NameCensus.

UK name, mostly boys

Maher

A masculine Arabic name meaning "shooter" or "skilled marksman".

For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2024. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.

Maher is mostly registered for boys in the UK records. People looking for Maher popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #1859, with 13 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2017, with 24 births.

This profile covers 309 England and Wales registrations across 27 recorded years from 1996 to 2024. 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 54% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.

We estimate that about 307 living people in the UK are called Maher. 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 2025 or 2026.

Key insights

  • Maher ranked #1859 for boys in England and Wales in 2024, with 13 registrations.
  • The name peaked in 2017, when 24 boys were registered as Maher.
  • About 307 living people in the UK are estimated to have Maher as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
  • Across the England and Wales records shown here, 97.8% of Maher registrations are for boys.

Latest rank (E&W)

#1859

2024

Births in 2024

13

Latest year

Peak year

2017

24 births

Estimated living

307

2026

Gender

Boy and girl registrations for Maher

In England and Wales birth records, Maher has been registered for both boys and girls. Across the years shown here, 97.8% of registrations are for boys and 2.2% 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.

98% boys
Boys309 (97.8%)Girls7 (2.2%)

Maher registered for boys

  • Ranked #1,859 in 2024
  • 13 boys registered in 2024
  • Peak: 2017 (24 births)

Maher registered for girls

  • Ranked #4,535 in 2020
  • 4 girls registered in 2020
  • Peak: 2020 (4 births)

Meaning

What does Maher mean?

The name Maher has its origins in the Arabic language and culture. It is derived from the Arabic word "mahr," which means "dowry" or "bridal gift." This name has been in use for centuries and has a rich history.

One of the earliest recorded examples of the name Maher dates back to the 7th century CE. It is mentioned in the Hadith, which is a collection of sayings and traditions attributed to the Prophet Muhammad. In the Hadith, the name Maher is used to refer to a man who was known for his generosity and kindness.

Throughout history, there have been several notable individuals who bore the name Maher. One of the most famous was Maher al-Nuwayri, an Egyptian historian and writer who lived in the 13th century CE. He is best known for his encyclopedic work, "Nihayat al-Arab fi Funun al-Adab," which covered a wide range of topics including history, geography, and literature.

Another notable figure was Maher al-Ashtar, a companion of the Prophet Muhammad and one of the most renowned military leaders of the early Islamic era. He played a crucial role in several battles and was known for his bravery and strategic skills.

In the 11th century CE, Maher al-Mawsili was a celebrated musician and composer from Baghdad. He was renowned for his contributions to the development of Arabic music and is considered one of the greatest musicians of his time.

The name Maher was also borne by Maher al-Shukayr, a Syrian poet and writer who lived in the 20th century. He was known for his powerful and evocative poetry, which explored themes of love, loss, and social justice.

Another notable individual with the name Maher was Maher Arar, a Syrian-born Canadian who gained international attention in the early 2000s. He was wrongfully detained and deported to Syria, where he was tortured and held without charges for over a year. His case sparked widespread outrage and led to significant changes in Canada's anti-terrorism policies.

While these are just a few examples, the name Maher has been carried by many influential figures throughout history, each leaving their mark in various fields such as literature, music, religion, and politics.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

Popularity

Maher over time

The chart below compares boys and girls registered as Maher in England and Wales, from 1996 to 2024. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.

For Maher, the clearest high point is 2017. The latest England and Wales figure is 13 births in 2024, compared with 24 at the peak.

Babies born per year

BoysGirls
07142027199620102024

Decades

Maher by decade

Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Maher 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
2020s #1500 85 5
2010s #1704 152 10
2000s #2324 61 9
1990s #2607 11 3

Related

Names similar to Maher

FAQ

Maher: questions and answers

How popular is the name Maher in the UK right now?

In 2024, Maher was ranked #1859 for boys in England and Wales, with 13 births registered.

When was Maher most popular?

The peak year on record was 2017, with 24 babies registered as Maher in England and Wales.

What is the meaning and origin of Maher?

A masculine Arabic name meaning "shooter" or "skilled marksman".

How many people are called Maher in the UK?

A total of 309 babies have been registered as Maher across the 27 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.