NameCensus.

UK boy's name

Zuhayr

Of Arabic origin meaning "bright" or "little bright one".

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.

Zuhayr is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Zuhayr 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 2014, with 13 births.

This profile covers 133 England and Wales registrations across 24 recorded years from 1997 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 54% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.

We estimate that about 132 living people in the UK are called Zuhayr. 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

  • Zuhayr ranked #2921 for boys in England and Wales in 2024, with 7 registrations.
  • The name peaked in 2014, when 13 boys were registered as Zuhayr.
  • About 132 living people in the UK are estimated to have Zuhayr 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

2014

13 births

Estimated living

132

2026

Meaning

What does Zuhayr mean?

The name Zuhayr is of Arabic origin, derived from the word "zahir" meaning "brilliant" or "shining." It has its roots in the ancient Arabian culture, where it was a common name given to boys in the pre-Islamic era.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Zuhayr can be found in the works of the renowned Arab poet, Zuhayr bin Abi Sulma (520-609 AD). He was a celebrated figure during the pre-Islamic era and is considered one of the most influential poets of the Muallaqat, a collection of seven long Arabic poems. His poetic works have been widely studied and celebrated for their linguistic mastery and cultural significance.

In Islamic literature, the name Zuhayr appears in the famous hadith (sayings of Prophet Muhammad) collection, Sahih al-Bukhari. It mentions a companion of the Prophet named Zuhayr bin Qays, who was present during the Battle of Badr in 624 AD, a pivotal event in the early history of Islam.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Zuhayr. One such figure was Zuhayr bin Abi Sulma (620-692 AD), an Arab poet and warrior who lived during the early days of Islam. He was known for his eloquence and military prowess, serving as a commander under the Umayyad Caliphate.

Another prominent figure was Zuhayr ibn Muhalhil al-Tamimi (753-813 AD), a renowned Arab mathematician and astronomer from Baghdad. He made significant contributions to the field of mathematics, particularly in the development of algebraic equations and the study of spherical trigonometry.

In modern times, the name Zuhayr has been carried by several influential personalities. Zuhayr Murad (1935-2005) was a Palestinian poet and writer, renowned for his powerful and evocative works that explored themes of resistance, exile, and the Palestinian struggle.

Zuhayr Baibars (1938-1992) was an influential Syrian poet and playwright, known for his controversial and politically charged works that challenged societal norms and critiqued the ruling regimes of his time.

Zuhayr Qudsi (born 1953) is a renowned Syrian novelist and short story writer, whose works have been widely translated and have garnered international acclaim for their rich narratives and exploration of social and political themes.

The name Zuhayr has a rich heritage and a long-standing presence in the Arab world, carrying connotations of brilliance, eloquence, and cultural significance. Its enduring popularity throughout history reflects the profound impact of Arabic literature, poetry, and intellectual discourse on the global community.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

Popularity

Zuhayr over time

The chart below shows babies named Zuhayr registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1997 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 Zuhayr, the clearest high point is 2014. The latest England and Wales figure is 7 births in 2024, compared with 13 at the peak.

Babies born per year

Zuhayr
0371013199720102024

Decades

Zuhayr by decade

Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Zuhayr 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 #3117 31 5
2010s #3550 44 8
2000s #2832 47 9
1990s #2001 11 2

Related

Names similar to Zuhayr

FAQ

Zuhayr: questions and answers

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

In 2024, Zuhayr was ranked #2921 for boys in England and Wales, with 7 births registered.

When was Zuhayr most popular?

The peak year on record was 2014, with 13 babies registered as Zuhayr in England and Wales.

What is the meaning and origin of Zuhayr?

Of Arabic origin meaning "bright" or "little bright one".

How many people are called Zuhayr in the UK?

A total of 133 babies have been registered as Zuhayr across the 24 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.