Daktari
Doctor or healer, derived from the Swahili word for doctor.
Name Census estimates that about 4 living Americans carry the first name Daktari. The name is used almost exclusively for boys. The average person named Daktari today is around 66 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Daktari births was 1966 (5 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Daktari. Below you will find a gender breakdown showing how the name splits between male and female registrations, a year-by-year popularity chart stretching back to 1880, decade-level totals, the top US states for this name, its meaning and etymology, and a set of frequently asked questions with data-backed answers.
Key insights
- • The typical person named Daktari is about 66 years old today, placing it firmly among the names of earlier generations. Most living Daktaris were born before 1970.
- • Fewer than 100 living Americans are believed to carry the name Daktari. It is among the rarest names in the SSA records.
People living today
4
~ 1 in 85,688,585 Americans
Peak year
1966
5 babies that year
Average age
66
years old
1966 SSA rank
#4,059
Tracked since 1966
Popularity
Daktari: popularity over time
Babies born per year
Decades
Daktari by decade
The table below breaks the full SSA timeline into ten-year windows. Each row shows how many male and female babies were given the name Daktari during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
| Decade | Male | Female | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s | 5 | 0 | 5 |
Origin
Meaning and history of Daktari
The name Daktari originates from the Swahili language, which is spoken in various regions of East Africa, particularly in Kenya and Tanzania. It is derived from the Swahili word "daktari," which means "doctor" or "physician." The name gained popularity during the mid-20th century, largely due to the success of the American television series "Daktari," which aired from 1966 to 1969.
Although the name Daktari is not a traditional African name, it has become increasingly common in East African countries, particularly among families who appreciate its unique and modern sound. It is often given to children with the hope that they will grow up to become respected and skilled medical professionals.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Daktari can be found in the 1966 television series of the same name. The show followed the adventures of Dr. Marsh Tracy, a veterinarian played by Marshall Thompson, who worked at a wildlife study center in East Africa. While the character's name was Marsh, the series' title, "Daktari," helped popularize the name.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Daktari. One of the most prominent was Daktari Tshibanda (born in 1958), a Congolese politician and former Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of Congo. He served as Prime Minister from 1997 to 1998 during a period of political turmoil in the country.
Another notable individual was Daktari Pema Wangchuk (1910-1998), a Bhutanese politician and diplomat who served as the Prime Minister of Bhutan from 1968 to 1972. He played a crucial role in modernizing Bhutan and establishing diplomatic relations with other countries.
In the field of education, Daktari Mwangola (born in 1952) is a Kenyan educator and former President of the Kenyatta University in Nairobi, Kenya. He served as the institution's president from 2006 to 2016 and was instrumental in promoting academic excellence and research.
The name Daktari has also been associated with the medical field, as exemplified by Daktari Radunovic (born in 1968), a Serbian physician and humanitarian worker. He has worked extensively in conflict zones and refugee camps, providing medical assistance to those in need.
Lastly, Daktari Dongo (born in 1958) is a Tanzanian artist and sculptor known for his intricate wood carvings and sculptures depicting African life and culture. His works have been exhibited internationally and are highly regarded for their craftsmanship and attention to detail.
While the name Daktari may have its origins in the Swahili language, it has transcended cultural boundaries and gained recognition worldwide, particularly among those who appreciate its unique meaning and connection to the medical profession and humanitarian efforts.
People
Daktari + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Daktari as the first name? Click a combination below to see the estimate, or search any pairing.
Related
Other names starting with D
Other first names starting with D with a similar number of bearers.
FAQ
Daktari: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Daktari?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 4 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Daktari going back to 1880 and adjusting each cohort for expected survival using CDC actuarial life tables. The result is an age-weighted living-bearer count, not a raw birth total. That works out to about 1 in 85,688,585 US residents.
Is Daktari a common name?
We classify Daktari as "Very Rare". It ranks above 6.2% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 5 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Daktari most popular?
The single biggest year for Daktari was 1966, when 5 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Daktari is about 66 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
What does the SSA popularity chart show?
The chart tracks births, not the number of people alive with the name today. Each point shows how many babies were given the name Daktari in that year. That makes it useful for spotting when the name rose, peaked, or faded.
Is Daktari a male name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Daktari in the SSA data are male. You can see the full per-sex comparison in the gender distribution section above, which includes the latest year rank, birth count, and peak year for each sex.
Is Daktari still being used today?
Yes. The SSA still recorded Daktari in 2024, and the page above shows its latest-year rank where available. A name can be well past its peak and still remain in steady use, especially if it built up a large population over earlier decades.
Why can a name have a lot of living bearers even if it is not trendy now?
Because living-bearer counts and current baby-name popularity measure different things. A name like Daktari can build up a very large population over many decades, even if fewer parents are choosing it now than they did at its peak.
Where does this data come from?
First-name figures come from the Social Security Administration's national baby name files, which cover every name on a birth certificate from 1880 to 2024. Living-bearer estimates layer in CDC actuarial life tables broken out by sex to account for mortality. The population baseline (342,754,338) is the Census Bureau's latest national estimate. You can read the full calculation on our methodology page.
Does every first name have Census demographic data?
No. The public Census first-name release only covers names that met the Bureau's publication rules, so many rarer names in the SSA files do not have a published Census demographic snapshot. In those cases, the page still shows the SSA trend, gender history, and state data.
How many people are called Daktari?
For a faster, more casual read, check HowManyOfMe.org — our sister site built around that single question.