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Home › Baby Names Directory › Zahir

Zahir

♂ Boy

Pronounced zah-HEER /zɑːˈhɪər/High

Meaning: From Arabic zahir (ظاهِر), meaning 'radiant,' 'shining,' or 'apparent'; also a form of the Arabic root z-h-r related to support and help; Al-Zahir is one of the 99 names of Allah meaning 'The Manifest One'High

In 30 seconds: Zahir is a luminous Arabic name meaning 'radiant' or 'manifest,' carrying the dignity of one of the divine names of Allah. Strong, melodic, and increasingly recognized across cultures, it is a beautiful choice with deep Islamic roots.
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Origin HighArabic
MeaningFrom Arabic zahir (ظاهِر), meaning 'radiant,' 'shining,' or 'apparent'; also a form of the Arabic root z-h-r related to support and help; Al-Zahir is one of the 99 names of Allah meaning 'The Manifest One'
U.S. rank (2025)#738 ↗ Rising
2025 U.S. births356 boys (0.02% of U.S. boys)
Peak year2025
Total births (all-time)≈ 4,773

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 202519732025

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

Zahir is an Arabic name from the root z-h-r, meaning radiance, manifestation, and support. It appears in the Quran and Islamic tradition as one of the divine names. The name has been used across the Arab world, South Asia, and the broader Muslim world for centuries.

In the United States, Zahir has been growing steadily in Muslim American communities and has attracted wider attention for its strong sound and positive meaning. Author Paulo Coelho's novel The Zahir (2005) also gave the name literary visibility.

Did you know? Al-Zahir (The Manifest One) is one of the 99 names of Allah in Islam, representing the divine quality of being outwardly evident and radiant. Naming a son Zahir thus bestows a name connected to divine radiance — a meaningful act in Muslim naming tradition.
Overall data confidence 90%
Behind the Name — Zahir — etymology and Islamic significanceU.S. Social Security Administration — popularity data

Variations

ZaheerZaherDhahir

Nicknames

ZahiZar

Famous Bearers

  • ★Zahir McGhee
    American television writer and producer known for Scandal

If you like Zahir…

Zaid— shares the Arabic Z-initial dignity and the same strong Islamic naming heritage
Tamir— fellow melodic Arabic-root masculine name with a similarly radiant positive meaning
Kareem— parallel Arabic name with a divine attribute meaning in the same Islamic tradition
Zamir— another Arabic name
Zymir— shares Zahir's Arabic roots

Explore names like Zahir

By themearabicmelodicislamicmulticulturalradiant
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Frequently Asked

What does the name Zahir mean?

Zahir means 'radiant,' 'shining,' or 'manifest' in Arabic. Al-Zahir is one of the 99 names of Allah, meaning 'The Manifest One.'

How do you pronounce Zahir?

Zahir is pronounced zah-HEER /zɑːˈhɪər/ — two syllables with stress on the second.

Is Zahir an Islamic name?

Yes, Zahir is a deeply Islamic name. Al-Zahir is one of the 99 divine attributes of Allah, making it a spiritually significant choice in Muslim tradition.

Is Zahir a popular name?

Zahir has been growing in Muslim American communities and is gaining wider recognition as Arabic names gain broader appreciation.

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