NameCensus.

UK boy's name

Waqar

A masculine Arabic name meaning "dignity" or "honor".

For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2011. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.

Waqar is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Waqar popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2011 in this profile. In that release it ranked #3830, with 4 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 1996, with 45 births.

This profile covers 189 England and Wales registrations across 15 recorded years from 1996 to 2011. The figures come from ONS England and Wales and NRS Scotland, 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 9% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.

We estimate that about 190 living people in the UK are called Waqar. 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 2012 or 2026.

Key insights

  • Waqar ranked #3830 for boys in England and Wales in 2011, with 4 registrations.
  • The name peaked in 1996, when 45 boys were registered as Waqar.
  • Waqar ranks best in Scotland in the latest published regional snapshot for that area, where it placed #375 in 1994.
  • About 190 living people in the UK are estimated to have Waqar as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.

Latest rank (E&W)

#3830

2011

Births in 2011

4

Latest year

Peak year

1996

45 births

Estimated living

190

2026

Meaning

What does Waqar mean?

The name Waqar is of Arabic origin and is derived from the root word "waqar" which means dignity, respect, or esteem. It is believed to have originated in the Arabian Peninsula during the medieval period.

Waqar is a name that holds a significant place in Islamic history and literature. It is mentioned in various texts and scriptures, including the Quran, where it is used to describe the qualities of reverence and awe. In the Hadith, the sayings of the Prophet Muhammad, the name is often used to emphasize the importance of maintaining dignity and respect in one's conduct.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Waqar can be found in the writings of the famous Arab poet and scholar, Al-Mutanabbi, who lived in the 10th century. He often used the term "waqar" to describe the noble and dignified qualities of his patrons and subjects.

Throughout history, several prominent figures have borne the name Waqar. One notable example is Waqar Ali Shah (1822-1887), who was the last Nawab of Oudh, a princely state in British India. He is remembered for his patronage of the arts and his efforts to preserve the cultural heritage of his region.

Another famous bearer of the name was Waqar Younis (1965-present), a former Pakistani cricketer who is widely regarded as one of the greatest fast bowlers of all time. He played for the Pakistani national team from 1989 to 2003 and is known for his incredible pace and accuracy.

In the field of literature, Waqar Ahmed Gardezi (1928-2007) was a renowned Urdu poet and writer from Pakistan. His poetry often explored themes of love, spirituality, and social issues, earning him numerous awards and accolades.

Waqar Hasan (1891-1949) was an influential Indian freedom fighter and politician who played a significant role in the Indian independence movement. He served as a member of the Constituent Assembly of India and was actively involved in shaping the country's post-independence policies.

Another notable figure was Waqar Ul Hasan (1932-2009), a Pakistani artist and calligrapher who was renowned for his intricate calligraphic works and his contributions to the preservation of Islamic art and culture.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

Popularity

Waqar over time

The chart below shows babies named Waqar registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1996 to 2011. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.

For Waqar, the clearest high point is 1996. The latest England and Wales figure is 4 births in 2011, compared with 45 at the peak.

Babies born per year

Waqar
011233445199620032011

Decades

Waqar by decade

Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Waqar 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
2010s #3581 9 2
2000s #2118 75 9
1990s #769 105 4

Geography

Where Waqar is most common

The bars show the latest published local birth counts for Waqar. They are useful for spotting where the name is showing up in real numbers, while the rank beside each bar shows how strongly it performs inside that region.

Waqar ranks best in Scotland in the latest published regional snapshot for that area, where it placed #375 in 1994.

Scotland
3

Across the UK

Waqar in Scotland and Northern Ireland

Scotland (NRS)

#375 in 1994

1 years of NRS records, 3 total registered

Related

Names similar to Waqar

FAQ

Waqar: questions and answers

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

In 2011, Waqar was ranked #3830 for boys in England and Wales, with 4 births registered.

When was Waqar most popular?

The peak year on record was 1996, with 45 babies registered as Waqar in England and Wales.

What is the meaning and origin of Waqar?

A masculine Arabic name meaning "dignity" or "honor".

How many people are called Waqar in the UK?

A total of 189 babies have been registered as Waqar across the 15 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here, plus 3 more in Scotland.

Where is Waqar most common?

In the latest published local rankings, Waqar ranks best in Scotland, where it placed #375 in 1994. The regional bars on this page use birth counts, so they also reflect the size of each region.

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.