UK boy's name
Meer
A form of "emir" meaning "commander" or "prince" of Arabic origin.
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.
Meer is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Meer popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #1108, with 26 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2023, with 29 births.
This profile covers 266 England and Wales registrations across 26 recorded years from 1998 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 90% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 264 living people in the UK are called Meer. 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
- • Meer ranked #1108 for boys in England and Wales in 2024, with 26 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2023, when 29 boys were registered as Meer.
- • About 264 living people in the UK are estimated to have Meer as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#1108
2024
Births in 2024
26
Latest year
Peak year
2023
29 births
Estimated living
264
2026
Meaning
What does Meer mean?
The name Meer has its origins in the Persian language, where it means "prince" or "leader." This name has been in use since ancient times, with records dating back to the Achaemenid Empire in the 6th century BCE.
One of the earliest recorded individuals with the name Meer was Meer Jafar, a Persian nobleman who served as the vizier (prime minister) to the Abbasid Caliph Al-Mansur in the 8th century CE. Meer Jafar is remembered for his pivotal role in the establishment of the Abbasid Caliphate in Baghdad.
During the Mughal Empire in India, the name Meer gained popularity among the ruling elite. One notable figure was Meer Qasim, the Nawab of Bengal, who played a significant role in the struggles against the British East India Company in the late 18th century.
In the realm of literature, the name Meer is associated with the celebrated Persian poet Meer Taqi Meer (1723-1810), whose works are considered masterpieces of Urdu poetry. His poems explored themes of love, spirituality, and the human condition.
Another famous bearer of the name was Meer Anees (1801-1874), an Indian scholar, poet, and linguist who made significant contributions to the preservation and promotion of Urdu literature. His works are widely studied and appreciated throughout South Asia.
Meer Wilayat Ali Khan (1828-1887) was a prominent Indian statesman and philanthropist who served as the Prime Minister of Hyderabad State in the 19th century. He is remembered for his efforts in promoting education and social reforms.
The name Meer has also been associated with individuals from various other cultures and regions, reflecting its widespread usage and adaptations over time. However, its roots can be traced back to the Persian language and the rich cultural heritage of the Middle East and South Asia.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Meer over time
The chart below shows babies named Meer registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1998 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 Meer, the clearest high point is 2023. The latest England and Wales figure is 26 births in 2024, compared with 29 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Meer by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Meer 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 | #1273 | 112 | 5 |
| 2010s | #2468 | 92 | 10 |
| 2000s | #2695 | 53 | 9 |
| 1990s | #2376 | 9 | 2 |
Related
Names similar to Meer
- Matthew 80,931
- Mohammed 74,321
- Muhammad 72,235
- Max 59,807
- Michael 47,075
- Mason 38,935
- Mohammad 25,910
- Morgan 15,994
- Muhammed 11,527
- Mark 11,336
- Marcus 11,257
- Maxwell 10,006
FAQ
Meer: questions and answers
How popular is the name Meer in the UK right now?
In 2024, Meer was ranked #1108 for boys in England and Wales, with 26 births registered.
When was Meer most popular?
The peak year on record was 2023, with 29 babies registered as Meer in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Meer?
A form of "emir" meaning "commander" or "prince" of Arabic origin.
How many people are called Meer in the UK?
A total of 266 babies have been registered as Meer across the 26 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.