Tahar

Tahar is a masculine given name of Arabic origin. It derives from the word طاهر, meaning pure, virtuous, or clean. The name is common across the Arab world and in North Africa, and it often appears in various transliterations such as Taher, Tahir, or Taheer, reflecting differences in language and pronunciation.

In North Africa and the broader Maghreb, Tahar is widely used among Arab and Berber communities and has spread through diaspora populations in France, Belgium, Canada, and other countries. As with many Arabic names, Tahar can appear in longer given-name forms or as part of compound names in different cultural contexts. The spelling of Tahar in Latin script varies to accommodate French- and English-speaking environments.

Notable individuals named Tahar include Tahar Ben Jelloun (born 1944), a Moroccan writer and poet known for works addressing immigration and identity; Tahar Djaout (1954–1993), an Algerian journalist and novelist who was assassinated during the Algerian Civil War; and Tahar Rahim (born 1981), a French actor recognized for roles in films such as A Prophet and The Serpent. These figures illustrate the name’s usage across diverse fields, from literature to cinema.

See also: The name has variant spellings, including Taher and Tahir, which may reflect differences in linguistic or regional tradition.