UK boy's name
Zaheer
An Arabic name meaning "shining," "bright," or "luminous.".
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.
Zaheer is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Zaheer popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #2921, with 7 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2011, with 14 births.
This profile covers 176 England and Wales registrations across 27 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 50% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 175 living people in the UK are called Zaheer. 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
- • Zaheer ranked #2921 for boys in England and Wales in 2024, with 7 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2011, when 14 boys were registered as Zaheer.
- • About 175 living people in the UK are estimated to have Zaheer as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#2921
2024
Births in 2024
7
Latest year
Peak year
2011
14 births
Estimated living
175
2026
Meaning
What does Zaheer mean?
The name Zaheer has its origins in the Arabic language and is derived from the word "zahir," which means "shining," "brilliant," or "luminous." It is a traditionally Muslim name that has been in use for centuries.
In the Islamic world, the name Zaheer is believed to have first appeared in the 7th century CE, during the time of the Prophet Muhammad and the early spread of Islam. It may have been inspired by verses from the Quran that describe the divine light or radiance of God.
One of the earliest recorded individuals with the name Zaheer was Zaheer bin Qais, a renowned Arab poet who lived in the 6th century CE. He was known for his eloquence and mastery of the Arabic language.
Another notable figure in history with the name Zaheer was Zaheer al-Din Baibars, a Mamluk sultan who ruled over Egypt and Syria during the 13th century CE (1260-1277). He was a skilled military leader and played a pivotal role in defending the region against the Mongol invasions.
In the 14th century, Zaheer al-Din Muhammad Babur, the founder of the Mughal Empire in India, was born in 1483. He was a descendant of Genghis Khan and is famous for his memoirs, the Baburnama, which provide valuable insights into the cultural and political landscape of the time.
During the 17th century, Zaheer al-Din Muhammad Aurangzeb, the sixth Mughal emperor, ruled over a vast territory in the Indian subcontinent from 1658 to 1707. He was known for his expansionist policies and for upholding Islamic traditions and laws during his reign.
In more recent times, Zaheer Abbas, a Pakistani cricketer who played from 1969 to 1985, was a prominent figure with this name. He was a skilled batsman and is considered one of the greatest cricketers in Pakistan's history.
These are just a few examples of individuals who have carried the name Zaheer throughout history, reflecting its enduring significance and presence across various cultures and time periods.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Zaheer over time
The chart below shows babies named Zaheer 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 Zaheer, the clearest high point is 2011. The latest England and Wales figure is 7 births in 2024, compared with 14 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Zaheer by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Zaheer 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 | #4038 | 18 | 4 |
| 2010s | #2654 | 79 | 10 |
| 2000s | #2609 | 55 | 9 |
| 1990s | #2001 | 24 | 4 |
Related
Names similar to Zaheer
- Zachary 29,362
- Zak 9,988
- Zain 7,620
- Zac 7,272
- Zack 7,101
- Zakariya 5,447
- Zach 4,754
- Zayn 4,326
- Zachariah 3,234
- Zion 3,141
- Zane 2,818
- Zayd 2,609
FAQ
Zaheer: questions and answers
How popular is the name Zaheer in the UK right now?
In 2024, Zaheer was ranked #2921 for boys in England and Wales, with 7 births registered.
When was Zaheer most popular?
The peak year on record was 2011, with 14 babies registered as Zaheer in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Zaheer?
An Arabic name meaning "shining," "bright," or "luminous.".
How many people are called Zaheer in the UK?
A total of 176 babies have been registered as Zaheer across the 27 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.