Najee
About Najee
Najee is a masculine name with likely Arabic origins, possibly derived from 'naji' (نَاجِي) meaning 'safe,' 'rescued,' or 'survivor.' The name gained usage in the United States particularly from the 1970s onward. Its popularity may have been influenced by notable bearers, including jazz saxophonist Najee (born Jerome Najee Rasheed) who rose to prominence in the 1980s. The name has a melodic two-syllable structure with a distinctive ending sound. While not among the most common names, it has maintained steady usage, particularly in communities with connections to Islamic naming traditions. The name's concise form and meaningful potential etymology contribute to its appeal as a choice that bridges traditional Arabic naming conventions with contemporary American naming patterns.
Pronounced nuh-JEE.
As of October 2026, Najee ranked #5535 in US births in 2025 SSA, peaked at #704 in 1993.
Popularity & trends
Data table
| Year | US rank | Births | Per million |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | #3,022 | 38 | 19.8 |
| 2015 | #3,653 | 30 | 15.7 |
| 2016 | #4,424 | 23 | 12.1 |
| 2017 | #3,561 | 31 | 16.7 |
| 2018 | #3,762 | 29 | 16 |
| 2019 | #3,468 | 33 | 18.4 |
| 2020 | #4,375 | 23 | 13.3 |
| 2021 | #3,221 | 37 | 21.1 |
| 2022 | #2,944 | 43 | 24.6 |
| 2023 | #3,687 | 31 | 18.1 |
| 2024 | #3,944 | 28 | 16.3 |
| 2025 | — | 0 | 0 |
Najee on lists
Famous Najees
- Najee Mondalek
Lebanese,American comedian
- Najee Goode
American NFL player
- Najee Harris
American college football player
- Najee Laurent Todd Eugene Smith (b. 1989)
son of rapper LL Cool J