UK name, mostly boys
Anwaar
A masculine Arabic name meaning "the lights" or "illumination".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2009. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Also recorded as a girls' name in the UK, with 3 girls.
Anwaar is mostly registered for boys in the UK records. People looking for Anwaar popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2009 in this profile. In that release it ranked #3744, with 4 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2006, with 4 births.
This profile covers 8 England and Wales registrations across 2 recorded years from 2006 to 2009. The figures come from ONS England and Wales, so the page is a view of published baby-name registrations rather than a forecast or a live count of people using the name today.
The latest count is about 100% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 8 living people in the UK are called Anwaar. This uses published birth registrations from England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, then applies ONS national life tables to estimate how many are likely still alive. It does not forecast extra births for 2010 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Anwaar ranked #3744 for boys in England and Wales in 2009, with 4 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2006, when 4 boys were registered as Anwaar.
- • Anwaar is also recorded for girls, but the boys side is the larger UK variant in these records.
- • About 8 living people in the UK are estimated to have Anwaar as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
- • Across the England and Wales records shown here, 72.7% of Anwaar registrations are for boys.
Latest rank (E&W)
#3744
2009
Births in 2009
4
Latest year
Peak year
2006
4 births
Estimated living
8
2026
Gender
Boy and girl registrations for Anwaar
In England and Wales birth records, Anwaar has been registered for both boys and girls. Across the years shown here, 72.7% of registrations are for boys and 27.3% are for girls.
These figures use the sex categories in the published baby-name files. They are useful for spotting how the name is used at registration, but they are not a live measure of gender identity or everyone living with the name today.
Anwaar registered for boys
- Ranked #3,744 in 2009
- 4 boys registered in 2009
- Peak: 2006 (4 births)
Anwaar registered for girls
- Ranked #5,581 in 2021
- 3 girls registered in 2021
- Peak: 2021 (3 births)
Meaning
What does Anwaar mean?
The name Anwaar finds its origins in the Arabic language, with its roots tracing back to the ancient Middle Eastern region. Derived from the word "noor," which means "light" or "radiance," Anwaar is the plural form of this word, signifying "lights" or "illuminations."
In Islamic tradition, the concept of "noor" holds significant spiritual and religious connotations. It is often associated with divine guidance, enlightenment, and the pursuit of knowledge. The name Anwaar, therefore, carries a symbolic meaning, representing the idea of being a source of illumination or a beacon of light.
The earliest recorded instances of the name Anwaar can be found in ancient Arabic literature and historical records. One notable example is Anwaar al-Rasheed, a renowned Arab philosopher and scholar who lived in the 9th century CE. His contributions to the fields of philosophy, logic, and metaphysics were widely celebrated during the Islamic Golden Age.
Another historical figure bearing the name Anwaar was Anwaar al-Tanukhi, a 10th-century Arab writer and literary critic. He is best known for his work "Al-Faraj Ba'd al-Shiddah," which explored the themes of resilience and perseverance in the face of adversity.
In the realm of poetry, Anwaar al-Suhrawardi, a 12th-century Persian poet and mystic, is remembered for his profound spiritual verses. His poetic works often explored the mystical dimensions of love and the divine, reflecting the illuminating qualities associated with his name.
Fast-forwarding to more recent times, Anwaar Sadaat, an Egyptian singer and actress born in 1923, gained widespread popularity for her contributions to the Egyptian film industry. Her melodious voice and captivating performances earned her a place among the iconic figures of Arabic cinema.
Another notable figure was Anwaar Kakar, a renowned Afghan singer and musician who lived from 1952 to 2014. Known for his powerful vocals and his ability to blend traditional Afghan music with contemporary styles, Kakar's music resonated with audiences across generations.
The name Anwaar continues to be a popular choice in various parts of the Middle East and among Muslim communities worldwide, carrying the symbolic meaning of enlightenment and radiance. Its rich historical and cultural significance underscores the enduring appeal of this name throughout the ages.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Anwaar over time
The chart below compares boys and girls registered as Anwaar in England and Wales, from 2006 to 2021. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Anwaar, the clearest high point is 2006. The latest England and Wales figure is 4 births in 2009, compared with 4 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Anwaar by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Anwaar was a short-lived spike or a name that stayed in regular use. Average rank is calculated only from years where a published rank exists.
| Decade | Average rank | Total births | Years covered |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | #3565 | 8 | 2 |
Related
Names similar to Anwaar
- Alfie 86,546
- Alexander 85,525
- Adam 71,855
- Archie 59,965
- Arthur 43,586
- Aaron 36,366
- Alex 32,729
- Andrew 20,169
- Arlo 19,061
- Aidan 16,776
- Albie 16,017
- Albert 15,809
FAQ
Anwaar: questions and answers
How popular is the name Anwaar in the UK right now?
In 2009, Anwaar was ranked #3744 for boys in England and Wales, with 4 births registered.
When was Anwaar most popular?
The peak year on record was 2006, with 4 babies registered as Anwaar in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Anwaar?
A masculine Arabic name meaning "the lights" or "illumination".
How many people are called Anwaar in the UK?
A total of 8 babies have been registered as Anwaar across the 2 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here.
Which records is this page based on?
The England and Wales timeline uses ONS baby-name records. Scotland figures come from NRS and Northern Ireland figures come from NISRA. Counts are registrations in published baby-name files. The living estimate uses those birth registrations with ONS national life tables.