UK boy's name
Nir
A masculine name of Hebrew origin meaning "ploughed field".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2001. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Nir is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Nir popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2001 in this profile. In that release it ranked #3134, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2001, with 3 births.
This profile covers 3 England and Wales registrations across 1 recorded years from 2001 to 2001. 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.
Nir is at its recorded peak in the England and Wales series.
We estimate that about 3 living people in the UK are called Nir. 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 2002 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Nir ranked #3134 for boys in England and Wales in 2001, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2001, when 3 boys were registered as Nir.
- • About 3 living people in the UK are estimated to have Nir as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#3134
2001
Births in 2001
3
Latest year
Peak year
2001
3 births
Estimated living
3
2026
Meaning
What does Nir mean?
The name Nir is believed to have originated from the Hebrew language and culture, with its roots dating back to ancient times. It is derived from the Hebrew word "nur," which means "light" or "illumination." This name carries a symbolic meaning associated with brightness, enlightenment, and clarity.
In the Hebrew tradition, the name Nir has been connected to various biblical and religious references. One notable mention is found in the book of Isaiah, where the word "nir" is used to describe the light of God's glory. Additionally, the name has been linked to the concept of spiritual enlightenment and the pursuit of divine wisdom.
The earliest recorded examples of the name Nir can be traced back to ancient Jewish communities in the Middle East and the Mediterranean region. Over the centuries, it has been borne by various individuals of Jewish descent, some of whom have made significant contributions in various fields.
One prominent historical figure with the name Nir was Nir Barkat, an Israeli businessman and politician who served as the Mayor of Jerusalem from 2008 to 2018. Born in 1959, Barkat played a crucial role in the development and revitalization of Jerusalem during his tenure.
Another notable person named Nir was Nir Kalfon, an Israeli singer and songwriter born in 1970. Kalfon gained recognition for his contributions to the Israeli music scene, particularly in the genre of Mediterranean music.
In the world of literature, Nir Baram, an Israeli author born in 1976, has garnered critical acclaim for his novels and short stories. His works often explore themes of identity, memory, and the complexities of modern Israeli society.
Nir Bitton, an Israeli professional football player born in 1991, has made a name for himself in the international football arena. He has represented Israel's national team and played for several prominent clubs, including Celtic F.C. in Scotland.
Lastly, Nir Peled, an Israeli actor and director born in 1976, has left his mark on the entertainment industry. He has starred in numerous television shows and films, both in Israel and internationally, and has also directed several acclaimed productions.
These are just a few examples of individuals throughout history who have borne the name Nir, each leaving their unique imprint on various fields and contributing to the cultural and historical significance of this name.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Decades
Nir by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Nir 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 | #3134 | 3 | 1 |
Related
Names similar to Nir
- Noah 72,596
- Nathan 46,860
- Nicholas 15,983
- Nathaniel 12,151
- Niall 5,746
- Nicolas 3,825
- Nico 3,532
- Nate 2,029
- Nikodem 1,872
- Noel 1,865
- Ned 1,614
- Neo 1,563
FAQ
Nir: questions and answers
How popular is the name Nir in the UK right now?
In 2001, Nir was ranked #3134 for boys in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Nir most popular?
The peak year on record was 2001, with 3 babies registered as Nir in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Nir?
A masculine name of Hebrew origin meaning "ploughed field".
How many people are called Nir in the UK?
A total of 3 babies have been registered as Nir across the 1 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.