mansur

Mansur is a masculine given name and surname of Arabic origin. It is commonly associated with the epithet al-Mansur, and is often understood to mean “the victorious” or “the aided one,” derived from the Arabic root n-s-r, related to help or victory. The name appears in various transliterations, including Mansour, Mansoor, and Mansouri, and is used across the Arab world, Iran, South Asia, and parts of Central Asia and Turkey.

Historically, the most prominent bearer is Abu Ja’far Abd Allah al-Mansur, known simply as al-Mansur, who reigned as the second Abbasid caliph from 754 to 775 CE. He played a key role in consolidating Abbasid rule, expanded the empire’s reach, and founded Baghdad as the Abbasid capital in 762. In medieval Islamic history, the title al-Mansur is frequently encountered as an honorific for rulers or leaders who achieved notable victories or power.

Beyond this figure, the name has been widely used as a personal name and surname across regions influenced by Arabic, Persian, and Turkic cultures. Variants and spellings reflect linguistic and transliteration differences rather than distinct meanings. Today, Mansur remains a common given name and surname in many Muslim-majority communities, continuing a tradition that links personal identity with historical associations of strength and support.