UK boy's name
Aneel
A masculine name of Arabic origin meaning "heavenly light" or "rays of sun".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2013. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Aneel is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Aneel popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2013 in this profile. In that release it ranked #3822, with 4 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 1996, with 4 births.
This profile covers 18 England and Wales registrations across 5 recorded years from 1996 to 2013. 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 100% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 18 living people in the UK are called Aneel. 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 2014 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Aneel ranked #3822 for boys in England and Wales in 2013, with 4 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 1996, when 4 boys were registered as Aneel.
- • About 18 living people in the UK are estimated to have Aneel as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#3822
2013
Births in 2013
4
Latest year
Peak year
1996
4 births
Estimated living
18
2026
Meaning
What does Aneel mean?
The name Aneel is of Arabic origin and can be traced back to the 7th century CE. It is derived from the Arabic word "an-Noor," which means "the light" or "the illumination." The name is often associated with the Islamic faith and its teachings about divine guidance and enlightenment.
In the early Islamic period, the name Aneel was sometimes used as a symbolic name for newborn children, signifying the hope that they would be a source of enlightenment and wisdom for their families and communities. It was also occasionally given to individuals who were known for their deep spiritual understanding or their ability to illuminate complex ideas.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Aneel can be found in the works of the renowned Islamic scholar and philosopher Al-Ghazali (1058-1111 CE). In his writings, Al-Ghazali mentions a contemporary scholar named Aneel ibn Ahmad, who was known for his expertise in Islamic jurisprudence and his efforts to promote religious education.
Throughout the centuries, the name Aneel has been borne by several notable figures in the Islamic world. One such individual was Aneel al-Qudsi (1077-1142 CE), a Sufi mystic and poet from Damascus. His poetic works, which often explored themes of divine love and spiritual enlightenment, were widely influential in the Sufi tradition.
Another prominent figure with the name Aneel was Aneel al-Din al-Jilli (1259-1325 CE), a Sufi scholar and philosopher from modern-day Iran. He is best known for his work "Al-Insān al-Kāmil" (The Perfect Man), which explored the concept of the human being as a reflection of the divine attributes.
In the 16th century, Aneel Khan (1556-1626 CE) was a prominent military leader and governor in the Mughal Empire, serving under the reign of Emperor Akbar. He was renowned for his military prowess and his contributions to the expansion and consolidation of Mughal rule in northern India.
During the 19th century, Aneel Musavir (1809-1876 CE) was a celebrated Indian artist and calligrapher from the region of Awadh (modern-day Uttar Pradesh). His intricate calligraphic works, often adorned with intricate floral designs, were highly sought after and are now housed in various museums and private collections around the world.
While these are just a few examples, the name Aneel has been carried by many other notable individuals throughout history, spanning various fields such as literature, philosophy, religion, and the arts. Its enduring presence reflects the cultural and spiritual significance of this name, which continues to be cherished and bestowed upon children in many parts of the world.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Aneel over time
The chart below shows babies named Aneel registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1996 to 2013. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Aneel, the clearest high point is 1996. The latest England and Wales figure is 4 births in 2013, compared with 4 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Aneel by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Aneel 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | #3822 | 4 | 1 |
| 2000s | #3521 | 10 | 3 |
| 1990s | #2357 | 4 | 1 |
Related
Names similar to Aneel
- Alfie 86,546
- Alexander 85,525
- Adam 71,855
- Archie 59,965
- Arthur 43,586
- Aaron 36,366
- Alex 32,729
- Andrew 20,169
- Arlo 19,061
- Aidan 16,776
- Albie 16,017
- Albert 15,809
FAQ
Aneel: questions and answers
How popular is the name Aneel in the UK right now?
In 2013, Aneel was ranked #3822 for boys in England and Wales, with 4 births registered.
When was Aneel most popular?
The peak year on record was 1996, with 4 babies registered as Aneel in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Aneel?
A masculine name of Arabic origin meaning "heavenly light" or "rays of sun".
How many people are called Aneel in the UK?
A total of 18 babies have been registered as Aneel 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.