Munir
Meaning "enlightened" or "illuminated" of Arabic origin.
Name Census estimates that about 790 living Americans carry the first name Munir. The name is used almost exclusively for boys. The average person named Munir today is around 19 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Munir births was 2024 (44 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Munir. Below you will find a gender breakdown showing how the name splits between male and female registrations, a year-by-year popularity chart stretching back to 1880, decade-level totals, the top US states for this name, its meaning and etymology, and a set of frequently asked questions with data-backed answers.
People living today
790
~ 1 in 433,866 Americans
Peak year
2024
44 babies that year
Average age
19
years old
2024 SSA rank
#2,894
Tracked since 1970
Popularity
Munir: popularity over time
The SSA tracks Munir from the 1970s through to the 2020s, spanning 6 decades of birth certificate data. The biggest single decade for the name was the 2010s, with 232 total registrations. Although the numbers have come down from the 2010s peak, Munir remains solidly in use and shows no sign of disappearing from maternity wards.
Babies born per year
Decades
Munir by decade
The table below breaks the full SSA timeline into ten-year windows. Each row shows how many male and female babies were given the name Munir during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
Geography
Where Munirs live
The SSA's state-level files cover 4 states and territories. Pennsylvania, Minnesota, California recorded the most babies named Munir, while New York, California, Minnesota recorded the fewest. The average across all reporting states is about 44 registrations each.
Origin
Meaning and history of Munir
The name Munir originates from the Arabic language and culture, with its roots dating back to the 7th century CE. It is derived from the Arabic word "nur," which means light or illumination. The name can be interpreted as "the one who brings light" or "the illuminator."
In Islamic tradition, the name Munir is often associated with the concept of divine guidance and enlightenment. It is believed to have been used by early Muslim scholars and religious figures, although specific historical references are scarce.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Munir can be found in the writings of the renowned Arab poet and philosopher Al-Mutanabbi, who lived from 915 to 965 CE. He mentioned a person named Munir in one of his poems, indicating the name's usage during that era.
Throughout history, several notable figures have borne the name Munir. One of the most prominent was Munir al-Haddad (1891-1949), a Syrian politician and diplomat who served as the President of the Syrian Republic from 1932 to 1936. Another influential figure was Munir Khan (1924-2003), a Pakistani cricketer and captain who led the national team in the 1950s and 1960s.
In the realm of literature, Munir Niazi (1928-2006) was a celebrated Urdu poet and writer from Pakistan, known for his contributions to the progressive literary movement. Munir Amrav (1934-2013) was a renowned Moroccan painter and sculptor, whose works explored themes of identity and cultural heritage.
Munir Bashir (1930-1997) was an Iraqi musician and composer, widely regarded as a pioneer of modern Iraqi music. His compositions blended traditional Iraqi melodies with contemporary influences, leaving a lasting impact on the country's musical landscape.
While these examples highlight some of the notable historical figures who carried the name Munir, it is important to note that the name has been used across various cultures and regions, reflecting its enduring appeal and significance.
People
Munir + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Munir as the first name? Click a combination below to see the estimate, or search any pairing.
Related
Other names starting with M
Other first names starting with M with a similar number of bearers.
FAQ
Munir: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Munir?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 790 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Munir going back to 1880 and adjusting each cohort for expected survival using CDC actuarial life tables. The result is an age-weighted living-bearer count, not a raw birth total. That works out to about 1 in 433,866 US residents.
Is Munir a common name?
We classify Munir as "Very Rare". It ranks above 88.5% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 804 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Munir most popular?
The single biggest year for Munir was 2024, when 44 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Munir is about 19 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
Is Munir a male name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Munir in the SSA data are male. You can see the full per-sex comparison in the gender distribution section above, which includes the latest year rank, birth count, and peak year for each sex.
Where does this data come from?
First-name figures come from the Social Security Administration's national baby name files, which cover every name on a birth certificate from 1880 to 2024. Living-bearer estimates layer in CDC actuarial life tables broken out by sex to account for mortality. The population baseline (342,754,338) is the Census Bureau's latest national estimate. You can read the full calculation on our methodology page.