Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Anwar
BoyArabic· “brighter, more luminous”
- Meaning
- brighter, more luminous
- Origin
- Arabic
- Pronunciation
- AHN-wahr
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #3,129
- US babies 2025
- 38
- Best rank
- #697 (1978)
- Peak year
- 1978
Meaning and origin of Anwar
Anwar is an Arabic name that means “brighter, more luminous”.
Anwar is an Arabic name meaning brighter or more luminous, a form related to nur, light. It is used across the Arab world and in South and Southeast Asia. Well-known bearers include Anwar Sadat, president of Egypt, who shared the Nobel Peace Prize, and Anwar Ibrahim, a leading Malaysian politician. The name is said AHN-wahr, with both syllables given their full weight. It is short, direct and easy to spell in English. Other names built on the idea of light, from the same area of Arabic vocabulary, include Nur and Munir.
Popularity over time
Anwar first appears in US Social Security records in 1969. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 6 different years, starting in 1978. Its best national rank was #697 in 1978, the same year it reached its highest count of 144 babies. In 2025, 38 babies were named Anwar, and it ranked #3,129 nationally. Its use has been fairly steady over the past decade.
Its national rank moved from #1,166 in 1980, #2,139 in 2000, #2,470 in 2010, and #3,129 in 2025. Of the 2,761 US boys named Anwar since records began, 27% were born in the 1980s, its biggest decade. The 2000s come next, with 515 babies. Since 2010, 641 more have been named Anwar.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Dedrick, Jamin, Antione, Zebulon, and Jameel.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Anwar ranked highest in Minnesota and California.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota | #723 | 6 |
| California | #2497 | 5 |
Gender, sound and spelling
About 95% of US babies named Anwar over the last 20 years were boys, with a small share of girls.
Anwar is usually pronounced AHN-wahr, with two syllables. It has five letters, starts with A and ends in “-ar”.
Middle names for Anwar
A few middle names that flow with Anwar: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Anwar
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Lists that include Anwar
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Anwar mean?
Anwar is an Arabic name that means “brighter, more luminous”.
What is the origin of the name Anwar?
Anwar has Arabic roots. Anwar is an Arabic name meaning brighter or more luminous, a form related to nur, light.
Is Anwar a popular name?
Not especially. Anwar ranked #3,129 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Anwar a boy or girl name?
Anwar is mainly a boy's name. About 95% of US babies named Anwar over the last 20 years were boys, with a small share of girls.
How do you pronounce Anwar?
Anwar is usually pronounced AHN-wahr. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings