Holding steady, #3,517 for girls today.
Popularity of Sahar since 1971
Babies named Sahar per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1970s | 119 |
| 1980s | 439 |
| 1990s | 632 |
| 2000s | 495 |
| 2010s | 478 |
| 2020s | 290 |
Meaning & origin
Sahar entered U.S. birth records in 1971 and reached its peak popularity in 1996, with a current rank of 3,517 as of 2025. The name has a stable trajectory, with top usage in Texas. It is given to approximately 1 in 37,378 girls today. The name's cross-cultural appeal is rooted in its shared meaning of 'dawn' across Arabic, Persian, and Hebrew, making it a poetic choice with international resonance.
Sahar derives from the Arabic root s-h-r, meaning 'dawn' or 'daybreak.' It is used across the Arabic-speaking world and in Persian and Hebrew contexts, where it carries similar meanings. The name has been in use in the English-speaking world since the late 20th century, likely due to increased cultural exchange and appreciation for names with positive natural imagery.
Where Sahar is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Sahar” around the world
Where Sahar 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: Sari
Variants: Sahara
Sibling names for Sahar
Names that share Sahar's style, for a brother or sister.
