Holding steady.
Popularity of Damali since 1971
Babies named Damali per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1970s | 113 |
| 1980s | 55 |
| 1990s | 117 |
| 2000s | 43 |
| 2010s | 5 |
| 2020s | 5 |
Meaning & origin
Damali is a rare and modern name in the United States, first appearing in birth records in 1971. Its usage peaked the following year in 1972, but unlike many names from that era, it did not sustain momentum. The name's trajectory has been stable with very low frequency, and it has never entered the top 1000 rankings. Its meaning is uncertain, but it may draw from African languages such as Yoruba or Swahili, reflecting a broader trend among African American families in the 1970s of embracing names with cultural significance. Despite its obscurity, Damali carries a melodic quality and remains a distinctive choice for parents seeking a unique name with possible African roots.
The name Damali may have roots in the Yoruba language, where it could relate to beauty, or in Swahili, where similar words exist. Its exact derivation is uncertain, and it appears to be a modern coinage in the United States, first recorded in the 1970s. It has seen sporadic use since then, primarily among African American families.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Dama, Mali
Sibling names for Damali
Names that share Damali's style, for a brother or sister.
