"grateful, thankful to God"
Origin: Arabic
Language: Arabic
Shakur
Pronunciation: [ sh-AHK-er ]
Does Shakur flow with your last name?
A divine Arabic name meaning grateful to God
Arabic
African-American
Muslim communities
Spiritual
Bold
Strong
Cultural
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Nicknames
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Meaning & Origin
"the appreciative one"
Origin: Arabic (divine attribute)
Language: Arabic
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Things to Know About This Name
- Strongly associated with rapper Tupac Shakur (2Pac, 1971-1996); the name may evoke his legacy in all contexts
The Story of Shakur
Shakur (also spelled Shukr or Shakir) derives from the Arabic root sh-k-r (شكر), meaning gratitude and thankfulness. Al-Shakur is one of the 99 names of Allah in Islamic tradition, meaning 'the Appreciative' or 'the Most Grateful' — one who recognizes and rewards even the smallest good deeds. As a given name, Shakur has been used in Muslim communities for centuries as an expression of devotion and gratitude. It entered wider African-American consciousness partly through the Nation of Islam and Black Muslim movements of the mid-20th century.
The name Shakur became globally recognized through rapper Tupac Amaru Shakur (2Pac), who was named after Túpac Amaru II, a Peruvian revolutionary leader. His mother Afeni Shakur was a Black Panther activist who gave her children names reflecting their political and cultural identity. After Tupac's death in 1996, the name became deeply embedded in hip-hop culture.
Shakur is a name of profound Islamic significance — Al-Shakur is an attribute of God. In African-American Muslim communities, adopting Arabic names was a political and spiritual act of reclaiming identity from the legacy of slavery. The name carries weight both as a divine attribute and as a cultural touchstone through Tupac's legacy.
Historical Record
Shakur first appeared in US Social Security records in 1987.
Over 1,582 babies have been named Shakur in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Shakur is past its peak , currently ranked #2,372 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Al-Shakur is the 35th of the 99 names of Allah in Islamic tradition
- Tupac Shakur's mother Afeni Shakur was a member of the Black Panther Party
Shakur in Other Languages
Urdu
شکور
Arabic
شكور
Persian
شکور
Turkish
Şükür
Popularity Over Time
#2,372
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
Peaked 1997
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Shakur
S
Shakur Stevenson
Athlete
1997
American professional boxer and Olympic silver medalist who became WBC lightweight champion
T
Tupac Shakur
Musician
1971
Iconic American rapper and actor widely regarded as one of the greatest and most influential rappers of all time
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See all →Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #2,372
- Total SSA Count
- 59
- Cultural Origins
- Arabic African-American Muslim communities
- Pronunciation
- Moderate
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Low
Common Nicknames
Shak
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, spiritual style, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, bold style, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, bold style, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, bold style, extended 2-3 combo
Middle Names
Middle Names for Shakur
6 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Girl Name
Shakur is also used as a girl name, ranked #12129.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Shakur
What does the name Shakur mean?
"grateful, thankful to God" (from Arabic). "the appreciative one" (from Arabic (divine attribute)). Shakur (also spelled Shukr or Shakir) derives from the Arabic root sh-k-r (شكر), meaning gratitude and thankfulness. Al-Shakur is one of the 99 names of Allah in Islamic tradition, meaning 'the Appreciative' or 'the Most Grateful' — one who recognizes and rewards even the smallest good deeds. As a given name, Shakur has been used in Muslim communities for centuries as an expression of devotion and gratitude. It entered wider African-American consciousness partly through the Nation of Islam and Black Muslim movements of the mid-20th century.
What is the origin of the name Shakur?
Shakur has Arabic, Arabic (divine attribute), African-American, and Muslim communities origins. In Arabic, it means "grateful, thankful to God". In Arabic (divine attribute), it means "the appreciative one".
Is Shakur a boy or girl name?
Shakur is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #2372. As a girl name, it is ranked #12129. Shakur is more commonly used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Shakur?
Shakur is pronounced sh-AHK-er.
How popular is the name Shakur?
Shakur is currently ranked #2372 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Shakur?
Common nicknames for Shakur include Shak.
What are good middle names for Shakur?
Popular middle name pairings include Shakur Ali, Shakur James, Shakur Malik, Shakur Omar, Shakur Rashid, and Shakur Kareem.
What are good sibling names for Shakur?
Names that pair well with Shakur as siblings include Malik, Jamal, Amara, Yasmin, Kareem, Imani, and Aniyah.
How many syllables does Shakur have?
Shakur has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Shakur a common or rare name?
Shakur is an uncommon name, ranked #2372 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
About the Name Shakur
Shakur is a boy name with Arabic, African-American, and Muslim communities origins . The name means "grateful, thankful to God" in Arabic .
Is Shakur a boy or girl name? Shakur is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #2,372 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #12,129. Shakur is more commonly used as a boy name.
Shakur is currently ranked #2,372 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Shakur has 2 syllables and is pronounced sh-AHK-er, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Shakur include Shak. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis