Hari
Meaning of Hari
The name Hari is a male given name with deep roots in Indian and Indonesian cultures. Pronounced as HAH-ree (/hɑˈri/), it is derived from the Sanskrit word "Hari," which means "he who removes evil" or "the one who forgives." In Hindu mythology, Hari is an epithet for the god Vishnu, symbolizing preservation and protection. The name carries spiritual significance and is often associated with qualities of compassion and benevolence.
While Hari has maintained a modest presence in the United States, its unique cultural background makes it a distinctive choice. Over the years, its popularity has fluctuated slightly, with occurrences ranging from 5 to 35 newborns annually since 1968. For instance, in 2023, there were 29 newborns named Hari, ranking it at 3786 among baby names in the U.S.
A common variation of this name is Harry, which has broader recognition but lacks the same cultural richness. Choosing Hari can offer a meaningful connection to heritage while providing a timeless and globally resonant identity for your child.
Pronunciation
Indian (Hindi),Indonesian
- Pronunced as HAH-ree (/hɑˈri/)
U.S. Popularity Chart
States Popularity Chart
Notable People Named Hari
| Hari Singh Nalwa was the renowned Commander-in-chief of the Sikh Khalsa Fauj, known for expanding the frontier of the Sikh Empire to beyond the Indus River and up to the mouth of the Khyber Pass. |
| Hari Karthikeya Kondabolu is an American stand-up comedian and writer known for his comedy on race, inequity, and Indian stereotypes, as well as his work on Totally Biased with W. Kamau Bell and the documentary film The Problem with Apu. |
| Hari Nef is an American actress, model, and writer known for her breakthrough role as Gittel in the Amazon original series Transparent. |
| Harikrishnan is a prominent Indian film director known for his action and masala films in Tamil cinema, including the Singam film series. |
| Hari Kunzru - Hari Mohan Nath Kunzru is a British novelist and journalist known for his novels The Impressionist, Transmission, My Revolutions, Gods Without Men, White Tears, and Red Pill, which have been translated into twenty languages. |
| Hari Budha Magar is a Nepalese double above-knee amputee who made history by becoming the first DAK to summit mountains over 6,000m and Mount Everest. |
| Hari Sreenivasan - Hariharan "Hari" Sreenivasan is a prominent American broadcast journalist. |
| Hari Dhillon is a versatile American actor, recognized for his role as Michael Spence in the popular British medical drama series Holby City. |
| Mahamalla Hari Narayan Singh is the ring-name of Hari Narayan Singh. |
| Hari Ziyad is a screenwriter and author of the bestselling book Black Boy Out of Time, known for their work on LGBTQ representation and their diverse cultural background. |
| Rao Bahadur Hari Raoji Chiplunkar was a prominent reformer, activist, and philanthropist in the Bombay Presidency, known for his close association with Jyotirao Phule and his contributions to education in India. |
| Hari Om Sharan was a renowned Indian devotional singer and lyricist known for his dedication to singing devotional songs in praise of Hindu deities. |
| Harikeshan Thampi, known as Hari, is a prominent Indian actor and dubbing artist recognized for his contributions to Malayalam cinema, with over 50 acting credits and nearly 1,000 films dubbed. |
| Hari Kostov is a Macedonian politician who briefly served as the Prime Minister of Macedonia in 2004. |
| Hari Shankar Mishra, the current Governor of Madhesh Province, was appointed by the President of Nepal in August 2021 and is a former member of the House of Representatives. |
