UK boy's name
Ashan
A name of Arabic origin meaning "deeply rooted" or "steadfast".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2020. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Ashan is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Ashan popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2020 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4608, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2003, with 8 births.
This profile covers 73 England and Wales registrations across 17 recorded years from 1996 to 2020. 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 72 living people in the UK are called Ashan. 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 2021 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Ashan ranked #4608 for boys in England and Wales in 2020, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2003, when 8 boys were registered as Ashan.
- • About 72 living people in the UK are estimated to have Ashan as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#4608
2020
Births in 2020
3
Latest year
Peak year
2003
8 births
Estimated living
72
2026
Meaning
What does Ashan mean?
The name Ashan is believed to have originated from ancient Sanskrit, one of the oldest Indo-Aryan languages that served as the root of many modern Indian languages. It is thought to be derived from the Sanskrit word "Ashana," which means "hope" or "desire." The name's origins can be traced back to the Indian subcontinent, where it was likely used in various regions during the ancient and medieval periods.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Ashan can be found in the Hindu epic Mahabharata, which dates back to around the 8th century BCE. In this ancient Sanskrit text, Ashan is mentioned as the name of a warrior and prince. This early reference suggests that the name held significance and was in use during the time when the Mahabharata was composed.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Ashan. In the 12th century, Ashan Khilji was a prominent Muslim ruler who governed parts of present-day Afghanistan and Pakistan. He was known for his military campaigns and for establishing the Khilji dynasty, which ruled the Delhi Sultanate from 1290 to 1320.
Another historical figure named Ashan was a 14th-century Persian poet and scholar. Ashan Samarqandi, born in 1349 in Samarkand (present-day Uzbekistan), was renowned for his contributions to literature and philosophy. His works included lyrical poetry and treatises on various subjects, including astronomy and mathematics.
In the 16th century, Ashan Khan was a influential Mughal nobleman and military commander who served under the emperors Akbar and Jahangir. He played a crucial role in several battles and campaigns, earning recognition for his valor and strategic prowess.
Moving forward to the 19th century, Ashan Ali Khan was a prominent Indian statesman and diplomat who served as the Nawab of Surat from 1856 to 1884. He was known for his efforts in modernizing the city and promoting education during his rule.
These are just a few examples of historical figures who bore the name Ashan, demonstrating its enduring presence and significance across various cultures and time periods. While the name's usage may have evolved over time, its roots can be traced back to the ancient Sanskrit language and the Indian subcontinent, where it carried meanings of hope and desire.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Ashan over time
The chart below shows babies named Ashan registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1996 to 2020. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Ashan, the clearest high point is 2003. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2020, compared with 8 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Ashan by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Ashan 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 | #4608 | 3 | 1 |
| 2010s | #3768 | 31 | 7 |
| 2000s | #3091 | 33 | 7 |
| 1990s | #2903 | 6 | 2 |
Related
Names similar to Ashan
- 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
Ashan: questions and answers
How popular is the name Ashan in the UK right now?
In 2020, Ashan was ranked #4608 for boys in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Ashan most popular?
The peak year on record was 2003, with 8 babies registered as Ashan in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Ashan?
A name of Arabic origin meaning "deeply rooted" or "steadfast".
How many people are called Ashan in the UK?
A total of 73 babies have been registered as Ashan across the 17 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.