Waris

♂ Boy

Pronounced WAH-riss /ˈwɑ.rɪs/High

Meaning: From Arabic warith/waris, 'heir, inheritor, successor' — also one of the names of God, al-WarithHigh

In 30 seconds: The heir, the one who inherits: Waris is Arabic for 'inheritor, successor' — one of the names of God, and the name of a beloved Punjabi Sufi poet. Dignified, weighty, and rich in legacy.

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Origin HighArabic

MeaningFrom Arabic warith/waris, 'heir, inheritor, successor' — also one of the names of God, al-Warith

U.S. rank (2025)#2598 ↗ Rising

2025 U.S. births51 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)

Peak year2025

Total births (all-time)≈ 277

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Waris comes from Arabic warith/waris, 'heir, inheritor, successor' — and al-Warith, 'the Inheritor', is one of the ninety-nine names of God. Borne by the Punjabi Sufi poet Waris Shah, it is a dignified name of legacy across South Asia.

In the U.S. it appears in South Asian Muslim families. Rare, heir at the root, and dignified.

Did you know? Waris Shah, the 18th-century Punjabi Sufi poet, wrote the great romance of Heer-Ranjha — so the name carries an air of poetry and devotion across South Asia.

Overall data confidence 82%

Arabic references — warith — etymology

Variations

WarithVares

Nicknames

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Famous Bearers

★Waris Dirie (1965-)
Somali supermodel and activist known for her memoir and anti-FGM campaigning
★Waris Hussein (1938-)
British-Indian film and television director who directed the first Doctor Who serial

If you like Waris…

Haris— a fellow -aris Arabic name, 'guardian'

Faris— the 'knight' companion name

Idris— another dignified Arabic name

Younis— another Arabic name

Yunis— another Arabic name

Explore names like Waris

By themearabic islamic south-asian

By meaningGod / Divine

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Waris mean?

Waris is Arabic for 'heir, inheritor, successor'; al-Warith is one of the names of God.

How do you pronounce Waris?

It's said WAH-riss /ˈwɑ.rɪs/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Waris a boy or girl name?

Waris is mainly a boy's name.

How popular is Waris?

Waris is a rare name in the U.S.