Anwar
Meaningmore luminous · Arabic
Anwar is an Arabic boy name meaning “more luminous”. Arabic names are often chosen for a virtue or a blessing parents hope their child will carry. A meaning like this gives a child something to grow into, and a good story to tell when someone asks about their name. It sounds crisp and confident, it's easy to spell and quick to call across a playground, and it pairs well with middle names of almost any length.
Did you know?
- GenerationAnwar peaked in 1978, which makes it a Gen X name. The typical Anwar you'd meet today is about 47 years old.
- Roll callIn a typical school of 500 kids, your Anwar would very likely be the only one. About 1 in 45,045 baby boys got the name in 2025.
- HistoryAnwar first shows up in US birth records in 1969, the first year at least 5 babies got it. It has been in use for 56 years since.
- Where it's lovedWant to meet a lot of Anwars? Head to Minnesota, where it's the #718 boy name, its best showing of any state.
US births per million boys, 1969–2025
Most popular states (2025)
Save adds it to your list. Vote moves it up the top voted names.
Popularity: U.S. Social Security Administration (babies with 5+ births per year).
About the name Anwar
Anwar is a boy name of Arabic origin meaning “more luminous”. Its two syllables give it an easy rhythm, and the consonant at the end gives it a confident finish. It hit its peak in the 1970s and is climbing again now. It's rarely heard today, so it stands out while still being a real, established name.
Origin:Arabic names
More Arabic boy names
- Boy name: Caleb · dog, faithful
- Boy name: Silas · of the forest
- Boy name: Aaron · possibly exalted
- Boy name: Amir · prince, commander
- Boy name: Xavier · new house
- Boy name: Jasper · treasurer
- Boy name: Muhammad · praised
- Boy name: Omar · flourishing, long-lived
Questions about the name Anwar
What does the name Anwar mean?
Anwar means “more luminous” and comes from Arabic. Other boy names with a similar meaning include Munir (“radiant, luminous”), Muneer (“radiant, luminous”) and Mounir (“radiant, luminous”).
What is the origin of the name Anwar?
Anwar is Arabic in origin. Other Arabic names to consider are Caleb (“dog, faithful”), Silas (“of the forest”), Aaron (“possibly exalted”) and Amir (“prince, commander”).
Is Anwar a boy or girl name?
Anwar is a boy name. In 2025, 38 US boys were named Anwar.
How popular is the name Anwar?
Anwar ranked #3,128 for US boys in 2025, given to 38 babies. Its best year was 1978, when it reached #697. Over the last five years it has climbed 216 places.
What names are similar to Anwar?
If you like Anwar, you might also like Munir, Muneer and Mounir.
What should I know before naming my baby Anwar?
Anwar is an Arabic boy name meaning “more luminous”. Arabic names are often chosen for a virtue or a blessing parents hope their child will carry. A meaning like this gives a child something to grow into, and a good story to tell when someone asks about their name. It sounds crisp and confident, it's easy to spell and quick to call across a playground, and it pairs well with middle names of almost any length. Say it out loud with your last name and any middle names you're considering, and check the initials it makes.