NameCensus.

UK boy's name

Arez

Of Persian origin, meaning "cedar tree".

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.

Arez is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Arez popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #3688, with 5 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2012, with 6 births.

This profile covers 42 England and Wales registrations across 10 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 83% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.

We estimate that about 42 living people in the UK are called Arez. 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

  • Arez ranked #3688 for boys in England and Wales in 2024, with 5 registrations.
  • The name peaked in 2012, when 6 boys were registered as Arez.
  • About 42 living people in the UK are estimated to have Arez as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.

Latest rank (E&W)

#3688

2024

Births in 2024

5

Latest year

Peak year

2012

6 births

Estimated living

42

2026

Meaning

What does Arez mean?

The name Arez has its origins in the Persian language, with roots dating back to ancient Persia (modern-day Iran) and the surrounding regions of Central Asia. It is derived from the Persian word "Areza," which means "wish" or "desire." The name likely gained popularity during the reign of the Achaemenid Empire, one of the earliest and most influential Persian empires, which existed from the 6th to 4th centuries BCE.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Arez can be found in the Avestan texts, the sacred scriptures of Zoroastrianism, an ancient Iranian religion. These texts, which date back to around the 6th century BCE, mention individuals with names similar to Arez, such as Arezav and Arezura.

Throughout history, several notable figures have borne the name Arez. One of the earliest was Arez the Brave, a Persian warrior who fought alongside Darius the Great during the Achaemenid Empire's conquest of Greece in the 5th century BCE. His bravery and valor were celebrated in ancient Persian literature.

Another famous Arez was Arez al-Din, a prominent Persian poet and philosopher who lived during the 12th century CE. He was renowned for his writings on Sufism and his contributions to the development of Persian literature.

In the 14th century, Arez ibn Battuta, a renowned Moroccan scholar and explorer, embarked on an incredible journey that took him across vast stretches of the Muslim world, from North Africa to Southeast Asia. His travels and detailed accounts of the places he visited have provided invaluable insights into the cultures and societies of that era.

During the 16th century, Arez Beik, a skilled architect and engineer, played a crucial role in the construction of the iconic Taj Mahal in Agra, India. His expertise in Persian architectural styles and intricate designs contributed significantly to the creation of this magnificent mausoleum, which stands as a testament to his talent and dedication.

More recently, in the 20th century, Arez Badiozamani was a prominent Iranian artist and sculptor. His works, which often portrayed themes of Persian mythology and folklore, gained widespread recognition and are celebrated for their intricate details and cultural significance.

The name Arez has been carried through the centuries, and while its popularity may have fluctuated over time, it remains a part of the rich cultural heritage of Persia and the wider Middle Eastern region. Its enduring presence serves as a reminder of the ancient roots and diverse histories that have shaped the world we live in today.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

Popularity

Arez over time

The chart below shows babies named Arez 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 Arez, the clearest high point is 2012. The latest England and Wales figure is 5 births in 2024, compared with 6 at the peak.

Babies born per year

Arez
02356200920162024

Decades

Arez by decade

Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Arez 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 #3863 18 4
2010s #3954 21 5
2000s #4527 3 1

Related

Names similar to Arez

FAQ

Arez: questions and answers

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

In 2024, Arez was ranked #3688 for boys in England and Wales, with 5 births registered.

When was Arez most popular?

The peak year on record was 2012, with 6 babies registered as Arez in England and Wales.

What is the meaning and origin of Arez?

Of Persian origin, meaning "cedar tree".

How many people are called Arez in the UK?

A total of 42 babies have been registered as Arez 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.