Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Mahir
BoyArabic· “skilled”
- Meaning
- skilled
- Origin
- Arabic
- Pronunciation
- mah-HEER
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #1,405
- US babies 2025
- 130
- Best rank
- #1,405 (2025)
- Peak year
- 2025
Meaning and origin of Mahir
Mahir is an Arabic name that means “skilled”.
Mahir is an Arabic name meaning skilled, expert or proficient, from the root m-h-r, relating to skill and mastery. It is used in the Arab world, Turkey, the Balkans and South Asia, often as a name that reflects a hope for competence and talent. It is said mah-HEER, with stress on the second syllable. The name is short and strong, and it sounds natural in many languages. Mahira is the feminine form. Because of its crisp sound and positive meaning, Mahir is chosen by families seeking a traditional name that remains easy for English speakers to use.
Popularity over time
Mahir first appears in US Social Security records in 1977. 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, #1,405, and its highest count, 130 babies. Use has grown 128% in ten years.
Its national rank moved from #5,218 in 2000, #2,904 in 2010, and #1,405 in 2025. Of the 1,658 US boys named Mahir since records began, 41% were born in the 2020s, its biggest decade. The 2010s come next, with 593 babies.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Alder, Obadiah, Zade, Cam, and Aviel.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Mahir ranked highest in Minnesota, Washington, and Ohio.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota | #117 | 54 |
| Washington | #626 | 11 |
| Ohio | #738 | 12 |
| Georgia | #1473 | 5 |
| New York | #1507 | 7 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for boys.
Mahir is usually pronounced mah-HEER, with two syllables. It has five letters, starts with M and ends in “-ir”.
Middle names for Mahir
A few middle names that flow with Mahir: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Mahir
Similar names
Yasir Boy
YAH-seer
“wealthy; easy” · Arabic
#1,158
Amir Boy
uh-MEER
“prince, commander” · Arabic
#105
Nasir Boy
nah-SEER
“helper, supporter” · Arabic
#487
Samir Boy
suh-MEER
“companion in evening talk” · Arabic
#643
Emir Boy
eh-MEER
“prince, commander” · Arabic
#551
Zahir Boy
zuh-HEER
“evident, shining” · Arabic
#738
Kabir Boy
kuh-BEER
“great” · Arabic
#999
Mihir Boy
mih-HEER
“sun” · Sanskrit
#3,723
Aden Boy
AY-duhn
“little fire” · Irish
#1,008
Karim Boy
kuh-REEM
“generous, noble” · Arabic
#1,084
Sinclair Unisex
sin-KLAIR
“from Saint-Clair, a Norman place name” · Scottish
#4,740
Sami Boy
SAH-mee
“elevated, sublime” · Arabic
#1,114
Lists that include Mahir
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Mahir mean?
Mahir is an Arabic name that means “skilled”.
What is the origin of the name Mahir?
Mahir has Arabic roots. Mahir is an Arabic name meaning skilled, expert or proficient, from the root m-h-r, relating to skill and mastery.
Is Mahir a popular name?
Not especially. Mahir ranked #1,405 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Mahir a boy or girl name?
Mahir is mainly a boy's name. In the US it is used almost only for boys.
How do you pronounce Mahir?
Mahir is usually pronounced mah-HEER. 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