Qader

Qader is a masculine given name and, in some cases, a surname used in various Muslim communities. It is derived from the Arabic root q-d-r, which conveys meanings related to ability, power, and decree. The spelling Qader reflects one of several transliterations of the same word; other common forms include Qadir, Qadri, and Kadir, with regional variants shaped by language and script.

The name is used across Arabic-speaking countries and widely in South Asia, Central Asia, the Horn of Africa, and among Muslim communities in Europe and the Americas. It appears in both religious and secular contexts and is often adapted to local orthography, pronunciation, and naming conventions.

In Islamic culture, the form Abdul-Qadir denotes a theophoric version meaning “servant of the All-Powerful.” Abdul-Qadir Gilani, a prominent historical figure, is associated with the Qadiriyya Sufi order, which has influenced naming practices in various regions and times. The association with Qadiriyya contributes to the name’s recognition beyond strictly linguistic or genealogical use.

As a surname, Qader can indicate lineage or affiliation with a family that adopts the given name as a hereditary identifier. Variants such as Qadri, Qadriya, or Kadir are common in different languages and may reflect pronunciation, regional customs, or clerical lineage. Overall, Qader and its variants function as a broadly distributed element of personal naming in the Muslim world.