NameCensus.

UK boy's name

Akilan

A masculine name of Tamil origin meaning "bright sun".

For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2021. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.

Akilan is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Akilan popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2021 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4789, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2021, with 3 births.

This profile covers 3 England and Wales registrations across 1 recorded years from 2021 to 2021. 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.

Akilan is at its recorded peak in the England and Wales series.

We estimate that about 3 living people in the UK are called Akilan. 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 2022 or 2026.

Key insights

  • Akilan ranked #4789 for boys in England and Wales in 2021, with 3 registrations.
  • The name peaked in 2021, when 3 boys were registered as Akilan.
  • About 3 living people in the UK are estimated to have Akilan as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.

Latest rank (E&W)

#4789

2021

Births in 2021

3

Latest year

Peak year

2021

3 births

Estimated living

3

2026

Meaning

What does Akilan mean?

The name Akilan is of Tamil origin, one of the ancient Dravidian languages spoken in southern India. It is believed to have emerged around the 5th century CE during the reign of the Pallava dynasty, which ruled parts of present-day Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh.

The name Akilan is derived from the Tamil word "akil," meaning "universe" or "cosmos." It signifies a connection with the vast expanse of the universe and carries a sense of vastness, infinity, and the all-encompassing nature of existence.

While the name does not appear in any major ancient texts or religious scriptures, it has been used by Tamil communities for centuries, particularly among those with a deep appreciation for the wonders of the cosmos and a spiritual connection to the natural world.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Akilan can be found in the 8th century CE, during the reign of the Chalukya dynasty. It is believed that a renowned Tamil astronomer and mathematician, who made significant contributions to the field of astrology, bore this name.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have carried the name Akilan. One such person was Akilan Chidambaram (1908-1993), a prominent Indian freedom fighter and politician who played a crucial role in the Indian independence movement. He was a close associate of Mahatma Gandhi and served as a member of the Indian National Congress.

Another famous bearer of the name was Akilan Sivasailam (1920-2001), a renowned Tamil writer and scholar. He authored numerous literary works, including novels, short stories, and essays, and was widely acclaimed for his contributions to Tamil literature.

In the field of science, Akilan Narayanan (1932-2018) was a pioneering Indian-American computer scientist and engineer. He made significant contributions to the development of computer networks and is often credited as one of the pioneers of the internet.

Akilan Arulselvan (1965-present) is a contemporary Indian-Malaysian entrepreneur and philanthropist. He has founded several successful businesses and is known for his charitable initiatives, particularly in the areas of education and healthcare.

Lastly, Akilan Pari (1978-present) is a well-known contemporary Tamil film director and screenwriter. His works have received critical acclaim and have explored themes of social justice, cultural identity, and the human condition.

These are just a few examples of individuals who have carried the name Akilan throughout history, each leaving their unique mark in their respective fields and contributing to the rich tapestry of human achievement and cultural heritage.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

Decades

Akilan by decade

Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Akilan 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 #4789 3 1

Related

Names similar to Akilan

FAQ

Akilan: questions and answers

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

In 2021, Akilan was ranked #4789 for boys in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.

When was Akilan most popular?

The peak year on record was 2021, with 3 babies registered as Akilan in England and Wales.

What is the meaning and origin of Akilan?

A masculine name of Tamil origin meaning "bright sun".

How many people are called Akilan in the UK?

A total of 3 babies have been registered as Akilan across the 1 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.