Find out how popular the first name Damali has been for the last 48 years (from 1975 to 2022) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Damali by gender

Based on the last 48 years of data, Damali is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 2022, there were 5 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Damali.

The history of the first name Damali

The name Damali is of African origin, specifically from the Kiswahili language spoken in East Africa. It is derived from the Arabic word "dhamal," which means "beauty" or "beautiful one." The name is believed to have originated in the region around the 7th century AD, during the spread of Islamic culture and the Arabic language along the East African coast.

Damali was a popular name among the Swahili people of present-day Kenya, Tanzania, and parts of Mozambique. It was often given to daughters as a way of expressing the parents' hope for their child to grow up to be a beautiful and graceful woman, both inside and out.

In ancient Swahili literature and poetry, the name Damali is frequently used as a metaphor for a beloved or a woman of great beauty and virtue. Some of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the works of renowned Swahili poets and writers from the 16th and 17th centuries.

One of the most famous historical figures with the name Damali was Damali Mbikiwa, a Tanzanian singer and songwriter who was born in 1949 and passed away in 2005. She was known for her powerful voice and her contributions to the traditional Taarab music genre.

Another notable Damali was Damali Ayo (1963-2017), a renowned American author and playwright who wrote extensively about the African diaspora experience. Her works explored themes of identity, spirituality, and the resilience of the human spirit.

In the 19th century, Damali Nabudere (1833-1896) was a prominent leader of the Baganda people in present-day Uganda. She played a significant role in preserving the cultural traditions and customs of her people during the colonial era.

Damali Mukhaye (1924-2002) was a Ugandan politician and women's rights activist who served as a member of parliament and advocated for gender equality and education for girls.

Damali Abrams (born 1973) is a modern-day American artist and illustrator known for her vibrant and empowering depictions of Black women and girls. Her work celebrates the beauty and strength of the African diaspora.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Damali was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Damali, please contact us.

Reference this page

We spend a lot of resources downloading, cleaning, merging, and formatting the data that is shown on the site.

If you found the data or information on this page useful in your research, please use the tool below to properly cite or reference Name Census as the source. We appreciate your support!