Holding steady, #9,714 for boys today.
Popularity of Anuar since 1981
Babies named Anuar per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 2005, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Anuar's real moment was 2021.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1980s | 10 |
| 1990s | 37 |
| 2000s | 108 |
| 2010s | 105 |
| 2020s | 69 |
Meaning & origin
Anuar is a name that has been used in the United States since 1981, never breaking into common usage. It peaked in popularity in 2021, when it ranked highest, though still very rare. In 2025, approximately 1 in 244,011 newborns received the name, placing it at rank 9,714. The trajectory of its usage has been stable, with no dramatic swings. Its top-recorded year was 2021, and it has not seen any strong regional concentration in the U.S. The name's appeal lies in its multicultural resonance, linking to Arabic and Kazakh traditions, and its melodic sound makes it a distinctive choice for families seeking a rare but meaningful name.
Anuar is a name with multiple potential origins. In Arabic, it is a variant of Anwar, meaning 'rays of light' or 'luminous'. In Kazakh, Anuar is a given name meaning 'benefactor' or 'one who does good deeds'. The name has been used across Muslim-majority regions and gained some traction in Western countries as a distinctive alternative to Anwar.
“Anuar” around the world
Where Anuar lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
5
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Anu
Variants: Anwar
Sibling names for Anuar
Names that share Anuar's style, for a brother or sister.
