Mahir
Meaningskilled · Arabic
Mahir is an Arabic boy name meaning “skilled”. 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?
- AnagramShuffle the letters of Mahir and you get Hiram. Same letters, different name.
- GenerationMahir is having its moment right now. Most Mahirs are still in diapers or at preschool, so picture a Gen Alpha or Gen Beta kid.
- Roll callIn a typical school of 500 kids, your Mahir would very likely be the only one. About 1 in 13,141 baby boys got the name in 2025.
- HistoryMahir first shows up in US birth records in 1977, the first year at least 5 babies got it. It has been in use for 48 years since.
- Where it's lovedWant to meet a lot of Mahirs? Head to Minnesota, where it's the #116 boy name, its best showing of any state.
US births per million boys, 1977–2025
Most popular states (2025)
Similar names
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 Mahir
Mahir is a boy name of Arabic origin meaning “skilled”. Its two syllables give it an easy rhythm, and the consonant at the end gives it a confident finish. It has been around for generations, yet it's never been more loved than it is today. 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 Mahir
What does the name Mahir mean?
Mahir means “skilled” and comes from Arabic. Other boy names with a similar meaning include Maher (“skilled”), Daksh (“skilled, able”), Takumi (“artisan, skilled craftsman”) and Hodari (“strong and skilled”).
What is the origin of the name Mahir?
Mahir 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 Mahir a boy or girl name?
Mahir is a boy name. In 2025, 130 US boys were named Mahir.
How popular is the name Mahir?
Mahir ranked #1,401 for US boys in 2025, given to 130 babies. That's its best rank ever: the name is at the height of its popularity right now. Over the last five years it has climbed 220 places.
What names are similar to Mahir?
If you like Mahir, you might also like Maher, Daksh, Takumi and Hodari.
What should I know before naming my baby Mahir?
Mahir is an Arabic boy name meaning “skilled”. 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.