Bashar (also transcribed as Bashshar or Bashshār) is an Arabic masculine given name that means "bringing good news". It is derived from the Arabic root bashshara, meaning "to bring good news," from the verb بشّر. The name carries a positive connotation of glad tidings and is used throughout the Arabic-speaking world. Cultural and Literary Significance One of the most notable historical bearers is Bashshār ibn Burd (circa 714–783), a blind poet of Persian ancestry considered one of the greatest Arabic poets of the Abbasid period. His full name includes the strict transliteration of Bashar. Bashshār ibn Burd composed satirical, panegyric, and love poetry and exerted a strong influence on later Arabic literature. Usage and Transliteration The name is pronounced /bəˈʃɑː(ɹ)/ in Received Pronunciation and /bəˈʃɑɹ/ in General American. Alternate forms include Bashshar and Bashshār, reflecting a stricter transliteration of the Arabic double consonant sh. Bashar is widespread in Arabic-speaking countries and among Muslim communities elsewhere. Key Facts Meaning: "bringing good news" Origin: Arabic (from root bashshara) Type: Masculine given name Usage: Arabic-speaking and Muslim communities