UK boy's name
Arsen
A masculine name of Persian origin meaning "male, virile".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2023. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Arsen is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Arsen popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2023 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4991, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2021, with 8 births.
This profile covers 36 England and Wales registrations across 8 recorded years from 2008 to 2023. 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 38% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 36 living people in the UK are called Arsen. 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 2024 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Arsen ranked #4991 for boys in England and Wales in 2023, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2021, when 8 boys were registered as Arsen.
- • About 36 living people in the UK are estimated to have Arsen as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#4991
2023
Births in 2023
3
Latest year
Peak year
2021
8 births
Estimated living
36
2026
Meaning
What does Arsen mean?
The name Arsen has its origins in the Armenian language and culture, with roots dating back to ancient times. The name is derived from the Armenian word "arsen," which means "male" or "masculine." This suggests that the name was likely given to signify strength, virility, and valor.
In ancient Armenian mythology, Arsen was also the name of a legendary hero known for his bravery and prowess in battle. Some historical records indicate that the name may have been used by Armenian nobility and warriors as early as the 5th century AD, during the height of the Armenian kingdom.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Arsen can be found in the Armenian epic poem "Daredevils of Sassoun," which dates back to the 8th century AD. In this legendary tale, Arsen is the name of one of the central characters, a skilled warrior and leader.
Throughout history, there have been several notable individuals who bore the name Arsen. One of the most famous was Arsen of Sapor, a 10th-century Armenian scholar and philosopher who made significant contributions to the fields of mathematics, astronomy, and theology. Another prominent figure was Arsen Ier, the 61st Armenian Patriarch of Constantinople, who lived from 1624 to 1673.
In the realm of literature, the name Arsen is associated with the 19th-century Armenian writer and poet, Arsen Ghazikian (1838-1887), who played a crucial role in the development of Armenian literature during the period of the Ottoman Empire.
Another notable Arsen was Arsen Adamov (1886-1941), a Bulgarian playwright and novelist who gained recognition for his avant-garde works and his contribution to the development of absurdist theatre.
In more recent times, Arsen Avakov (born 1964) is a prominent Ukrainian politician and businessman who served as the Minister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine from 2014 to 2021.
While the name Arsen may not be as common today as it once was, its ancient roots and historical significance in Armenian culture and literature have cemented its place in the annals of given names from around the world.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Arsen over time
The chart below shows babies named Arsen registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2008 to 2023. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Arsen, the clearest high point is 2021. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2023, compared with 8 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Arsen by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Arsen 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 | #3742 | 11 | 2 |
| 2010s | #3784 | 22 | 5 |
| 2000s | #4432 | 3 | 1 |
Related
Names similar to Arsen
- 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
Arsen: questions and answers
How popular is the name Arsen in the UK right now?
In 2023, Arsen was ranked #4991 for boys in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Arsen most popular?
The peak year on record was 2021, with 8 babies registered as Arsen in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Arsen?
A masculine name of Persian origin meaning "male, virile".
How many people are called Arsen in the UK?
A total of 36 babies have been registered as Arsen across the 8 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.