Barack

Hebrew; also Swahili from Arabic

"thunderbolt, lightning; or blessing"

Barack Origin and Meaning

The name Barack is boy's name of Arabic, Hebrew, Swahili origin meaning "thunderbolt, lightning; or blessing".

The name of the 44th president, which he inherited from his Kenyan father, is related to the Swahili word "baraka," meaning "blessing," derived from the Arabic "baracka." It is linked, through the Semitic root, to the Hebrew name Baruch. Barack is also sometimes an alternate spelling of the Hebrew name Barak, which stems from the Semitic word for "lightning." Barack Obama may have found it a difficult name to grow up with, but the same won't be true for the many babies starting to be given that name. Other parents are being inspired to use Obama, which is a common surname among the Luo people of East Africa meaning "to lean or bend."

Barack Popularity

• 1916 Nameberry 2021