Khairi

Khairi is a masculine given name of Arabic origin. It is derived from the root khair, meaning "goodness," "benefit," or "welfare" in Arabic. The suffix -i is a common element in Arabic-derived names and can convey belonging or relation, giving an approximate sense of "good-hearted" or "benevolent."

Usage and variants: The name is used across Muslim communities in the Arab world and widely in South Asia, Southeast Asia, and parts of Africa. Transliteration from Arabic yields several spellings, including Khairi, Khairy, and other variants such as Kaiyr or Kaiyry in different languages. In Malaysia and Indonesia, Khairy is a common spelling and may appear as a given name or, less often, as a surname. In some languages there are feminine forms, such as Khaira or Khairah, though these are less common and vary by locale.

Pronunciation: In standard Arabic, the initial sound is the voiceless velar fricative "kh," followed by a diphthong that is commonly rendered as "ai" and ending with a long "ee" sound. Local pronunciation can shift depending on language and region.

Cultural notes: Khairi is chosen for its positive meaning and religious-cultural associations with goodness and virtue. It exemplifies how Arabic-origin names have been adopted across diverse communities, sometimes with regional spelling and pronunciation variations.

See also: Khair (name).