Shakir
Meaningthankful · Arabic
Shakir is an Arabic boy name meaning “thankful”. 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 simple to spell and say, and it pairs well with middle names of almost any length.
Did you know?
- Word funShakir doesn't repeat a single letter: 6 letters, all different.
- Scrabble scoreIf names were allowed in Scrabble, Shakir would score 13 points, thanks largely to the K (worth 5).
- GenerationShakir peaked in 1993, which makes it a Millennial name. The typical Shakir you'd meet today is about 32 years old.
- Roll callIn a typical school of 500 kids, your Shakir would very likely be the only one. About 1 in 131,579 baby boys got the name in 2025.
- HistoryShakir first shows up in US birth records in 1971, the first year at least 5 babies got it. It has been in use for 54 years since.
US births per million boys, 1971–2025
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 Shakir
Shakir is a boy name of Arabic origin meaning “thankful”. 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 1990s, so it feels familiar without being trendy. 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 Shakir
What does the name Shakir mean?
Shakir means “thankful” and comes from Arabic. Other boy names with a similar meaning include Hamed (“thankful, praising”), Bongani (“be thankful”), Shaker (“thankful”) and Siyabonga (“we are thankful”).
What is the origin of the name Shakir?
Shakir 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 Shakir a boy or girl name?
Shakir is a boy name. In 2025, 13 US boys were named Shakir.
How popular is the name Shakir?
Shakir ranked #6,446 for US boys in 2025, given to 13 babies. Its best year was 1993, when it reached #1,407. Over the last five years it has slipped 747 places.
What names are similar to Shakir?
If you like Shakir, you might also like Hamed, Bongani, Shaker and Siyabonga.
What should I know before naming my baby Shakir?
Shakir is an Arabic boy name meaning “thankful”. 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 simple to spell and say, 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.