Zuri
Meaning of Zuri
Zuri is a two-syllable feminine given name that originates in Swahili, where the adjective zuri denotes “beautiful,” “good,” or more broadly “excellent in quality,” an etymology that endows the name with an intrinsic affirmative connotation without recourse to embellishment. First recorded in U.S. vital statistics during the mid-1970s, Zuri advanced from single-digit annual usages to a position inside the national Top 500 by 2012, thereafter climbing to its peak rank of 193 in both 2021 and 2022 before settling at 258 in the 2024 provisional data—an arc that suggests a diffusionary rather than fad-driven pattern of adoption. Phonetically rendered as ZOO-ree (/ˈzuːriː/), the name benefits from clear vowel-consonant symmetry, making it readily pronounceable across Anglophone dialects while retaining its East African linguistic integrity. Among English-speaking parents, Zuri is frequently selected for its cross-cultural resonance, succinct modern profile, and implicit celebration of beauty and virtue, factors that collectively sustain its visibility in contemporary American naming trends.
Pronunciation
Swahili
- Pronunced as ZOO-ree (/zuːriː/)
U.S. Popularity Chart
States Popularity Chart
Notable People Named Zuri
| Zuri Hall is an American entertainment reporter and TV personality, cohost of Access Hollywood, sideline reporter for American Ninja Warrior, and host of recent Miss USA and Miss Universe pageants. |
| Zuri Lawrence is an American boxer who fought from 1994 to 2009 and is best known for never scoring a knockout in 44 professional fights. |
| Zuri Alexis Tibby is an American model from Florida discovered at 15 who in 2016 became the first black Victorias Secret PINK spokesmodel. |
