"to guard, to keep watch"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: English
Shamar
Does Shamar flow with your last name?
A guardian's name straight from Biblical Hebrew
African American
Jewish
Arabic
American
Strong
Bold
Traditional
Spiritual
Unique
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Meaning & Origin
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The Story of Shamar
Shamar derives from the Hebrew root 'shamar' (שָׁמַר), one of the most frequently occurring verbs in the Hebrew Bible, meaning 'to guard,' 'to keep,' or 'to protect.' The name appears in the Old Testament as Shemer, the owner of the hill on which King Omri built Samaria. In Arabic, a related root conveys similar meanings of protection and guardianship. As a given name in African American communities, Shamar became popular as part of the broader embrace of Semitic and African names during the cultural reclamation of the 1970s-1990s.
Shamar gained currency in African American communities from the 1980s onward, fitting into the pattern of strong, distinctive names with Semitic roots. It has remained steadily used without becoming either rare or overused.
The concept of 'shamar' — to guard, keep, observe — is theologically significant in Jewish and Christian traditions. The command to 'keep' the Sabbath uses this word, as do Psalms about God keeping watch over the faithful.
Historical Record
Shamar first appeared in US Social Security records in 1972.
Over 6,120 babies have been named Shamar in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Shamar is past its peak , currently ranked #3,303 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- The Hebrew root 'shamar' appears over 460 times in the Hebrew Bible
- Samaria, the ancient capital of the northern kingdom of Israel, takes its name from Shemer, related to Shamar
Shamar in Other Languages
Arabic
شمار (Shamar)
Hebrew
שָׁמַר (Shamar)
Amharic
ሻማር
Popularity Over Time
#3,303
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
Peaked 2000
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Shamar
S
Shamar Moore
Actor
1970
American actor known for the CBS series Criminal Minds (character Derek Morgan) and soap operas
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See all →Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #3,303
- Total SSA Count
- 36
- Cultural Origins
- African American Jewish Arabic American
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Sha
Sham
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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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, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
Middle Names
Middle Names for Shamar
6 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Girl Name
Shamar is also used as a girl name, ranked #22668.
View Shamar as a girl name →Similar Names
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Frequently Asked Questions About Shamar
What does the name Shamar mean?
"to guard, to keep watch" (from Hebrew). Shamar derives from the Hebrew root 'shamar' (שָׁמַר), one of the most frequently occurring verbs in the Hebrew Bible, meaning 'to guard,' 'to keep,' or 'to protect.' The name appears in the Old Testament as Shemer, the owner of the hill on which King Omri built Samaria. In Arabic, a related root conveys similar meanings of protection and guardianship. As a given name in African American communities, Shamar became popular as part of the broader embrace of Semitic and African names during the cultural reclamation of the 1970s-1990s.
What is the origin of the name Shamar?
Shamar has Hebrew, African American, Jewish, Arabic, and American origins. In Hebrew, it means "to guard, to keep watch".
Is Shamar a boy or girl name?
Shamar is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #3303. As a girl name, it is ranked #22668. Shamar is more commonly used as a boy name.
How popular is the name Shamar?
Shamar is currently ranked #3303 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Shamar?
Common nicknames for Shamar include Sha and Sham.
What are good middle names for Shamar?
Popular middle name pairings include Shamar Isaiah, Shamar Elijah, Shamar Marcus, Shamar Dominic, Shamar Xavier, and Shamar Jordan.
What are good sibling names for Shamar?
Names that pair well with Shamar as siblings include Jamar, Lamar, Amara, Zora, Jabari, and Imani.
How many syllables does Shamar have?
Shamar has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Shamar a common or rare name?
Shamar is an uncommon name, ranked #3303 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What boy names are similar to Shamar?
Are there other spellings for Shamar?
Related spellings include Shamir.
About the Name Shamar
Shamar is a boy name with African American, Jewish, Arabic, and American origins . The name means "to guard, to keep watch" in Hebrew .
Is Shamar a boy or girl name? Shamar is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #3,303 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #22,668. Shamar is more commonly used as a boy name.
Shamar is currently ranked #3,303 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Shamar has 2 syllables, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Shamar include Sha and Sham. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Shamar include Shamir . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
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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