Declining since 2016, #5,861 for boys today.
Popularity of Nizar since 1979
Babies named Nizar per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1970s | 6 |
| 1980s | 5 |
| 1990s | 55 |
| 2000s | 93 |
| 2010s | 167 |
| 2020s | 75 |
Meaning & origin
Nizar is a masculine Arabic name with deep roots in pre-Islamic Arab history. It has seen modest but consistent use in the United States since 1979, with a peak rank of 5,861 in 2025 and a peak year of 2017. Its trajectory has been falling since 2016, yet it remains a recognizable choice within Arabic-speaking communities. The name's historical weight and distinctive sound give it a steady appeal among parents seeking a name that is both traditional and uncommon in English-speaking contexts.
Nizar derives from the Arabic root n-z-r, which carries meanings related to alertness, vigilance, and determination. It is best known as the name of Nizar ibn Ma'ad, a pre-Islamic patriarch of the northern Arab tribes, making the name historically significant among Arab lineages. In the Islamic era, it continued as a given name across the Arabic-speaking world, often chosen for its strong, virtuous connotations.
“Nizar” around the world
Where Nizar lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
25
babies in 2024
Quebec
5
babies in 2025
Sources: INSEE (France) · Retraite Québec (Quebec).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Zari
Variants: Nizam, Nizar al-Islam
Sibling names for Nizar
Names that share Nizar's style, for a brother or sister.
