NameCensus.

UK girl's name

Anayat

A name of Arabic origin meaning "kindness, grace, or favor".

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.

Anayat is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Anayat popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #869, with 42 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2024, with 42 births.

This profile covers 93 England and Wales registrations across 4 recorded years from 2021 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.

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

We estimate that about 93 living people in the UK are called Anayat. 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

  • Anayat ranked #869 for girls in England and Wales in 2024, with 42 registrations.
  • The name peaked in 2024, when 42 girls were registered as Anayat.
  • About 93 living people in the UK are estimated to have Anayat as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.

Latest rank (E&W)

#869

2024

Births in 2024

42

Latest year

Peak year

2024

42 births

Estimated living

93

2026

Meaning

What does Anayat mean?

The name Anayat originates from the Persian language, with its roots tracing back to ancient Iran and the Middle East region. It is believed to have emerged during the medieval period, around the 10th to 12th centuries AD, when Persian culture and literature flourished under various Islamic empires.

Anayat is derived from the Persian word "anayat," which means "grace," "favor," or "kindness." This linguistic connection suggests that the name was likely bestowed upon individuals to symbolize divine benevolence or a gracious character. In Persian mythology and literature, there are references to celestial beings and divine figures associated with grace and mercy, further reinforcing the name's spiritual connotations.

One of the earliest recorded mentions of the name Anayat can be found in the works of renowned Persian poets and scholars from the 11th and 12th centuries. Poets such as Ferdowsi, Saadi, and Rumi occasionally used the term "anayat" in their writings, reflecting the cultural significance of the concept during that era.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have carried the name Anayat. One such figure was Anayat Khan (1670-1743), a prominent Mughal nobleman and military commander who served under Emperor Aurangzeb in the Indian subcontinent. His valor and strategic prowess earned him a respected position in the imperial court.

Another individual of historical significance was Anayat Ullah Khan (1863-1941), a renowned Indian Muslim scholar and reformer. He played a pivotal role in the Islamic revival movement in British India and advocated for educational and social reforms within the Muslim community.

In the realm of literature, Anayat Hossain (1938-2021) was a renowned Bangladeshi novelist and writer. His works explored themes of social injustice, poverty, and the struggles of rural life in Bangladesh. He received numerous accolades, including the Ekushey Padak, one of the highest civilian honors in Bangladesh.

In the field of sports, Anayat Hosseini (born 1988) is an Afghan cricketer who has represented the national team in various international tournaments. He has achieved notable milestones as an all-rounder and has contributed to the growth of cricket in Afghanistan.

Lastly, Anayat Barahowi (born 1957) is an influential Afghan politician and diplomat. He has served as the Minister of Defense and the Ambassador of Afghanistan to several countries, playing a crucial role in international relations and security matters.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

Popularity

Anayat over time

The chart below shows babies named Anayat registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2021 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 Anayat, the clearest high point is 2024. The latest England and Wales figure is 42 births in 2024, compared with 42 at the peak.

Babies born per year

Anayat
011213242202120222024

Decades

Anayat by decade

Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Anayat 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 #1639 93 4

Related

Names similar to Anayat

FAQ

Anayat: questions and answers

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

In 2024, Anayat was ranked #869 for girls in England and Wales, with 42 births registered.

When was Anayat most popular?

The peak year on record was 2024, with 42 babies registered as Anayat in England and Wales.

What is the meaning and origin of Anayat?

A name of Arabic origin meaning "kindness, grace, or favor".

How many people are called Anayat in the UK?

A total of 93 babies have been registered as Anayat across the 4 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.