Rising since 1987, #3,949 for boys today.
Popularity of Azhar since 1979
Babies named Azhar per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 0 | 5 |
| 1980s | 0 | 5 |
| 1990s | 10 | 40 |
| 2000s | 24 | 93 |
| 2010s | 73 | 71 |
| 2020s | 50 | 102 |
Meaning & origin
Azhar first appeared on U.S. birth certificates in 1979, and since 1987 it has been on a steady upward trajectory. In 2025, the name reached its peak rank of 3,949, with a frequency of about 1 in 63,262 newborns. The name is most common in Pennsylvania, which tops the list of states where Azhar is given. As a name of Arabic origin meaning 'most brilliant,' Azhar carries both religious and scholarly prestige, most notably through Al-Azhar University. Its modern resurgence reflects a broader trend of parents choosing Arabic names that combine spiritual resonance with a sleek, two-syllable sound.
Azhar is a masculine and occasionally feminine name of Arabic origin, derived from the root z-h-r, meaning 'to shine, blossom, or flourish.' It is the elative form of the adjective 'zahir,' meaning 'bright' or 'shining.' The name is associated with Al-Azhar University in Cairo, one of the oldest universities in the world, whose name means 'the most luminous.' Azhar has been used across the Muslim world for centuries.
Where Azhar is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Azhar” around the world
Where Azhar 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: Az, Zah, Zari
Variants: Azher, Azharuddin
Sibling names for Azhar
Names that share Azhar's style, for a brother or sister.
