Nadira
A girl's name of Arabic origin with 1,020 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
Nadira has 1,020 recorded U.S. births across 52+ years, peaking at 45 in 2000. It occupies the space between “never heard of it” and “everyone has one in their class” — a name that feels personal without being obscure.
In the most recent SSA release, Nadira ranks #7460 among U.S. girl names — distinctive enough to stand out.
Nadira is a girl's baby name of Arabic origin meaning 'rare' or 'precious.' In Arabic, nadir refers to something extraordinary in its scarcity — the linguistic root also gives English the word 'nadir' (the lowest point), but in naming contexts Nadira is always about rarity as a form of preciousness.
Elegant and meaningful, Nadira is used across Arab, Persian, and South Asian Muslim communities. It carries a quiet confidence — this name knows it describes something exceptional.
EtymologyShow more
Nadira first shows up in U.S. Social Security records in 1972. First appearing in the 1970s, Nadira emerged during a period of rapid naming innovation in America, when parents increasingly created new names or adopted them from global cultures.
Its Arabic classification suggests a path from arabic linguistic traditions into American usage, though the specific route — whether through immigration, literature, or cultural exchange — would require deeper historical research.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Nadira was #4669 twenty years ago and has since drifted to #7460, but its charm endures.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Avg Rank | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 70 | #8181 | ▼ |
| 2010s | 197 | #6815 | ▼ |
| 2000s | 306 | #4637 | ▲ |
| 1990s | 222 | #4924 | ▲ |
| 1980s | 139 | #6039 | ▲ |
| 1970s | 86 | #5728 | — |
The Story of Nadira
A Gen Z name
Peaking in 2000, Nadira is a name that defines a generation. Girls named Nadira are most likely born between 1990 and 2010.
How rare is Nadira?
Only about 1 in every 240,000 babies born in 2024 was named Nadira — a truly uncommon choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1972, grew steadily over the decades, peaked in the 2000s with 306 births that decade, and has gracefully settled into a quieter chapter.
Nadira by the numbers
- Would fill 21 school buses
- Meeting one Nadira per day would take 2.8 years
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(53 years, 1972–2024)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 15 | #7460 |
| 2023 | 13 | #8350 |
| 2022 | 14 | #7920 |
| 2021 | 19 | #6332 |
| 2020 | 9 | #10843 |
| 2019 | 21 | #5927 |
| 2018 | 14 | #8037 |
| 2017 | 19 | #6457 |
| 2016 | 22 | #5928 |
| 2015 | 10 | #10646 |
| 2014 | 14 | #8367 |
| 2013 | 23 | #5782 |
| 2012 | 20 | #6507 |
| 2011 | 24 | #5675 |
| 2010 | 30 | #4823 |
| 2009 | 24 | #5841 |
| 2008 | 26 | #5537 |
| 2007 | 26 | #5482 |
| 2006 | 31 | #4653 |
| 2005 | 40 | #3704 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Nadira a boy's or girl's name?
When was Nadira most popular?
How popular is the name Nadira?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1972–2024