Holding steady, #5,208 for boys today.
Popularity of Askari since 1993
Babies named Askari per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 2016, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Askari's real moment was 2025.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1990s | 34 |
| 2000s | 63 |
| 2010s | 100 |
| 2020s | 89 |
Meaning & origin
Askari is a masculine Arabic name meaning 'soldier,' directly derived from the word for military personnel. It has been in use in the United States since 1993, and its popularity has remained stable over time: in 2025 it ranked 5,208, with an incidence of about 1 in 94,893 births. The name reached its peak popularity in 2025, though it remains relatively rare. Askari has not been recorded in any U.S. state disproportionately, reflecting its even but limited distribution. The name carries strong cultural resonance in the Arab world and East Africa, where 'askari' was widely used as a military rank or term for a guard. Its straightforward meaning and solid sound give it a dignified, no-frills appeal.
Askari derives from the Arabic word 'askarī (عسكري), meaning 'soldier' or 'military man.' It is related to the Arabic noun 'askar (عسكر), meaning 'army,' which itself traces back to the Persian lashkar. The name has been used across the Arabic-speaking world, East Africa (via Swahili askari), and among Muslim populations in South Asia, often as a given name or surname denoting strength and service.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Askar, Kari
Variants: Askar, Asgari, Askary
Sibling names for Askari
Names that share Askari's style, for a brother or sister.
