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Barack

Hebrew; also Swahili from Arabic
"thunderbolt, lightning; or blessing"
icon / arrow-up18% this week
Clare Green
By Clare Green
Updated Sat Apr 12 2025

Barack Origin and Meaning

The name Barack is a 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."

# 3811 on Nameberry

Barack Rank in Nameberry Top 1000

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Popularity of the name Barack

20 Names Similar to Barack

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Famous People Named Barack

  • Barack Hussein Obama II
    44th U.S. president

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