Omar is an Arabic name, also spelled Umar, meaning “long-lived”, “flourishing” or “life”, from the root ʿ-m-r, linked to ʿumr, “lifetime”. It is the name of Umar ibn al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him), the second caliph, remembered for his justice. In 2025 Omar was 157th and Umar 234th among boys’ names in England and Wales.
What does Omar mean?
The Arabic root ʿ-m-r is about life and building up: ʿumr is a lifetime, and the verb means to live long, to inhabit and to make a place flourish. So the name carries a hope for a long, full and productive life. The classical spelling is ʿUmar; “Omar” reflects how the name is said in Egypt, the Levant and much of the Muslim world.
There is also an unrelated Hebrew name Omar, a grandson of Esau in the Bible (Genesis 36:11), sometimes explained as “eloquent”. In Muslim families, Omar always refers to the Arabic name.
How do you pronounce Omar?
Say OH-mar or, closer to the classical Arabic, OO-mar, beginning with the throat sound ʿayn. Both are widely used in the UK.
How do you spell Omar? Spellings and variants
- Omar and Umar: the two main UK spellings, counted separately by the ONS.
- Omer (Turkish), Oumar (West Africa), Omari (a Swahili form, also used independently).
How popular is Omar in the UK?
Omar rose 18 places in 2025. Adding Umar, the name is more popular than either spelling suggests on its own.
| Spelling | Rank in 2025 | Babies in 2025 | Change since 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Omar | 157 | 332 | up 18 places |
| Umar | 234 | – | up 5 places |
Umar ibn al-Khattab
Umar was born in Makkah around 584 and was at first a fierce opponent of Islam. According to the well-known account, he set out in anger, heard verses of Surah Ta-Ha being recited at his sister’s house, and was so moved that he went straight to the Prophet and accepted Islam. Afterwards the Muslims were able to pray openly at the Kaaba.
He was given the title al-Faruq, “the one who distinguishes truth from falsehood”. As the second caliph, from 634 until his death in 644, he became famous for his justice and simple living: he walked the streets of Madinah at night to check on the poor, set up public funds to support those in need, and began the Islamic calendar, counting the years from the Hijrah.
The Prophet (peace be upon him) praised his firmness, telling him that whenever Satan met him on a path, Satan took a different one (Sahih al-Bukhari 3683).
Other famous people called Omar include the Persian poet and mathematician Omar Khayyam.
Omar and the Hudhud book
Hudhud’s journey visits Nuh, Ibrahim, Musa, Isa and Muhammad (peace be upon them). A child called Omar is the traveller himself, with his name replacing the sample hero’s name, Yusuf, throughout. To share stories of the Prophet’s time, see our Prophet Muhammad story for kids.
What middle names go with Omar?
What are nicknames for Omar?
Om and Omi are common; Arabic-speaking families sometimes say Ammouri.
What are good sibling names for Omar?
Sources and further reading
Frequently asked questions
What does Omar mean in Islam?
Omar (Umar) means “long-lived”, “flourishing” or “life” in Arabic, from the root ʿ-m-r, linked to ʿumr, “lifetime”.
Is Omar in the Qur’an?
No, Omar is not a name in the Qur’an, though words from its root appear there, such as ʿumur, “a lifetime” (10:16). Muslims choose it for Umar ibn al-Khattab, the second caliph.
Is it Omar or Umar?
Both are correct. Umar is closer to classical Arabic; Omar reflects common pronunciation. In England and Wales in 2025, Omar was given to 332 boys (157th) and Umar ranked 234th (ONS).
Who was Umar ibn al-Khattab?
A senior Companion of the Prophet and the second caliph (634–644), called al-Faruq. He was known for his justice and began the Islamic Hijri calendar.
Is Omar a lucky name?
Islam does not treat names as lucky (Sahih al-Bukhari 5776). Omar carries a hope for a long and useful life, and the example of a Companion the Prophet praised for his firmness (Sahih al-Bukhari 3683).
What are nicknames for Omar?
Om and Omi are common, and Arabic-speaking families sometimes say Ammouri.
What are good middle names for Omar?
Omar Ibrahim, Omar Yusuf, Omar Zayn, Omar Faruq and Omar Adam are popular, as is Muhammad Omar.
What does al-Faruq mean?
Al-Faruq, the title of Umar ibn al-Khattab, means “the one who distinguishes” between truth and falsehood. He was known for standing firmly for what was right.