Maher
A boy's name of Irish origin with 1,109 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
A surname from Irish.
Maher is a boy's baby name of Arabic origin, meaning 'skilled' or 'expert,' from the Arabic root mahara (to be skilled, to be proficient). It is used across Arab countries as a name expressing mastery and competence.
A name meaning skilled and expert sets an aspiration of mastery — this child will be excellent at whatever he turns his hands to. Maher is used from Morocco to Iraq, carrying the same message of capability and competence across the Arabic-speaking world. It's a name that quietly declares: this person does things well.
EtymologyShow more
Maher is built from 5 letters and two syllables — a mid-length form that balances memorability with distinctiveness. Within the Irish naming tradition, this brevity is common among names that have been worn down through centuries of use, shedding syllables along the way.
The interplay of consonants and vowels in Maher creates its characteristic active, energetic quality. Two-syllable names are the most common length in American naming, hitting a natural speech rhythm that works across formal and informal contexts.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Maher climbed 1751 spots in the last 20 years — from #5684 to #3933.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Avg Rank | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 164 | #3530 | ▼ |
| 2010s | 314 | #3676 | ▲ |
| 2000s | 181 | #5098 | ▼ |
| 1990s | 202 | #3692 | ▲ |
| 1980s | 148 | #3291 | ▲ |
| 1970s | 88 | #3562 | ▲ |
| 1960s | 12 | #4111 | — |
The Story of Maher
A Gen Alpha name
Peaking in 2023, Maher is a fresh, modern favorite. Boys named Maher are most likely born between 2013 and 2024.
How rare is Maher?
Only about 1 in every 128,571 babies born in 2024 was named Maher — a truly uncommon choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1963, gained momentum through the mid-century, peaked in the 2010s with 314 births that decade, and remains solidly popular today.
Maher by the numbers
- Would fill 23 school buses
- Meeting one Maher per day would take 3 years
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(55 years, 1963–2024)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 28 | #3933 |
| 2023 | 41 | #3035 |
| 2022 | 31 | #3662 |
| 2021 | 30 | #3706 |
| 2020 | 34 | #3313 |
| 2019 | 35 | #3314 |
| 2018 | 39 | #3031 |
| 2017 | 40 | #2984 |
| 2016 | 35 | #3270 |
| 2015 | 37 | #3129 |
| 2014 | 39 | #2963 |
| 2013 | 30 | #3550 |
| 2012 | 21 | #4624 |
| 2011 | 18 | #5114 |
| 2010 | 20 | #4785 |
| 2009 | 14 | #6305 |
| 2008 | 14 | #6284 |
| 2007 | 16 | #5591 |
| 2006 | 12 | #6739 |
| 2005 | 23 | #4008 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Maher a boy's or girl's name?
When was Maher most popular?
How popular is the name Maher?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1963–2024