Holding steady, #12,008 for boys today.
Popularity of Bakary since 2000
Babies named Bakary per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 2010, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Bakary's real moment was 2018.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 2000s | 46 |
| 2010s | 74 |
| 2020s | 22 |
Meaning & origin
Bakary is a distinctive West African name that has seen modest but steady use in the United States since the early 2000s. It first appeared on the Social Security Administration's baby name list in 2000, and its popularity peaked in 2018, when it ranked highest among U.S. births. As of 2025, the name sits at rank 12,008 with about 1 in every 341,615 newborn boys receiving the name. While its exact meaning is debated, it is widely recognized as a variant of Bakari, a name common among Mandinka and Mande-speaking peoples. The name has not been associated with any specific U.S. state or top-performing regions, indicating its use is scattered across the country. Bakary remains a relatively rare choice, appealing to families seeking a name with strong African roots and a melodic, three-syllable sound.
Bakary is a name most commonly found in West Africa, particularly among the Mandinka and other Mande-speaking peoples. It is often considered a variant of Bakari, which derives from the Manding word 'baka' meaning 'noble' or 'promising.' The name has been used throughout the region for generations and was brought to other parts of the world through diaspora and migration.
“Bakary” around the world
Where Bakary lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
70
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Bak, Baks
Sibling names for Bakary
Names that share Bakary's style, for a brother or sister.
