NameCensus.

UK boy's name

Akshay

An Indian name meaning eternal, imperishable, or never diminishing.

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.

Akshay is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Akshay popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #3254, with 6 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 1996, with 51 births.

This profile covers 460 England and Wales registrations across 29 recorded years from 1996 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 12% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.

We estimate that about 456 living people in the UK are called Akshay. 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

  • Akshay ranked #3254 for boys in England and Wales in 2024, with 6 registrations.
  • The name peaked in 1996, when 51 boys were registered as Akshay.
  • About 456 living people in the UK are estimated to have Akshay as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.

Latest rank (E&W)

#3254

2024

Births in 2024

6

Latest year

Peak year

1996

51 births

Estimated living

456

2026

Meaning

What does Akshay mean?

The name Akshay has its roots in Sanskrit, an ancient language of the Indian subcontinent. It is derived from the word "akshaya," which means "imperishable," "eternal," or "never-diminishing." The name is believed to have originated in the Hindu tradition, where it holds spiritual significance.

One of the earliest recorded mentions of the name Akshay can be found in ancient Hindu scriptures, such as the Vedas and the Puranas. It was often associated with deities and revered figures, symbolizing their everlasting nature and divine qualities.

In Hindu mythology, Akshay is also one of the names attributed to Lord Vishnu, the preserver and protector of the universe. This association further reinforces the name's connection with eternity and the concept of preserving life and order.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Akshay. One of the earliest recorded examples is Akshay Brahman, a renowned Indian philosopher and scholar from the 6th century CE. He made significant contributions to the fields of logic, epistemology, and philosophy of language.

Another prominent figure with the name Akshay was Akshay Kumar Datta (1820-1886), a Bengali writer, and social reformer. He played a crucial role in the Bengal Renaissance and advocated for women's education and the abolition of social evils like child marriage.

In the realm of literature, Akshay Moitra (1888-1956) was a distinguished Bengali novelist and short story writer. His works explored themes of social injustice, poverty, and the human condition, earning him critical acclaim.

Moving forward in time, Akshay Kumar (born 1967) is a prominent Indian actor and producer who has starred in numerous Bollywood films. His successful career in the entertainment industry has made him a household name in India and abroad.

Another notable individual with the name Akshay is Akshay Venkatesh (born 1981), an Australian mathematician of Indian descent. In 2018, he was awarded the prestigious Fields Medal, often regarded as the highest honor in mathematics, for his groundbreaking contributions to the field.

These are just a few examples of individuals throughout history who have carried the name Akshay, highlighting its enduring presence across various fields and cultures.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

Popularity

Akshay over time

The chart below shows babies named Akshay registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1996 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 Akshay, the clearest high point is 1996. The latest England and Wales figure is 6 births in 2024, compared with 51 at the peak.

Babies born per year

Akshay
013263851199620102024

Decades

Akshay by decade

Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Akshay 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 #3890 22 5
2010s #2100 109 10
2000s #1031 205 10
1990s #611 124 4

Notable bearers

Famous people named Akshay

  • Akshay Kumar

    actor

    British actor

    1994-

  • Akshay Khanna

    actor

    British actor

  • Akshay Ruparelia

    estate agent

    Internet entrepreneur from United Kingdom

Related

Names similar to Akshay

FAQ

Akshay: questions and answers

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

In 2024, Akshay was ranked #3254 for boys in England and Wales, with 6 births registered.

When was Akshay most popular?

The peak year on record was 1996, with 51 babies registered as Akshay in England and Wales.

What is the meaning and origin of Akshay?

An Indian name meaning eternal, imperishable, or never diminishing.

How many people are called Akshay in the UK?

A total of 460 babies have been registered as Akshay across the 29 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.