UK boy's name
Araz
A Persian name meaning "river flowing down from mountains".
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.
Araz is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Araz popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #2263, with 10 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2021, with 10 births.
This profile covers 77 England and Wales registrations across 14 recorded years from 2009 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 100% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 77 living people in the UK are called Araz. 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
- • Araz ranked #2263 for boys in England and Wales in 2024, with 10 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2021, when 10 boys were registered as Araz.
- • About 77 living people in the UK are estimated to have Araz as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#2263
2024
Births in 2024
10
Latest year
Peak year
2021
10 births
Estimated living
77
2026
Meaning
What does Araz mean?
The name Araz has its origins in the Persian language, tracing back to ancient times in regions now encompassing modern-day Iran, Afghanistan, and Central Asia. The name is derived from the Persian word "ārāz," meaning "poplar tree" or "willow." It is believed to have been a common name among the ancient Iranian peoples, who revered nature and associated names with elements of the natural world.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Araz can be found in the Shahnameh, the epic Persian poem composed by the renowned poet Ferdowsi in the late 10th and early 11th centuries. In this literary masterpiece, Araz is mentioned as the name of a warrior who fought alongside the legendary hero Rustam.
Throughout history, several notable figures have borne the name Araz. One such individual was Araz Mirza (1472-1523), a Persian prince and governor during the Safavid dynasty. He was known for his patronage of the arts and his support for poets and scholars.
Another notable figure was Araz Khan (c. 1620-1680), an influential military commander and statesman who served under the Mughal Empire in India. He played a pivotal role in the conquest of the Deccan region and was renowned for his strategic abilities on the battlefield.
In the realm of literature, Araz Gul (1866-1948) was a prominent Afghan poet and writer who made significant contributions to the development of modern Afghan literature. His works explored themes of love, spirituality, and the human condition, earning him widespread acclaim.
During the 20th century, Araz Nuri (1905-1998) was a renowned Kurdish poet and writer from Iran. His poetic works, written in the Sorani Kurdish dialect, played a crucial role in preserving and promoting Kurdish culture and language.
These are just a few examples of notable individuals who have carried the name Araz throughout history, each leaving an indelible mark in their respective fields and contributing to the rich tapestry of human civilization.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Araz over time
The chart below shows babies named Araz registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2009 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 Araz, the clearest high point is 2021. The latest England and Wales figure is 10 births in 2024, compared with 10 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Araz by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Araz 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 | #2766 | 38 | 5 |
| 2010s | #3840 | 35 | 8 |
| 2000s | #3744 | 4 | 1 |
Related
Names similar to Araz
- 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
Araz: questions and answers
How popular is the name Araz in the UK right now?
In 2024, Araz was ranked #2263 for boys in England and Wales, with 10 births registered.
When was Araz most popular?
The peak year on record was 2021, with 10 babies registered as Araz in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Araz?
A Persian name meaning "river flowing down from mountains".
How many people are called Araz in the UK?
A total of 77 babies have been registered as Araz across the 14 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.