A 1970s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Akbar since 1960
Babies named Akbar per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1960s | 44 |
| 1970s | 132 |
| 1980s | 77 |
| 1990s | 89 |
| 2000s | 86 |
| 2010s | 102 |
| 2020s | 67 |
Meaning & origin
Akbar is an Arabic name meaning 'greater' or 'greatest,' often used in Islamic contexts. In the United States, the name has been recorded since 1960, with a peak in 1975. As of 2025, it ranks 6,446 and is given to about 1 in 131,390 boys. The name has seen a gradual rise in use since 1985. While not common in any single state, it carries historical weight through figures like the Mughal emperor Akbar. Its religious significance in Islam lends it enduring appeal among Muslim families.
Akbar is the Arabic elative form of kabir, meaning 'great,' thus 'greater' or 'greatest.' It is commonly used as a divine attribute in Islam, as in Allahu Akbar ('God is great'). As a personal name, it has been borne across the Arabic-speaking world and South Asia, most famously by the Mughal emperor Akbar the Great (1542-1605).
Sibling names for Akbar
Names that share Akbar's style, for a brother or sister.
