Find out how popular the first name Shir has been for the last 28 years (from 1990 to 2017) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Shir by gender

Based on the last 28 years of data, Shir is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 2017, there were 7 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Shir.

The history of the first name Shir

The name Shir originates from the Persian language, where it means "lion" or "brave." This name has its roots in ancient Persia, which is now modern-day Iran, and dates back to the 6th century BCE.

Shir is derived from the Old Persian word "šir," which is also the root of several other words in various languages, such as the Arabic "shir" and the Hebrew "shor." The name has been used in various forms throughout history, including Shir, Shyr, and Sher.

One of the earliest recorded uses of the name Shir can be found in the Shahnameh, the epic Persian poem written by the renowned poet Ferdowsi in the late 10th century CE. In this work, Shir is mentioned as the name of a brave warrior and hero.

In Islamic tradition, the name Shir is associated with the concept of bravery and strength, as it is believed to be one of the names of the prophet Muhammad's uncle, Hamza ibn Abdul-Muttalib, who was known for his courage and valor in battle.

Throughout history, several notable figures have borne the name Shir. One of the most famous was Shir Shah Suri (1472-1545), an Afghan ruler who established the Sur Empire in India and is renowned for his administrative reforms and architectural contributions, including the construction of the Grand Trunk Road.

Another prominent figure was Shir Ali Khan (1825-1879), the Emir of Afghanistan from 1863 to 1879, who played a significant role in the Second Anglo-Afghan War and is remembered for his efforts to modernize and strengthen the Afghan state.

In the realm of literature, Shir Khuda Ghulam Nabi (1654-1731) was a celebrated Kashmiri poet who wrote in the Persian language and is regarded as one of the most influential figures in the literary tradition of Kashmir.

Shir Muhammad Khan Abbasi (1853-1926) was a renowned Pashtun freedom fighter and poet who played a crucial role in the resistance against British colonial rule in the North-West Frontier Province of British India (now part of Pakistan).

Lastly, Shir Ahmad Khan (1922-2008) was a prominent Afghan politician and diplomat who served as the Prime Minister of Afghanistan from 1967 to 1971 and played a significant role in the country's foreign relations during the Cold War era.

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

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

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