Etymology & Historical Origin of the Baby Name Amir

The name Amir is Arabic in origin and has two possible meanings depending on how the name is spelled. Amīr (with an accent over the i) means ‘prince, ruler’ and Āmir (with an accent over the a) means ‘prosperous’. Generally speaking, Amīr is taken from the title of high office “Emir” which is used throughout the Muslim word. In the United States, the name Amir is used primarily among those of Middle Eastern descent. While the name is common among Arabs and Muslims, it is not generally used by English-speaking nations.

All About the Baby Name – Amir

Personality

OF THE BOY NAME AMIR

The number Five personality loves the excitement of life and can easily adapt to all situations. As natural adventurers, these personalities thrive on the new and unexpected and prefer to be in constant motion. It makes them feel alive. They'll stir up some action if there's not enough around, and as inherent risk-takers they enjoy pushing the envelope. Naturally rebellious, the Five personality has no fear and never resists change.  Traveling and new experiences feed their souls. Fives are very social and attract friends with ease. People love to be around the Five fun-loving and exciting energy.  This is also a lucky number in numerology (like the Threes), so fortune seems to shine on them, helped along by their own optimism and good-nature. Fives have a quick wit, a cerebral mind, and are generally very persuasive. 

Popularity

OF THE BOY NAME AMIR

Amir’s increased usage and popularity in the United States is propelled by those of Middle Eastern origin. Considered quite ethnic and not yet mainstream, Amir is not generally used among English-speaking nations except by Muslim or Arab immigrants. Malik (king), Karīm (nobel, generous) and Muhammad (praiseworthy) are other examples of Arabic names that are gaining ground in this melting pot we call America. Just like names that originated from Greek, Latin and Germanic languages, Arabic offers us new and interesting names to consider from the Semitic languages. The name Amir first appeared on the U.S. popularity charts in 1976. This was shortly after the 1965 repeal of the National Origins Act of 1924 – which had previously set strict quotas on non-European immigration to the United States. This created a second wave of Arab immigration when hundreds of thousands of people came from Egypt, Algeria, Morocco, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Tunisia, Libya, Saudi Arabia, and the Palestinian areas. Persians (mainly Iranians) should not be confused with Arabs. They are distinctly different even if they often share names of Arabic origin. In any case, the name Amir continues its slow growth up the American popularity charts.

Quick Facts

ON AMIR

GENDER:

Boy

ORIGIN:

Arabic

NUMBER OF SYLLABLES:

2

RANKING POPULARITY:

216

PRONUNCIATION:

AH-mhir

SIMPLE MEANING:

Prosperous, or Prince

Characteristics

OF AMIR

Freedom-loving

Adventurous

Adaptable

Intellectual

Easygoing

Progressive

Sensual

Cultural References to the Baby Name – Amir

Literary Characters

OF THE BABY NAME AMIR

Amir is the main protagonist in Khaled Hosseini’s critically received 2003 novel, The Kite Runner. It was later adapted into a film of the same name in 2007. The Kite Runner tells the story of Amir, a young boy from a prosperous family in Kabul, Afghanistan and his friendship with Hassan, the son of his father's servant. The two boys share the joy of “kite running” together until one day Amir witnesses a savage act committed on Hassan but shamefully does not come to his friend’s aid. This would eventually drive the boys apart. The story is set against a backdrop of the fall of Afghanistan's monarchy through the Soviet invasion, the mass exodus of refugees to Pakistan and the United States, and the rise of the Taliban regime. A poignant story of a boy who loses his innocence but redeems himself in the end.

Childrens Books

ON THE BABY NAME AMIR

We cannot find any childrens books with the first name Amir


Popular Songs

ON AMIR

We cannot find any popular or well-known songs with the name of Amir


Famous People

NAMED AMIR

Amir Sadollah (mixed martial artist)
Amir Lowery (soccer player)

Children of Famous People

NAMED AMIR

We cannot find any children of famous people with the first name Amir

Historic Figures

WITH THE NAME AMIR

We cannot find any historically significant people with the first name Amir