Safari as a Baby Name. Meaning and Origin of Safari

What is the meaning of the name Safari ?

The baby name Safari is a Unisex name , 3 syllables long and is pronounced /səˈfɑːri/ (suh-FAH-ree).

Safari is Swahili in Origin.

Safari is a modern unisex given name drawn from Swahili safari, “journey; expedition,” itself from Arabic safar (سفر) “to travel, journey.” The term entered English in the late nineteenth century through East African trade and colonial contact and soon came to denote overland expeditions to observe wildlife. As a personal name, Safari carries connotations of adventure, exploration, and purposeful movement.

Usage as a given name is rare but rising in English-speaking countries since the late 20th century, appearing most for girls in recent U.S. records while remaining solidly unisex. Variant spellings include Safarie and Safarii; related names are Safar (Arabic male name) and Musafir (“traveler”). Informal nicknames such as Saf or Saffy occur. In multicultural contexts the name can honor Swahili or broader East African heritage, or simply express a love of travel and the natural world. The meaning stays transparent across languages, making Safari an accessible, evocative choice.