Anwar
Anwar is a boys' name of Arabic origin meaning “luminous, radiant, full of light.” Anwar derives from 'nur' (light), meaning the most luminous or full of light.
Torn between Anwar and another name? Ask family and friends to vote
how do you pronounce Anwar?
AN-war
where does the name Anwar come from?
The English transliteration of the Arabic male name ʿAnwar (أنور), meaning luminous, used by both Arab Christians and Muslims. A related feminine form, ʿAnwār, means a collection of lights, and as a plain adjective anwar is comparative, meaning more enlightened.
Light is one of the most powerful symbols in Islamic culture — one of the 99 names of Allah is An-Nur (The Light). The name carries aspirations of spiritual illumination and moral clarity.
how popular is this name?
Anwar has appeared in the US top 1,000 in 6 years since 1978, and fell outside it for 1. It peaked at #697 in 1978, and ranked #951 in 1984.
See the milestone years
| Year | Rank |
|---|---|
| 1984 | #951 |
| 1983 | #956 |
| 1982 | #741 |
| 1981 | #730 |
| 1979 | #914 |
| 1978 | #697 |
Source: SSA National Baby Names Dataset (through 2025). Years absent from the table are years Anwar fell outside the top 1,000.
who are famous people named Anwar?
- Anwar Sadat (President of Egypt, Nobel Peace Prize laureate)
- Anwar Ibrahim (Prime Minister of Malaysia)
what names are similar to Anwar?
what names go well with Anwar?
Sibling names that share Anwar's rhythm and register without echoing it too closely.
quick answers about Anwar
What does the name Anwar mean?
Anwar means “luminous, radiant, full of light”.
What is the origin of the name Anwar?
Anwar comes from the Arabic naming tradition.
How popular is the name Anwar?
Anwar ranked #951 in the US in 1984, according to Social Security data.
Is Anwar a boy or girl name?
Anwar is primarily a boys' name.
How do you pronounce Anwar?
Anwar is pronounced AN-war, with 2 syllables.
Last updated · Curated by HushName editorial
love Anwar? get 10 more names curated for your family.
Popularity rankings and meanings are just the starting point. Our AI consultant finds names that match your heritage, style, and what matters most to you.
Completely free. No credit card required.
Start your free session