NameCensus.

UK boy's name

Ajan

A male name of Southeast Asian origin meaning "teacher" or "master".

For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2024. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.

Ajan is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Ajan popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #5119, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2018, with 10 births.

This profile covers 68 England and Wales registrations across 13 recorded years from 2004 to 2024. The figures come from ONS England and Wales, so the page is a view of published baby-name registrations rather than a forecast or a live count of people using the name today.

The latest count is about 30% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.

We estimate that about 68 living people in the UK are called Ajan. This uses published birth registrations from England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, then applies ONS national life tables to estimate how many are likely still alive. It does not forecast extra births for 2025 or 2026.

Key insights

  • Ajan ranked #5119 for boys in England and Wales in 2024, with 3 registrations.
  • The name peaked in 2018, when 10 boys were registered as Ajan.
  • About 68 living people in the UK are estimated to have Ajan as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.

Latest rank (E&W)

#5119

2024

Births in 2024

3

Latest year

Peak year

2018

10 births

Estimated living

68

2026

Meaning

What does Ajan mean?

The given name Ajan has its origins in the Indian subcontinent, specifically in the Sanskrit language. It is derived from the Sanskrit word "ajana," meaning "birthless" or "unborn." This name is often associated with the Hindu and Buddhist faiths, where it holds significant spiritual and philosophical connotations.

In Hinduism, the concept of ajana refers to the eternal and uncreated nature of the soul or the Atman. It signifies the belief that the true essence of an individual is not bound by birth or death, but rather transcends the cycle of reincarnation. The name Ajan, therefore, carries a profound meaning, symbolizing the idea of being free from the limitations of the material world and embracing the infinite and eternal aspects of existence.

Ajan can also be found in ancient Buddhist texts, particularly in the Pali Canon, which is a collection of Buddhist scriptures. In this context, the name is associated with the notion of non-attachment and the liberation from the cycle of suffering (samsara). It is believed that by attaining the state of ajana, one can achieve enlightenment and break free from the cycle of rebirth.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Ajan can be traced back to the 6th century BCE. Ajan Bhavatu, a renowned Buddhist monk and scholar, is credited with contributing significantly to the development of Buddhist philosophy during the time of Gautama Buddha. His teachings and writings have had a lasting impact on the Buddhist tradition.

Another prominent figure bearing the name Ajan was Ajan Brahm (1551-1631), a revered Hindu philosopher and spiritual teacher from India. His teachings focused on the concept of non-duality (Advaita Vedanta) and the realization of the ultimate truth, which transcends the limitations of the physical world.

In the 19th century, Ajan Singh (1822-1887), a Sikh warrior and leader from Punjab, played a crucial role in the Sikh struggle against the British rule in India. His bravery and dedication to the cause of freedom earned him a place in the annals of Sikh history.

Moving into the 20th century, Ajan Tara (1904-1986) was a notable Indian film actor and director who made significant contributions to the Bengali cinema industry. His performances in movies such as "Uttara Falguni" and "Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu" earned him critical acclaim and a devoted following.

Lastly, Ajan Shakya (1925-2015), a Nepalese Buddhist monk and scholar, was widely respected for his expertise in Tibetan Buddhist philosophy and his efforts in preserving and promoting the Vajrayana tradition. His teachings and writings have influenced generations of Buddhist practitioners around the world.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

Popularity

Ajan over time

The chart below shows babies named Ajan registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2004 to 2024. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.

For Ajan, the clearest high point is 2018. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2024, compared with 10 at the peak.

Babies born per year

Ajan
035810200420142024

Decades

Ajan by decade

Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Ajan was a short-lived spike or a name that stayed in regular use. Average rank is calculated only from years where a published rank exists.

Decade Average rank Total births Years covered
2020s #3630 20 4
2010s #3233 42 7
2000s #3992 6 2

Related

Names similar to Ajan

FAQ

Ajan: questions and answers

How popular is the name Ajan in the UK right now?

In 2024, Ajan was ranked #5119 for boys in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.

When was Ajan most popular?

The peak year on record was 2018, with 10 babies registered as Ajan in England and Wales.

What is the meaning and origin of Ajan?

A male name of Southeast Asian origin meaning "teacher" or "master".

How many people are called Ajan in the UK?

A total of 68 babies have been registered as Ajan across the 13 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here.

Which records is this page based on?

The England and Wales timeline uses ONS baby-name records. Scotland figures come from NRS and Northern Ireland figures come from NISRA. Counts are registrations in published baby-name files. The living estimate uses those birth registrations with ONS national life tables.