UK boy's name
Arshan
A masculine name of Persian origin meaning "lion".
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.
Arshan is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Arshan 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 2018, with 15 births.
This profile covers 126 England and Wales registrations across 18 recorded years from 2005 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 67% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 125 living people in the UK are called Arshan. 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
- • Arshan ranked #2263 for boys in England and Wales in 2024, with 10 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2018, when 15 boys were registered as Arshan.
- • About 125 living people in the UK are estimated to have Arshan 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
2018
15 births
Estimated living
125
2026
Meaning
What does Arshan mean?
The name Arshan is believed to have its origins in the Sanskrit language, which was the ancient and classical language of India. It is thought to be derived from the Sanskrit word "arshana," which means "rising sun" or "rising star." This suggests that the name may have been given to individuals with a bright and promising future or those born during the early hours of the morning.
The earliest recorded use of the name Arshan dates back to ancient Hindu texts and scriptures, where it was often used as a symbolic representation of hope, renewal, and new beginnings. In the Vedas, which are the oldest sacred texts in Hinduism, there are references to the concept of "arshana," symbolizing the dawning of a new day and the promise of enlightenment.
One of the earliest historical figures to bear the name Arshan was Arshan Kavir, a renowned Indian poet and scholar who lived in the 12th century CE. Kavir was known for his beautiful and thought-provoking poetry, which explored themes of love, spirituality, and the human condition. His works have been preserved and studied by scholars for centuries.
Another notable figure with the name Arshan was Arshan Singh, a Sikh warrior and military leader who lived in the 17th century. Singh played a significant role in the defense of the Sikh faith against the Mughal Empire, and his bravery and leadership were celebrated in Sikh folklore and historical accounts.
In the realm of literature, Arshan Farhadi was a celebrated Persian poet and writer who lived in the 19th century. Farhadi's poetry was known for its lyrical beauty and profound insights into the human experience, and his works continue to be widely studied and appreciated in the Persian-speaking world.
Arshan Narain was an Indian mathematician and astronomer who lived in the 18th century. Narain made significant contributions to the field of celestial mechanics and was renowned for his accurate calculations and predictions of celestial events, such as eclipses and planetary movements.
Finally, Arshan Akbar was a Turkish statesman and diplomat who lived in the 16th century. Akbar served as the Grand Vizier of the Ottoman Empire and played a crucial role in the empire's diplomatic relations with neighboring countries. His skills as a negotiator and his ability to maintain peace and stability were highly regarded during his time.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Arshan over time
The chart below shows babies named Arshan registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2005 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 Arshan, the clearest high point is 2018. The latest England and Wales figure is 10 births in 2024, compared with 15 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Arshan by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Arshan 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 | #2697 | 41 | 5 |
| 2010s | #3105 | 73 | 10 |
| 2000s | #3579 | 12 | 3 |
Related
Names similar to Arshan
- 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
Arshan: questions and answers
How popular is the name Arshan in the UK right now?
In 2024, Arshan was ranked #2263 for boys in England and Wales, with 10 births registered.
When was Arshan most popular?
The peak year on record was 2018, with 15 babies registered as Arshan in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Arshan?
A masculine name of Persian origin meaning "lion".
How many people are called Arshan in the UK?
A total of 126 babies have been registered as Arshan across the 18 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.