Omar (name)


Omar is the most common Arabic rendition of a series of names, predominantly masculine given names, originating in the Arabic language. The name may have several different spellings in English, with variations based on the original language that it is drawn from, regional/cultural adaptations, and personal choice.

Origins

Semitic languages

As an Arabic name, Omar/Umar is widespread among Arabs and Muslims. In this context, it is chiefly a reference to Umar ibn al-Khattab, who was one of Muhammad's companions and the second Rashidun caliph, as well as the driving force behind the success of some of the early Muslim conquests. The Turkish form of the name is Ömer, while the Bosnian form of the name is Omer.
As a Hebrew name, the omer was an Israelite unit of measurement for grains and other dry commodities, giving way to Jewish rituals like Sefirat HaOmer and the omer offering.

Germanic languages

In the Germanic languages, the name Ómar is popular as an Icelandic name and also as a Nordic name, albeit to a much lesser extent with the latter. In this context, the name can be a variant of Ottomar or Othmar, which are derived from a Germanic name consisting of elements *aud and *mari.

Given name

Monarchs named Omar or Umar

Caliphs

Other monarchs

Omar

Fictional characters

Omer

Ómar

Ömer

Oumar

Umar

Umaru

Other

  • Omarion, American R&B singer, actor, songwriter, record producer, dancer
  • Omarr Norman-Lott, American football player
  • Omarr Smith, American football defensive back for the San Jose SaberCats
  • Oumarou Ganda, Nigerian director and actor
  • Umer Shareef, Pakistani stand-up comedian, stage, film and television actor, writer, director and producer
  • Umur the Lion, the Turkish Emir of Aydin from 1336 to 1344
  • Ymär Sali, Tatar entrepreneur in Finland
  • Ymär Daher, Tatar cultural worker in Finland

Surname

Omar

Omaar

Omer, Ömer

Oumar / Oumarou

  • Mamane Oumarou, Nigerian political figure who served two brief periods as prime minister of Niger during the 1980s

Umar

Omarova