Holding steady, #3,128 for boys today.
Popularity of Anwar since 1969
Babies named Anwar per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1960s | 6 |
| 1970s | 487 |
| 1980s | 735 |
| 1990s | 377 |
| 2000s | 515 |
| 2010s | 422 |
| 2020s | 219 |
Meaning & origin
Anwar is an Arabic name with a luminous meaning, favored for its positive connotations and cultural resonance. In the United States, it first appeared on the Social Security list in 1969 and reached its peak rank of 931 in 1978. As of 2025, it ranks 3,128, with an incidence of 1 in 44,949, indicating it is uncommon but still in steady use. The trajectory has been stable in recent decades, with the highest concentration in Minnesota and California. The name's association with Egyptian leader Anwar Sadat gives it a historical weight, though it remains a distinctive choice for families seeking a meaningful, cross-cultural name.
Anwar is an Arabic masculine name derived from the root n-w-r, meaning 'light.' It is the elative form of the adjective 'nawwar,' meaning 'bright' or 'luminous,' thus translating to 'brighter' or 'most bright.' The name has been favored across the Arabic-speaking world and among Muslim communities globally. It also serves as a surname, most famously borne by Egyptian President Anwar Sadat.
Where Anwar is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Anwar” around the world
Where Anwar lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
15
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: An, Wari
Sibling names for Anwar
Names that share Anwar's style, for a brother or sister.
