Noah Boy
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Haider
BoyArabic, Persian· “lion; epithet of Ali”
- Meaning
- lion; epithet of Ali
- Origin
- Arabic, Persian
- Pronunciation
- HY-dur
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #2,063
- US babies 2025
- 72
- Best rank
- #2,063 (2025)
- Peak year
- 2025
Meaning and origin of Haider
Haider is an Arabic and Persian name that means “lion; epithet of Ali”.
Haider is an Arabic and Persian name meaning lion, from haydar. It is best known as an epithet of Ali ibn Abi Talib, the cousin and son-in-law of the Prophet Muhammad, who in tradition was called Haydar by his mother. The name is especially popular among Shia Muslims and is common in Pakistan, Iraq and Iran. Haider Ali, an eighteenth-century ruler of Mysore in India, is a historical bearer. It is said HY-dur. Haidar and Hyder are related spellings. In Urdu and Punjabi, Haider is often paired with Ali as a compound name.
Popularity over time
Haider first appears in US Social Security records in 1985. It has never ranked in the national top 1,000, which keeps it genuinely uncommon. It is at its all-time high right now: 2025 brought both its best national rank, #2,063, and its highest count, 72 babies. Use has grown 44% in ten years.
Its national rank moved from #3,973 in 2000, #4,412 in 2010, and #2,063 in 2025. Of the 1,077 US boys named Haider since records began, 36% were born in the 2010s, its biggest decade. The 2020s come next, with 342 babies.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Saleem, Jhon, Farhan, Javari, and Fahad.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Haider ranked highest in New Jersey, Maryland, and Illinois.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey | #554 | 13 |
| Maryland | #847 | 5 |
| Illinois | #1067 | 7 |
| New York | #1156 | 10 |
| Georgia | #1418 | 5 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for boys.
Haider is usually pronounced HY-dur, with two syllables. It has six letters, starts with H and ends in “-er”.
Middle names for Haider
A few middle names that flow with Haider: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Haider
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Lists that include Haider
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Haider mean?
Haider is an Arabic and Persian name that means “lion; epithet of Ali”.
What is the origin of the name Haider?
Haider has Arabic and Persian roots. Haider is an Arabic and Persian name meaning lion, from haydar.
Is Haider a popular name?
Not especially. Haider ranked #2,063 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Haider a boy or girl name?
Haider is mainly a boy's name. In the US it is used almost only for boys.
How do you pronounce Haider?
Haider is usually pronounced HY-dur. 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