NameCensus.

UK boy's name

Anav

A name of Hebrew origin meaning "humble, modest, or meek".

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.

Anav is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Anav 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 2019, with 7 births.

This profile covers 23 England and Wales registrations across 5 recorded years from 2019 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 43% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.

We estimate that about 23 living people in the UK are called Anav. 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

  • Anav ranked #5119 for boys in England and Wales in 2024, with 3 registrations.
  • The name peaked in 2019, when 7 boys were registered as Anav.
  • About 23 living people in the UK are estimated to have Anav 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

2019

7 births

Estimated living

23

2026

Meaning

What does Anav mean?

The name Anav is believed to have originated from the Sanskrit language, which is one of the oldest Indo-Aryan languages spoken in the Indian subcontinent. The word "anav" in Sanskrit means "humble" or "modest." It is thought to have been derived from the Sanskrit root "an," which means "to breathe" or "to live."

In Hindu mythology, the name Anav is associated with the concept of humility and selflessness. The Bhagavad Gita, one of the most revered Hindu scriptures, emphasizes the importance of cultivating humility and detachment from ego as a means to attain spiritual enlightenment.

One of the earliest recorded uses of the name Anav can be found in ancient Indian texts and inscriptions dating back to the 3rd century BCE. During this period, the name was commonly used among the Brahmin community, which comprised the highest caste in the Hindu social hierarchy.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Anav. One such figure was Anav Ratan, a renowned Indian scholar and poet who lived during the 16th century. He was celebrated for his profound knowledge of Sanskrit literature and his poetic compositions.

Another prominent figure was Anav Kavi, a 17th-century Indian mystic and spiritual leader who founded a religious movement known as the Anav Panthi sect. He preached the importance of humility, compassion, and devotion to the divine.

In the 18th century, Anav Singh was a revered Sikh warrior and military leader who played a crucial role in the defense of the Sikh Empire against foreign invaders. He is remembered for his bravery and unwavering commitment to protecting his people.

Moving to more recent times, Anav Rattan Bedi was a distinguished Indian judge who served as the Chief Justice of the Punjab and Haryana High Court in the late 20th century. He was highly respected for his impartial judgments and upholding the principles of justice.

Another notable figure was Anav Sanyal, an Indian social activist and environmentalist who dedicated his life to promoting sustainable development and protecting the rights of indigenous communities. He received numerous awards and accolades for his tireless efforts.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

Popularity

Anav over time

The chart below shows babies named Anav registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2019 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 Anav, the clearest high point is 2019. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2024, compared with 7 at the peak.

Babies born per year

Anav
02457201920212024

Decades

Anav by decade

Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Anav 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 #4131 16 4
2010s #2728 7 1

Related

Names similar to Anav

FAQ

Anav: questions and answers

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

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

When was Anav most popular?

The peak year on record was 2019, with 7 babies registered as Anav in England and Wales.

What is the meaning and origin of Anav?

A name of Hebrew origin meaning "humble, modest, or meek".

How many people are called Anav in the UK?

A total of 23 babies have been registered as Anav across the 5 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.