"flourishing, long-lived"
Origin: Arabic
Language: English
Omar
Pronunciation: [ OHM-ahr ]
Boy Name
#260 Most Popular
Steady
2 Syllables
A name of caliphs and poets — flourishing across cultures
Arabic
Islamic
Hebrew
Spanish
African-American
Strong
Classic
Spiritual
Sophisticated
Bold
Meaning & Origin
"populous, thriving"
Origin: Arabic ʿamara
Language: Arabic
The Story of Omar
Omar is an Arabic name derived from the root 'amara,' meaning to flourish, thrive, or live long. In Islamic tradition, it is most famously associated with Umar ibn al-Khattab, the second Caliph after Muhammad, who presided over massive expansion of the Islamic empire while maintaining a reputation for justice and simplicity. The Hebrew cognate Omer refers to a unit of measure and a period of 49 days between Passover and Shavuot.
Omar has maintained steady use across Arabic-speaking countries, Muslim communities worldwide, and increasingly in Western nations. In the US, it's popular in both Hispanic communities (where it's used across cultures) and among African-American families drawn to its strong, multicultural resonance. HBO's The Wire gave the name Omar a complex, iconic fictional character.
In Islamic history, Umar ibn al-Khattab is one of the most revered figures — a strict but just leader who personally checked on the welfare of his subjects. In Persian literature, Omar Khayyam's Rubaiyat is one of the world's most translated poetry collections. The name carries weight across Islamic, Hebrew, and Western literary traditions.
Fun Facts
- Umar ibn al-Khattab (583-644 AD) expanded the Islamic empire to include Persia, Egypt, and parts of Europe
- Omar Khayyam (1048-1131) was a Persian polymath whose poetry 'the moving finger writes...' is among the world's most quoted
- Omar is consistently top-10 in Morocco, Egypt, and several other Arab countries
Omar in Other Languages
Urdu
عمر
Arabic
عمر
Hebrew
עֹמֶר
Persian
عمر
Turkish
Ömer
Famous People Named Omar
O
O
Omar Khayyam
Writer
1048
Persian mathematician, astronomer, and poet whose Rubaiyat is one of the world's most translated works
O
Omar Little Fictional
Other
Iconic fictional character in HBO's The Wire — a principled outlaw who robs drug dealers
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #260
- Total SSA Count
- 1,343
- Cultural Origins
- Arabic Islamic Hebrew Spanish African-American
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Pairs Well With
Omar Ali
Omar Hassan
Omar James
Omar Abdullah
Omar Kareem
Omar Samir
Omar Rashid
Sibling Names
Also a Girl Name
Omar is also used as a girl name, ranked #66809.
View Omar as a girl name →Similar Names
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
Can't decide?
Start a tournament bracket with Omar and other names you're considering.
Start a TournamentLike this name?
Check how Omar sounds with your surname and test for potential nicknames.
Analyze This NameExplore More Generators
-
🧝
Fantasy Name Generator
Create names for D&D and RPG characters
-
🐾
Pet Name Generator
Find the perfect name for your furry friend
-
🎭
Character Name Generator
Names for fictional characters across genres
Frequently Asked Questions About Omar
What does the name Omar mean?
"flourishing, long-lived" (from Arabic). "populous, thriving" (from Arabic ʿamara). Omar is an Arabic name derived from the root 'amara,' meaning to flourish, thrive, or live long. In Islamic tradition, it is most famously associated with Umar ibn al-Khattab, the second Caliph after Muhammad, who presided over massive expansion of the Islamic empire while maintaining a reputation for justice and simplicity. The Hebrew cognate Omer refers to a unit of measure and a period of 49 days between Passover and Shavuot.
What is the origin of the name Omar?
Omar has Arabic, Arabic ʿamara, Islamic, Hebrew, Spanish, and African-American origins. In Arabic, it means "flourishing, long-lived". In Arabic ʿamara, it means "populous, thriving".
Is Omar a boy or girl name?
Omar is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #260. As a girl name, it is ranked #66809. Omar is more commonly used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Omar?
Omar is pronounced OHM-ahr.
How popular is the name Omar?
Omar is currently ranked #260 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are good middle names for Omar?
Popular middle name pairings include Omar Ali, Omar Hassan, Omar James, Omar Abdullah, Omar Kareem, Omar Samir, and Omar Rashid.
What are good sibling names for Omar?
Names that pair well with Omar as siblings include Zara, Layla, Hassan, Amir, Leila, Karim, and Nadia.
How many syllables does Omar have?
Omar has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Omar a common or rare name?
Omar is a popular name, ranked #260 for boys. It is well-known without being overused.
About the Name Omar
Omar is a boy name with Arabic, Islamic, Hebrew, Spanish, and African-American origins . The name means "flourishing, long-lived" in Arabic .
Is Omar a boy or girl name? Omar is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #260 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #66,809. Omar is more commonly used as a boy name.
Omar is currently ranked #260 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Omar has 2 syllables and is pronounced OHM-ahr, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Alternative spellings of Omar include Omari, Omarion . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.