The first name Shakur
A boy’s name from Arabic meaning “thankful”, “grateful”.
2 syllables Male Also a surname
Meaning and origin
Arabic origin
Shakur means “thankful”, “grateful” in Arabic.
Borrowed from Arabic شَكُور (šakūr, “thankful, grateful”). This surname is predominantly found in India.
From Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Popularity
Babies registered in England and Wales, 1996–2025
In 2025, 3 boys were named Shakur, making it the 5,137th most popular boys’ name. It peaked in 2005, with 12 births (#1,534).
Office for National Statistics; years with fewer than three births are not published and show as zero. Compare Shakur with other names.
Popularity in the United States
Babies named Shakur at birth, 1880–2025
In 2025, 29 boys born in the United States were named Shakur, the 3,832nd most popular boys’ name that year. It was used most in 1997, when 119 were.
US Social Security Administration, from applications for a Social Security card. A name is only published for a year when at least five babies were given it, so quieter years show as zero.
More Arabic boys’ names
Questions
- What does the name Shakur mean?
- Shakur means “thankful”, “grateful” in Arabic.
- What is the origin of the name Shakur?
- Borrowed from Arabic شَكُور (šakūr, “thankful, grateful”). This surname is predominantly found in India.
- How popular is the name Shakur?
- In 2025, 3 boys born in England and Wales were named Shakur, ranking 5,137th. Its peak was 2005, with 12 births.
- Is Shakur a boy's or a girl's name?
- Mostly a boy's name: 99% of the 1,622 US babies named Shakur since 1880 were boys.
- When was Shakur most popular?
- 1997 in the United States, when 119 babies were named Shakur, its highest rank at 1,073rd.
- Is Shakur also a surname?
- Yes. Shakur is used as a surname as well as a first name; its surname page has the origin and how many people carry it.