Uri is a name of Hebrew origin, derived from the root word "or," which means "light." In the Bible, it is mentioned as the name of one of the sons of Heth, an ancestor of Abraham. Uri was also the name of a prophet in the Old Testament who predicted the destruction of Jerusalem.
The name Uri has been used throughout history by various notable figures. One famous bearer of this name was Uriah the Hittite, a warrior in King David's army mentioned in the Book of Samuel in the Old Testament. Another prominent figure was Uri Geller, an Israeli-born British illusionist and spoon bender who gained fame in the 1970s.
Uri is also found in other cultures and languages. In Russian, Uri means "dawn" or "first light," reflecting its association with brightness and illumination. In some Slavic cultures, Uri is considered a male given name meaning "eastern."
Today, Uri continues to be used as a masculine given name in various parts of the world, particularly among Jewish communities. It remains a unique and meaningful choice for parents seeking a name with biblical roots and historical significance.
The name Uri has seen a varied pattern of popularity over the past decade and a half in the United States. Between 2007 and 2023, there were a total of 127 babies named Uri born each year.
The most popular years for the name Uri were 2016 and 2017, with 11 births each year. Interestingly, the name also saw a significant increase in popularity from 2019 to 2020, with 16 births in 2019 and 17 in 2020.
However, there were also years where Uri was less common, such as 2008 and 2009, with only 7 and 5 births respectively. Additionally, the number of babies named Uri decreased from 2020 to 2021, dropping from 17 to 11 births.
Overall, while the name Uri may not have been one of the most popular choices in recent years, it has maintained a steady presence in the United States with an average of about 8 babies named Uri born each year over the past 16 years.