Makhi is a spelling of Mekhi, a modern American name of uncertain origin that is usually explained as a short, fresh form of Malachi, "my messenger", or of Micah. Actor Mekhi Phifer brought the name to attention in the late 1990s, and the a spelling followed. Makhi entered the top 1000 in 2005, peaked at number 874 in 2012, stood at number 1037 in 2015 and ranks 1787 in 2025.