UK name, mostly boys
Anhad
A name of Hindi origin meaning "the infinite eternal sound".
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.
Also recorded as a girls' name in the UK, with 33 girls.
Anhad is mostly registered for boys in the UK records. People looking for Anhad popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #1517, with 17 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2024, with 17 births.
This profile covers 61 England and Wales registrations across 10 recorded years from 2011 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.
Anhad is at its recorded peak in the England and Wales series.
We estimate that about 61 living people in the UK are called Anhad. 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
- • Anhad ranked #1517 for boys in England and Wales in 2024, with 17 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2024, when 17 boys were registered as Anhad.
- • Anhad is also recorded for girls, but the boys side is the larger UK variant in these records.
- • About 61 living people in the UK are estimated to have Anhad as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
- • Across the England and Wales records shown here, 64.9% of Anhad registrations are for boys.
Latest rank (E&W)
#1517
2024
Births in 2024
17
Latest year
Peak year
2024
17 births
Estimated living
61
2026
Gender
Boy and girl registrations for Anhad
In England and Wales birth records, Anhad has been registered for both boys and girls. Across the years shown here, 64.9% of registrations are for boys and 35.1% are for girls.
These figures use the sex categories in the published baby-name files. They are useful for spotting how the name is used at registration, but they are not a live measure of gender identity or everyone living with the name today.
Anhad registered for boys
- Ranked #1,517 in 2024
- 17 boys registered in 2024
- Peak: 2024 (17 births)
Anhad registered for girls
- Ranked #2,115 in 2024
- 13 girls registered in 2024
- Peak: 2024 (13 births)
Meaning
What does Anhad mean?
The name Anhad is rooted in the Sanskrit language and originates from the Indian subcontinent. The word 'Anhad' means 'unstruck sound' or 'the celestial sound of the universe' in Sanskrit. It is a spiritual term used in various Indian philosophical and religious traditions, particularly in Sikhism and Hinduism.
In Sikhism, Anhad Naad or Anhad Shabad refers to the divine, eternal, and unstruck sound that resonates throughout the universe. It is considered the primordial vibration from which all creation emerged. The concept of Anhad is deeply embedded in Sikh scriptures, such as the Guru Granth Sahib, and is a central theme in Sikh mysticism and spiritual practice.
The name Anhad finds its roots in ancient Indian texts and scriptures, including the Upanishads and the Vedas. These sacred texts discuss the concept of Anhad or the cosmic sound, often described as the primordial vibration that sustains the universe. It is believed to be the source of all created sounds and the essence of the divine.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Anhad can be found in the writings of Guru Nanak Dev Ji (1469-1539), the founder of Sikhism. He extensively referred to the concept of Anhad Naad in his teachings and emphasized the importance of attuning oneself to this divine sound through meditation and spiritual practices.
Throughout history, several notable figures have borne the name Anhad. Anhad Singh Thaur (1901-1974) was a prominent Sikh leader and freedom fighter from Punjab, India, who played a significant role in the Indian independence movement. Another notable figure was Anhad Partap Singh (1835-1909), a Sikh ruler and the Maharaja of the princely state of Nabha in present-day Punjab, India.
In the realm of music, Anhad Naad Yogi (1948-2001) was a renowned Indian classical vocalist and spiritual teacher from the Sikh tradition. He was renowned for his mastery of the Gurbani Kirtan, the musical rendition of the Sikh scriptures, and his ability to convey the essence of Anhad Naad through his performances.
Anhad Fauzdar (1876-1939) was an Indian playwright and poet who contributed significantly to the Punjabi literature of the early 20th century. His works often explored spiritual themes and the concept of Anhad Naad.
Anhad Dev (1917-2002) was a noted Indian philosopher, writer, and social reformer from Punjab. He authored several books on Sikhism, emphasizing the importance of understanding the spiritual concept of Anhad Naad and its relevance in modern times.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Anhad over time
The chart below compares boys and girls registered as Anhad in England and Wales, from 2011 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 Anhad, the clearest high point is 2024. The latest England and Wales figure is 17 births in 2024, compared with 17 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Anhad by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Anhad 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 | #2857 | 43 | 5 |
| 2010s | #4235 | 18 | 5 |
Related
Names similar to Anhad
- 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
Anhad: questions and answers
How popular is the name Anhad in the UK right now?
In 2024, Anhad was ranked #1517 for boys in England and Wales, with 17 births registered.
When was Anhad most popular?
The peak year on record was 2024, with 17 babies registered as Anhad in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Anhad?
A name of Hindi origin meaning "the infinite eternal sound".
How many people are called Anhad in the UK?
A total of 61 babies have been registered as Anhad across the 10 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.