Uri - Name Meaning and Popularity -

Meaning of Uri

Uri, pronounced OO-ree, is a compact Hebrew choice meaning “my light,” and it has flickered on U.S. birth charts since 1913, usually between ranks 600 and 900 for both boys and girls. Rooted in the Hebrew Bible—Uri is named as the father of Bezalel, artisan of the first tabernacle—the name carries a quiet aura of craftsmanship and inspiration, traits modern audiences may also link to Israeli-British illusionist Uri Geller and other creative figures who share the two-syllable signature. Because the Hebrew ending makes the meaning possessive, many parents hear a personal blessing—“you are my light,” or, en español, “mi luz.” Its unisex character, global brevity, and clean phonetics let it travel from Jerusalem to Bogotá without missing a beat, and a recent uptick to 60 newborns in 2023 hints that more families are embracing its luminous simplicidad. In an era that prizes short, history-rich names like Eli and Leo, Uri delivers the same economy while adding a dash of cross-cultural brillo.