Nihar first name popularity, history and meaning

Find out how popular the first name Nihar has been for the last 42 years (from 1978 to 2019) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Meaning of Nihar

An Indian Hindu masculine given name meaning "cloud, fog, mist".

Popularity of Nihar by gender

Based on the last 42 years of data, Nihar is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2019, there were 6 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Nihar.

Year Male Count Female Count
2019 6 0
2018 5 0
2017 8 0
2016 6 0
2015 13 0
2014 6 0
2013 9 0
2012 7 0
2011 7 0
2010 15 0
2009 11 0
2008 13 0
2007 7 0
2006 15 0
2005 13 0
2004 21 0
2003 15 0
2002 19 0
2001 15 0
2000 9 0
1999 16 0
1998 12 0
1997 11 0
1996 9 0
1995 6 0
1994 5 0
1989 7 0
1987 5 0
1984 6 0
1978 6 0

The history of the first name Nihar

The name Nihar has its origins in the Sanskrit language, tracing back to ancient India. It is derived from the Sanskrit word "nihar," which means "cloudless" or "clear." This name is believed to have been in use as early as the 5th century BCE.

One of the earliest recorded mentions of the name Nihar can be found in the Hindu epic Mahabharata, where it was used as a name for a character. This text, which dates back to around the 8th or 9th century BCE, is considered one of the most significant works of ancient Indian literature.

In the 7th century CE, there was a notable figure named Nihar Vasu, a renowned scholar and philosopher from the Indian subcontinent. He is credited with making significant contributions to the field of logic and epistemology.

During the medieval period, the name Nihar gained popularity among the ruling classes and nobility in various parts of India. One prominent individual bearing this name was Nihar Khan, a military commander who served under the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb in the 17th century.

Fast forward to the 20th century, and one of the most celebrated individuals with the name Nihar was Nihar Ranjan Gupta, an Indian freedom fighter and revolutionary who played a crucial role in the Indian independence movement against British colonial rule. He was born in 1897 and actively participated in various nationalist activities until his death in 1948.

Another notable figure was Nihar Ranjan Ray, a renowned Bengali poet, novelist, and essayist. Born in 1936, he was widely acclaimed for his literary works and received numerous accolades, including the Sahitya Akademi Award and the Padma Bhushan, one of India's highest civilian honors.

While the name Nihar has its roots in Sanskrit and ancient Indian culture, it has transcended borders and gained popularity in various parts of the world, particularly among communities with Indian diaspora.

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

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

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"Nihar first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on September 7, 2025. http://namecensus.com/first-names/nihar-meaning-and-history/.

"Nihar first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/first-names/nihar-meaning-and-history/. Accessed 7 September, 2025

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

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