Rising since 1990, #1,401 for boys today.
Popularity of Mahir since 1977
Babies named Mahir per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1970s | 10 |
| 1980s | 18 |
| 1990s | 80 |
| 2000s | 274 |
| 2010s | 593 |
| 2020s | 683 |
Meaning & origin
Mahir is an Arabic name meaning 'skilled' or 'expert,' reflecting a quality of mastery that parents may wish for their child. Since its first recorded U.S. appearance in 1977, the name has seen a steady rise in use, especially from the 1990s onward. In 2025, it ranked #1401, with a frequency of about 1 in 13,139 births, and reached its peak popularity in that same year. The name is most common in Minnesota, Washington, and Ohio, suggesting a growing appeal across diverse communities. Its straightforward pronunciation and positive meaning make it a distinctive choice that has gained traction without becoming overly common.
Mahir comes from the Arabic root m-h-r, meaning 'to be skilled' or 'expert.' It has been used as a given name across the Arabic-speaking world for centuries, prized for its positive connotation of competence and mastery. The name also appears in Turkish and other languages influenced by Arabic, with similar meanings.
Where Mahir is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Mahir” around the world
Where Mahir lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
65
babies in 2024
Ireland
6
babies in 2025
Sources: INSEE (France) · CSO Ireland (Ireland).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Mahi
Sibling names for Mahir
Names that share Mahir's style, for a brother or sister.
