Boy name
Kadir name meaning
“capable; possessing the power to act”
Kadir means capable or possessing the power to act. It comes from Arabic qādir and is used as a masculine given name in Türkiye. The source word describes the ability to accomplish something. Abdülkadir contains the same Arabic element and provides a concrete connection with another name.
- Gender
- ♂ Boy
- Origin
- Arabic
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity
- In TÜİK lists
What does Kadir mean?
Capable; possessing the power to act
In Turkish: gücü yeten, yapmaya kudreti olan
Kadir conveys ability and power, and al-Qadir is also a divine name in Islamic tradition. Kadir Gecesi and the expression kadir kıymet bilmek add familiar Turkish associations. Their word kadir, however, represents a different Arabic form from the name's principal source qādir.
How popular is Kadir?
Official figures: TÜİK newborn name lists (2018–2025, the top 30 for Türkiye and each of the 81 provinces every year) and the most common names in the population.
- Province lists
- 43provinces
- Boys named Kadir in Türkiye (2025)
- 193,025
Where is Kadir in the top 30?
43 provinces · the latest year each province listed it
Double names with Kadir
Double names counted as one name in TÜİK newborn lists (all years and provinces combined).
Source: TurkStat (TÜİK), Address-Based Population Registration System. The lists cover the top 30 names per year, sex and province; no official counts are published for less common names. All statistics →
Why is Kadir popular?
Kadir pairs a straightforward, two-syllable pronunciation with a meaning expressing power and capability. These give it a strong character, although it remained outside the supplied newborn top thirty.
Origin of the name Kadir
As a name, Kadir principally derives from Arabic qādir, meaning capable or powerful. Turkish kadir meaning worth or esteem comes from the distinct but related form qadr.
| Linguistic origin | Arabic |
|---|---|
| Naming tradition | Islamic |
| In Islamic history | Names found in the Quran, Names of God (Asma al-Husna) |
| In Turkic history and myth | Names of Turkic rulers |
| Is Kadir in the Quran? | As a word · قادر · 6:37Qādir occurs in the Quran meaning capable or powerful; it differs from qadr, the word associated with worth or measure. |
| Starts with | K · Ka |
Names are shared across communities. Where a name is common says nothing certain about any one person’s background, faith or origin.
Double names with Kadir
Double-name ideas built from names in our dictionary, with the meaning of each name.
-
Kadir Hüsamettin
Meaning of each name
- Kadir: capable; possessing the power to act
- Hüsamettin: sword of the faith; defender of religion
-
Yusuf Kadir
Meaning of each name
- Yusuf: may God add; may God increase
- Kadir: capable; possessing the power to act
-
Kadir Rüknettin
Meaning of each name
- Kadir: capable; possessing the power to act
- Rüknettin: pillar of the faith; support of religion
-
Alâaddin Kadir
Meaning of each name
- Alâaddin: exaltation of the faith; religious glory
- Kadir: capable; possessing the power to act
-
Kadir Hür
Meaning of each name
- Kadir: capable; possessing the power to act
- Hür: free, independent, not captive
-
Abdülhadi Kadir
Meaning of each name
- Abdülhadi: servant of God, the Guide
- Kadir: capable; possessing the power to act
Double names found in TÜİK’s newborn lists: Kadir Efe, Muhammed Kadir, Kadir Eymen, Kadir Asaf, Kadir Can.
How to pronounce Kadir
| Syllables | 2 · 5 letters · 5-letter boy names |
|---|---|
| IPA | /kadiɾ/ |
| Ottoman Turkish | قادر |
Is Kadir a boy’s name?
Yes, Kadir is used mostly as a boy’s name. See all boy names.
Kadir appears in TÜİK’s most-used name lists. See the statistics section above (Source: TurkStat, ADNKS).
Spellings and similar names
Spellings covered by this page: Kadır
Names that sound like Kadir
- Kadim♂Ancient, of great antiquity
- Kadr♂Worth, esteem
- Kahir♂Prevailing
- Kamil♂Complete, accomplished and mature
- Kadri♂Associated with worth and esteem
- Kajin♂Where is life?
- Kamer♂♀Moon
- Kani♂Content with what one has
- Kadem♂Foot, step
- Kafi♂Sufficient, meeting what is needed
- Karim♂Generous, openhanded, noble-hearted
- Kaşif♂Discoverer
Names with related meanings
- Atlas♂Mythological Titan who bears the heavens
- Aslan♂Lion
- Aybars♂Compound of moon and leopard
- Hamza♂Lion
- Yaman♂Formidable, tough
- Metin♂Firm
- Batuhan♂Steadfast khan
- Egemen♂Sovereign, independent in exercising authority
- Alpaslan♂Valiant lion
- Yavuz♂Stern, formidable
- Berkay♂A name combining firmness and moon imagery
- Demir♂İron
Famous people named Kadir
- Kadir Topbaş · b. 1945
- Kadir İnanır · b. 1949
- Kadir Doğulu · b. 1982
- Kadir Mısıroğlu · b. 1933
- Kadir Bekmezci · b. 1985
- Kadir Nurman · b. 1933
- Kadir Özcan · b. 1952
- Kadir Akbulut · b. 1960
- Kadir Keleş · b. 1988
- Kadir Cin · b. 1987
- Kadir Kaan Özdemir · b. 1998
- Kadir Özkaya · b. 1963
FAQ about the name Kadir
What is the meaning of Kadir?
Kadir means “capable; possessing the power to act”. As a name, Kadir principally derives from Arabic qādir, meaning capable or powerful. Turkish kadir meaning worth or esteem comes from the distinct but related form qadr.
Is Kadir a boy’s name?
Yes, Kadir is used mostly as a boy’s name.
Is Kadir in the Quran?
As a word. Qādir occurs in the Quran meaning capable or powerful; it differs from qadr, the word associated with worth or measure. (e.g.: 6:37)
What is the origin of the name Kadir?
Kadir is of Arabic origin.
How many syllables does Kadir have?
Kadir has 2 syllables and 5 letters.
How popular is the name Kadir?
Kadir appears in TÜİK’s most-used name lists. See the statistics section above (Source: TurkStat, ADNKS).
What are other spellings of Kadir?
Other spellings: Kadır.
What names go well with Kadir?
Some ideas: Kadir Hüsamettin; Yusuf Kadir; Kadir Rüknettin.
Famous people named Kadir?
Notable people named Kadir include Kadir Topbaş, Kadir İnanır, Kadir Doğulu.
Sources and method
Meanings and origins draw on language sources and name dictionaries; popularity figures come from TÜİK’s address-based population register, and notable people from Wikidata.
Entry ID: nm00037 · Updated 2026-10-24 · How we research names · Report a mistake