UK girl's name
Arooj
A feminine name of Arabic origin meaning "ascending", "rising" or "exalted".
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.
Arooj is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Arooj popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4192, with 5 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 1999, with 33 births.
This profile covers 417 England and Wales registrations across 27 recorded years from 1996 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 15% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 415 living people in the UK are called Arooj. 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
- • Arooj ranked #4192 for girls in England and Wales in 2024, with 5 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 1999, when 33 girls were registered as Arooj.
- • About 415 living people in the UK are estimated to have Arooj as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#4192
2024
Births in 2024
5
Latest year
Peak year
1999
33 births
Estimated living
415
2026
Meaning
What does Arooj mean?
The name Arooj has its origins in the Arabic language. It is derived from the Arabic word 'arj', which means 'mountain peak' or 'summit'. The name is believed to have originated in the Middle East region during the medieval period, when Arabic culture and language were widely prevalent.
One of the earliest recorded mentions of the name Arooj can be found in ancient Arabic poetry and literature. It was often used as a metaphor to describe the beauty and grandeur of nature, particularly the majestic mountains that dotted the landscape of the region. The name carried connotations of strength, resilience, and majesty, much like the towering peaks that inspired its creation.
Throughout history, several notable figures have borne the name Arooj. One of the earliest recorded individuals was Arooj al-Qays, a renowned pre-Islamic Arab poet who lived in the 6th century CE. He was known for his eloquent verses that celebrated the beauty of the desert and the nomadic lifestyle of the Arab tribes.
In the 16th century, Arooj Banu Begum, a powerful Rajput princess, ruled over parts of modern-day Gujarat and Rajasthan in India. She was renowned for her military prowess and her ability to navigate the complex political landscape of the time. Her reign left a lasting impact on the region's history.
Another notable figure was Arooj Khan, a celebrated Sufi singer and musician from Pakistan, who lived from 1936 to 2021. Her powerful voice and mastery of traditional Sufi music earned her widespread acclaim and numerous awards, including the prestigious Pride of Performance award from the Pakistani government.
In the world of literature, Arooj Nasir is a contemporary Pakistani novelist and short story writer. Born in 1979, she has published several critically acclaimed works that explore themes of identity, culture, and the complexities of modern life. Her writing has been widely praised for its poetic style and insightful observations.
Arooj Aftab is a Pakistani-American singer-songwriter and composer who has gained international recognition for her unique blend of jazz, folk, and Sufi music. Born in 1983, she has released several albums that showcase her versatility and artistic vision, earning her numerous awards and critical acclaim.
These are just a few examples of individuals who have carried the name Arooj throughout history, each leaving their mark in their respective fields and contributing to the rich tapestry of cultural heritage associated with this name.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Arooj over time
The chart below shows babies named Arooj registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1996 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 Arooj, the clearest high point is 1999. The latest England and Wales figure is 5 births in 2024, compared with 33 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Arooj by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Arooj 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 | #4454 | 13 | 3 |
| 2010s | #3042 | 96 | 10 |
| 2000s | #1106 | 231 | 10 |
| 1990s | #1148 | 77 | 4 |
Notable bearers
Famous people named Arooj
-
Arooj Shah
politician
British politician and leader of Oldham Metropolitan Borough Council
1978-
Related
Names similar to Arooj
- Amelia 94,830
- Ava 54,556
- Amy 52,495
- Alice 46,815
- Abigail 45,658
- Amber 31,922
- Anna 27,802
- Alexandra 19,455
- Amelie 18,051
- Abbie 15,971
- Aimee 15,158
- Annabelle 15,120
FAQ
Arooj: questions and answers
How popular is the name Arooj in the UK right now?
In 2024, Arooj was ranked #4192 for girls in England and Wales, with 5 births registered.
When was Arooj most popular?
The peak year on record was 1999, with 33 babies registered as Arooj in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Arooj?
A feminine name of Arabic origin meaning "ascending", "rising" or "exalted".
How many people are called Arooj in the UK?
A total of 417 babies have been registered as Arooj across the 27 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.