Azhar
Primarily a boy's name of Arabic origin with 289 recorded births. Also given to 147 girls.
Meaning & Origin
A surname from Arabic.
Azhar is a boy's and girl's baby name of Arabic origin, from the Arabic root z-h-r, meaning 'shining' or 'radiant' — the same root as the word for flower (zahra) and for the famous Al-Azhar University in Cairo, one of the world's oldest universities.
Azhar carries the luminous quality of its meaning — shining, radiant, blooming — making it a name of innate brightness. Al-Azhar Mosque and University in Cairo have made this root name one of the most intellectually associated in the Islamic world, connected for over a thousand years with scholarship and spiritual light.
EtymologyShow more
Azhar appeared in SSA records in 1979, placing it in the modern era of American naming — a period when parents increasingly began breaking from generational naming patterns, experimenting with spelling, and treating naming as a form of creative self-expression. Its Arabic roots may have been the starting point, adapted or respelled to fit contemporary American tastes.
With only 289 recorded births, Azhar has not been widely studied in naming literature — its story belongs primarily to the families who chose it.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Azhar climbed 1282 spots in the last 20 years — from #6172 to #4890.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Avg Rank | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 75 | #6500 | ▲ |
| 2010s | 71 | #9373 | ▼ |
| 2000s | 93 | #7814 | ▲ |
| 1990s | 40 | #7540 | ▲ |
| 1980s | 5 | #8006 | — |
| 1970s | 5 | #6130 | — |
The Story of Azhar
A Gen Alpha name
Peaking in 2022, Azhar is a fresh, modern favorite. Boys named Azhar are most likely born between 2012 and 2024.
How rare is Azhar?
Only about 1 in every 180,000 babies born in 2024 was named Azhar — a truly uncommon choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1979, gained momentum through the mid-century, peaked in the 2000s with 93 births that decade, and continues to thrive.
Azhar by the numbers
- Would fill 6 school buses
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(32 years, 1979–2024)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 20 | #4890 |
| 2023 | 10 | #7797 |
| 2022 | 21 | #4720 |
| 2021 | 7 | #9830 |
| 2020 | 17 | #5262 |
| 2019 | 8 | #8991 |
| 2018 | 12 | #6745 |
| 2017 | 9 | #8222 |
| 2016 | 8 | #8926 |
| 2015 | 10 | #7549 |
| 2014 | 5 | #12295 |
| 2013 | 6 | #10885 |
| 2011 | 6 | #10949 |
| 2010 | 7 | #9792 |
| 2009 | 10 | #7743 |
| 2008 | 10 | #7754 |
| 2007 | 5 | #12556 |
| 2006 | 10 | #7483 |
| 2005 | 9 | #7686 |
| 2004 | 12 | #6172 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Azhar as a Girl's Name
Though more common for boys, Azhar has a notable history as a girl's name too, with 147 births since 1990.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Azhar a boy's or girl's name?
When was Azhar most popular?
How popular is the name Azhar?
Can Azhar be used for both boys and girls?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1979–2024