Declining since 2022, #8,362 for girls today.
Popularity of Safari since 1992
Babies named Safari per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 72 | 0 |
| 2000s | 52 | 0 |
| 2010s | 144 | 57 |
| 2020s | 101 | 81 |
Meaning & origin
Safari is a modern word name that first entered U.S. birth records in 1992, reflecting a trend toward adventurous, place- and journey-inspired names. It has never been common; its peak popularity came in 2022, after which its frequency has declined. In 2025, approximately 1 in 133,939 newborns received the name, ranking it #8,362. Its usage is scattered across the country with no strong regional concentration. While Safari remains rare, it fits alongside other nature and travel names like Savannah and Sierra, and offers a distinctive option for parents seeking a name with a sense of exploration.
Safari is a relatively recent coinage as a given name, derived from the English noun 'safari,' which entered the language in the late 19th century via Kiswahili 'safari' (journey), itself from Arabic 'safar' (travel). The name began appearing on U.S. birth certificates in the 1990s, but has never been common. Its use as a personal name reflects a broader trend of adopting adventure-themed word names.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Saf, Saffy, Ari
Sibling names for Safari
Names that share Safari's style, for a brother or sister.
