Shakur

Primarily a boy's name of Arabic origin with 1,582 recorded births. Also given to 9 girls.

Boy's nameAlso girl's#2386 in 2024Rising fast

Meaning & Origin

A surname from Arabic.

Shakur is a boy's and girl's baby name of Arabic origin meaning 'grateful' or 'thankful.' Al-Shakur is one of the 99 names of Allah in Islam. The name became powerfully associated with Tupac Shakur (2Pac), one of rap's most celebrated and influential artists, whose music continues to shape hip-hop decades after his death.

EtymologyShow more

Phonetically, Shakur belongs to a cluster of names characterized by their sharp, distinct ending — ending on a consonant gives it a firm, clear close. At two syllables, it has a two-beat rhythm that is easy to call across a room and natural in conversation.

Within the Arabic naming tradition, names with similar sound structures often share underlying etymological patterns. Exploring Arabic names on this site may surface connections that illuminate Shakur’s linguistic neighborhood.

At a Glance

1,582

Total births

Since 1987

1997

Peak

119 births

1987

First recorded

38 years of data

Compare Shakur with another name

Popularity Over Time

Shakur climbed 143 spots in the last 20 years — from #2529 to #2386.

First appeared: 1987Peak: 1997 (119 births)Current: #2386

Popularity by Decade

Decade-by-decade popularity data for Shakur
Decade	Births	Avg Rank	Trend
2020s	300	#2338	▼
2010s	343	#3583	▼
2000s	395	#2934	▼
1990s	538	#1948	▲
1980s	6	#6813	—

The Story of Shakur

A Gen Z name

Peaking in 1997, Shakur is a name that defines a generation. Boys named Shakur are most likely born between 1987 and 2007.

How rare is Shakur?

Only about 1 in every 61,017 babies born in 2024 was named Shakur — a truly uncommon choice.

The journey through the decades

First appeared in the records in 1987, peaked in the 1990s with 538 births that decade, and remains solidly popular today.

Shakur by the numbers

Would fill 33 school buses
Meeting one Shakur per day would take 4.3 years

Year-by-Year Data

View complete yearly data(34 years, 1987–2024)

Year-by-year popularity data for the name Shakur
Year	Births	Rank	Change
2024	59	#2386	-5 (-7.8%)
2023	64	#2239	+8 (14.3%)
2022	56	#2488	-10 (-15.2%)
2021	66	#2167	+11 (20.0%)
2020	55	#2412	-8 (-12.7%)
2019	63	#2227	+14 (28.6%)
2018	49	#2609	+12 (32.4%)
2017	37	#3183	-6 (-14.0%)
2016	43	#2827	+11 (34.4%)
2015	32	#3499	+4 (14.3%)
2014	28	#3762	+1 (3.7%)
2013	27	#3844	+2 (8.0%)
2012	25	#4107	+6 (31.6%)
2011	19	#4955	-1 (-5.0%)
2010	20	#4817	-5 (-20.0%)
2009	25	#4141	+4 (19.0%)
2008	21	#4679	-13 (-38.2%)
2007	34	#3296	-1 (-2.9%)
2006	35	#3144	0
2005	35	#3006	-9 (-20.5%)

Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.

Shakur as a Girl's Name

While overwhelmingly a boy's name, Shakur has also been given to 9 girls in the U.S. since 1997.

Unranked

Current rank

Total births

1997

Peak year

Compare Shakur as boy vs girl

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Shakur a boy's or girl's name?

Shakur is primarily a boy's name. It is also used as a girl's name, with 9 recorded births.

When was Shakur most popular?

Shakur reached its peak popularity in 1997 with 119 births that year. It is currently ranked #2386 in the U.S.

How popular is the name Shakur?

Shakur is currently ranked #2386 in the U.S. (2024). It has been given to 1,582 babies since 1987.

Can Shakur be used for both boys and girls?

Yes, Shakur is used for both boys and girls. As a boy's name, it currently ranks #2386. As a girl's name, it is not currently in the top rankings.

Explore More

By Length6-letter names By OriginArabic names By EndingNames in -r TrendingRising names RankingsFull rankings

Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1987–2024