Find out how popular the first name Amir has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Amir by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Amir is more commonly used as a male name, with approximately 99% of people named Amir being male.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 3,620 male babies and 15 female babies born with the name Amir.

Yes—according to the SSA data, 15 baby girls were named Amir in 2023, despite it being a predominantly male name. We'd love to know why!

The history of the first name Amir

The name Amir has its origins in the Arabic language, derived from the word "amara" which means "to command" or "to rule". It dates back to ancient times, with records of its usage found in historical texts and manuscripts from the Middle East and North Africa.

In Islamic history, Amir was a title given to military commanders or governors who held authority and power. The Quran, the holy book of Islam, mentions the word "amir" in several verses, referring to leaders and rulers. One of the earliest recorded examples of the name Amir is found in the 7th century, when Amir ibn al-As was a prominent companion of the Prophet Muhammad and served as a military commander during the Muslim conquests.

Throughout history, several notable figures have borne the name Amir. One of the most famous was Amir Khusro (1253-1325), a renowned Persian poet and scholar who lived during the Delhi Sultanate in India. His literary works, which include poetry, prose, and riddles, significantly influenced the development of Indian classical music and literature.

Another prominent figure was Amir Timur, also known as Tamerlane (1336-1405), a Turko-Mongol conqueror who established the Timurid Empire in Central Asia. He was a skilled military strategist and is known for his ambitious campaigns, which expanded his empire from modern-day Turkey to India.

In the 16th century, Amir Khan Ummat Khan (1556-1625) was a prominent military commander and noble in the Mughal Empire. He served under the Mughal emperors Akbar and Jahangir and played a crucial role in several military campaigns.

During the 19th century, Amir Dost Muhammad Khan (1793-1863) was the founder and first Emir of the Barakzai dynasty in Afghanistan. He fought against the British during the First Anglo-Afghan War and is considered a national hero in Afghanistan.

Another notable figure was Amir Habibullah Khan (1872-1919), the Emir of Afghanistan from 1901 to 1919. He is credited with modernizing and reforming the country, introducing several social and educational reforms during his reign.

The name Amir has been widely used across the Middle East, Central Asia, and South Asia, reflecting its cultural and historical significance in these regions. While its usage has evolved over time, the name still carries connotations of authority, leadership, and command, rooted in its rich historical background.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Amir was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Amir, please contact us.

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