UK boy's name
Munir
Meaning "enlightened" or "illuminated" 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.
Munir is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Munir popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #3254, with 6 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2008, with 10 births.
This profile covers 163 England and Wales registrations across 28 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 60% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 162 living people in the UK are called Munir. 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
- • Munir ranked #3254 for boys in England and Wales in 2024, with 6 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2008, when 10 boys were registered as Munir.
- • About 162 living people in the UK are estimated to have Munir as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#3254
2024
Births in 2024
6
Latest year
Peak year
2008
10 births
Estimated living
162
2026
Meaning
What does Munir mean?
The name Munir originates from the Arabic language and culture, with its roots dating back to the 7th century CE. It is derived from the Arabic word "nur," which means light or illumination. The name can be interpreted as "the one who brings light" or "the illuminator."
In Islamic tradition, the name Munir is often associated with the concept of divine guidance and enlightenment. It is believed to have been used by early Muslim scholars and religious figures, although specific historical references are scarce.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Munir can be found in the writings of the renowned Arab poet and philosopher Al-Mutanabbi, who lived from 915 to 965 CE. He mentioned a person named Munir in one of his poems, indicating the name's usage during that era.
Throughout history, several notable figures have borne the name Munir. One of the most prominent was Munir al-Haddad (1891-1949), a Syrian politician and diplomat who served as the President of the Syrian Republic from 1932 to 1936. Another influential figure was Munir Khan (1924-2003), a Pakistani cricketer and captain who led the national team in the 1950s and 1960s.
In the realm of literature, Munir Niazi (1928-2006) was a celebrated Urdu poet and writer from Pakistan, known for his contributions to the progressive literary movement. Munir Amrav (1934-2013) was a renowned Moroccan painter and sculptor, whose works explored themes of identity and cultural heritage.
Munir Bashir (1930-1997) was an Iraqi musician and composer, widely regarded as a pioneer of modern Iraqi music. His compositions blended traditional Iraqi melodies with contemporary influences, leaving a lasting impact on the country's musical landscape.
While these examples highlight some of the notable historical figures who carried the name Munir, it is important to note that the name has been used across various cultures and regions, reflecting its enduring appeal and significance.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Munir over time
The chart below shows babies named Munir registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, 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 Munir, the clearest high point is 2008. The latest England and Wales figure is 6 births in 2024, compared with 10 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Munir by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Munir 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 | #3363 | 22 | 4 |
| 2010s | #3001 | 67 | 10 |
| 2000s | #2525 | 59 | 10 |
| 1990s | #2551 | 15 | 4 |
Related
Names similar to Munir
- 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
Munir: questions and answers
How popular is the name Munir in the UK right now?
In 2024, Munir was ranked #3254 for boys in England and Wales, with 6 births registered.
When was Munir most popular?
The peak year on record was 2008, with 10 babies registered as Munir in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Munir?
Meaning "enlightened" or "illuminated" of Arabic origin.
How many people are called Munir in the UK?
A total of 163 babies have been registered as Munir across the 28 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.