Harun first name popularity, history and meaning

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

Meaning of Harun

A masculine name of Arabic origin meaning "exalted" or "high-born".

Popularity of Harun by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Harun is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 55 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Harun.

Year Male Count Female Count
2023 55 0
2022 63 0
2021 50 0
2020 56 0
2019 41 0
2018 45 0
2017 42 0
2016 51 0
2015 44 0
2014 32 0
2013 36 0
2012 38 0
2011 29 0
2010 35 0
2009 28 0
2008 20 0
2007 26 0
2006 27 0
2005 18 0
2004 15 0
2003 22 0
2002 20 0
2001 12 0
2000 11 0
1999 17 0
1998 9 0
1997 10 0
1996 5 0
1994 10 0
1993 6 0
1983 6 0
1979 5 0
1978 5 0
1975 8 0
1974 7 0

The history of the first name Harun

The name Harun has its origins in the Arabic language, derived from the root word "harr," which means "hot" or "ardent." The earliest known recorded use of this name dates back to the 7th century CE, during the Islamic Golden Age.

In Islamic tradition, Harun is considered a variant spelling of the name Aaron, which holds significant importance as it was the name of a prophet in the Abrahamic faiths. The biblical figure Aaron, the brother of Moses, is revered in Islam as a messenger of God and is mentioned numerous times in the Quran.

One of the earliest and most notable historical figures to bear this name was Harun al-Rashid, the fifth Abbasid Caliph who ruled from 786 to 809 CE. His reign is often regarded as the peak of the Islamic Golden Age, marked by scientific advancements, cultural prosperity, and the flourishing of the arts and literature.

Another prominent figure in history associated with this name was Harun al-Wathiq, an Abbasid Caliph who reigned from 842 to 847 CE. He is remembered for his patronage of scholars and his efforts to promote the translation of ancient Greek texts into Arabic.

In the realms of literature and poetry, Harun al-Rashid and his court are often featured in the iconic collection of Middle Eastern folk tales, "One Thousand and One Nights," also known as "The Arabian Nights." The character of Harun al-Rashid appears frequently, portraying him as a wise and just ruler.

Additionally, the name Harun has been borne by several scholars and intellectuals throughout Islamic history. One notable example is Harun al-Farabi, a renowned philosopher, logician, and scientist who lived from 872 to 950 CE and made significant contributions to the fields of metaphysics and logic.

Another influential figure was Harun al-Shatir, an Arab astronomer and mathematician who lived in the 14th century and is credited with developing advanced models for planetary motion and contributing to the understanding of celestial mechanics.

In more recent times, the name Harun gained popularity among Muslim communities worldwide, with many parents choosing to name their sons in honor of the historical and religious significance associated with this name.

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 Harun was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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"Harun first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on July 4, 2025. http://namecensus.com/first-names/harun-meaning-and-history/.

"Harun first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/first-names/harun-meaning-and-history/. Accessed 4 July, 2025

Harun first name popularity, history and meaning. NameCensus.com. Retrieved from http://namecensus.com/first-names/harun-meaning-and-history/.

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