Rafiki

Arabic

"friend, companion, gentle, kind"

Rafiki Origin and Meaning

The name Rafiki is a boy's name.

Rafiki is a masculine name of Swahili origin meaning "friend" or "companion." The name gained significant recognition through the wise mandrill character in Disney's "The Lion King," who serves as a spiritual guide and advisor. This positive association has contributed to its appeal outside of East Africa. The name embodies qualities of wisdom, loyalty, and supportive friendship. While traditional in Swahili-speaking regions of East Africa, particularly Kenya and Tanzania, Rafiki remains relatively uncommon in Western countries. Parents who choose this name often appreciate its meaningful definition, melodic sound, or cultural significance. Its distinctive character makes it stand out while still being relatively easy to pronounce across different languages.

The name Rafiki in Pop Culture

• Rafiki the wise monkey from "The Lion King"
• The word rafiki is Swahili and means friend which is what Rafiki was to the animals on "The Lion King."