UK girl's name
Manar
A feminine Arabic name meaning "radiance" or "lighthouse".
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.
Manar is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Manar popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #5891, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2003, with 15 births.
This profile covers 179 England and Wales registrations across 24 recorded years from 1999 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 20% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 178 living people in the UK are called Manar. 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
- • Manar ranked #5891 for girls in England and Wales in 2024, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2003, when 15 girls were registered as Manar.
- • About 178 living people in the UK are estimated to have Manar as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#5891
2024
Births in 2024
3
Latest year
Peak year
2003
15 births
Estimated living
178
2026
Meaning
What does Manar mean?
The name Manar has its origins in the Arabic language and culture, and it can be traced back to the medieval period in the Middle East region. The name is derived from the Arabic word "manara," which means "lighthouse" or "beacon." It is a metaphorical representation of guidance and illumination.
One of the earliest recorded usages of the name Manar can be found in the writings of renowned Arab poets from the 9th and 10th centuries. These poets often used the name as a metaphor to describe the beauty and radiance of their muses or beloved ones, likening them to a guiding light or a beacon in the darkness.
While the name Manar does not have any direct references in religious scriptures, it has been widely used in the Islamic world due to its positive connotations of enlightenment and guidance. Some historical records suggest that the name gained popularity during the golden age of the Islamic civilization, which saw a flourishing of arts, sciences, and literature.
Throughout history, several notable figures have borne the name Manar. One of the earliest recorded examples is Manar al-Mawsili (777-862 CE), a renowned Arabic musician and theorist who made significant contributions to the development of Arabic music theory and notation.
Another prominent figure was Manar al-Athar (1126-1193 CE), a Syrian philosopher and scholar who authored several influential works on Islamic theology and Sufism. His writings had a profound impact on the intellectual discourse of his time.
In the modern era, Manar Zaher (1938-2020) was a renowned Egyptian actress and singer who gained fame for her performances in numerous Arabic films and television shows. She was widely regarded as one of the most influential and iconic actresses of her generation in the Arab world.
Manar Sami (born 1979) is a Palestinian writer and activist who has been widely recognized for her work in promoting women's rights and advocating for social justice causes in the Middle East. Her writings and advocacy efforts have garnered international acclaim.
Manar Mahmoud (born 1985) is an Iraqi-Canadian architect and urban designer who has gained recognition for her innovative and sustainable architectural projects in various parts of the world. She has received numerous awards and accolades for her work in promoting environmentally-conscious design practices.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Manar over time
The chart below shows babies named Manar registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1999 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 Manar, the clearest high point is 2003. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2024, compared with 15 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Manar by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Manar 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 | #4268 | 26 | 5 |
| 2010s | #3130 | 70 | 9 |
| 2000s | #2329 | 80 | 9 |
| 1990s | #3900 | 3 | 1 |
Related
Names similar to Manar
- Megan 70,884
- Mia 67,204
- Molly 47,734
- Millie 44,390
- Maisie 32,671
- Matilda 29,965
- Maya 26,445
- Madison 18,441
- Maria 17,304
- Mollie 15,914
- Martha 15,116
- Maddison 14,918
FAQ
Manar: questions and answers
How popular is the name Manar in the UK right now?
In 2024, Manar was ranked #5891 for girls in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Manar most popular?
The peak year on record was 2003, with 15 babies registered as Manar in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Manar?
A feminine Arabic name meaning "radiance" or "lighthouse".
How many people are called Manar in the UK?
A total of 179 babies have been registered as Manar across the 24 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.