Umar
Umar is a Muslim boy name meaning “Long-lived, flourishing life”.
| Meaning | Long-lived, flourishing life |
|---|---|
| Gender | Boy |
| Origin | Arabic |
| Arabic spelling | عمر |
| Pronunciation | OO-mar |
| Arabic root | ع م ر (ʿ-m-r) — life, to live long, to flourish |
| Muslim name? | Islamic / Arabic name |
Meaning and origin of Umar
Umar, written ʿUmar in careful transliteration, is built on the Arabic root ʿ-m-r, which covers life, long life and the idea of a place being inhabited and thriving. The word ʿumr means a lifetime, ʿimāra means building and cultivation, and ʿumra, the lesser pilgrimage, comes from the same family. Classical scholars explain ʿUmar as a name expressing long life and vitality, and some connect it with the sense of bringing prosperity to a place. The usual translation is therefore 'long-lived' or 'one whose life flourishes'.
The name is inseparable from ʿUmar ibn al-Khaṭṭāb, the second caliph after Abu Bakr, under whom the early Muslim state expanded into Syria, Iraq, Egypt and Persia, and whose firmness and justice became proverbial. The Umayyad caliph ʿUmar ibn ʿAbd al-ʿAzīz, often called the fifth rightly guided caliph, made the name a byword for fair government. Today it is spelled Omar across the Arab world and in the West, Umar or Umer in South Asia, Ömer in Turkey and Umaru among the Hausa, and it is pronounced OO-mar or OH-mar depending on dialect. A modern bearer is Umaru Musa Yar'Adua, president of Nigeria from 2007 to 2010.
Famous people named Umar
- ʿUmar ibn al-Khaṭṭāb — second caliph of Islam, known as al-Fārūq
- ʿUmar ibn ʿAbd al-ʿAzīz — Umayyad caliph celebrated for his justice
- Omar al-Mukhtar — leader of the Libyan resistance against Italian rule (variant Omar)
- Umaru Musa Yar'Adua — president of Nigeria (2007–2010) (variant Umaru)
Is Umar a Muslim name?
Yes. Umar is one of the most important Muslim names, borne by the second caliph ʿUmar ibn al-Khaṭṭāb.
Where is the name Umar used?
Used throughout the Muslim world; Omar in the Arab world, Umar/Umer in South Asia, Ömer in Turkey, Umaru in Nigeria.
Gifts with the name Umar
- Umar name necklaces & bracelets (Amazon)
- Personalised Umar baby gifts (Amazon)
- Islamic baby gifts & books (Amazon)
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Spellings and variants of Umar
More boy names like Umar
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Umar mean?
Umar means 'Long-lived, flourishing life'. It comes from Arabic.
Is Umar a Muslim name?
Yes. Umar is one of the most important Muslim names, borne by the second caliph ʿUmar ibn al-Khaṭṭāb.
How do you write Umar in Arabic?
Umar is written عمر in Arabic script.
How do you pronounce Umar?
Umar is pronounced OO-mar.
Is Umar mentioned in the Quran?
The name Umar does not appear in the Quran, although words from its root, such as ʿumr (lifetime), do.
What is the difference between Umar and Omar?
There is none in meaning. Umar and Omar are two transliterations of the same Arabic name عمر; Omar reflects Arab pronunciation and Umar the classical vowel.
What does al-Faruq mean?
Al-Fārūq, the title of ʿUmar ibn al-Khaṭṭāb, means the one who distinguishes between truth and falsehood.