UK boy's name
Atharva
Of Hindu origin, a name meaning "ancient" and connected to sacred texts.
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.
Atharva is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Atharva popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #1595, with 16 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2021, with 19 births.
This profile covers 145 England and Wales registrations across 19 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 84% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 144 living people in the UK are called Atharva. 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
- • Atharva ranked #1595 for boys in England and Wales in 2024, with 16 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2021, when 19 boys were registered as Atharva.
- • About 144 living people in the UK are estimated to have Atharva as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#1595
2024
Births in 2024
16
Latest year
Peak year
2021
19 births
Estimated living
144
2026
Meaning
What does Atharva mean?
The name Atharva has its origins in ancient Indian history and culture, specifically in the Vedic tradition. It is derived from the Sanskrit word "Atharva," which refers to one of the four principal Vedas, the Atharvaveda.
The Atharvaveda is a sacred collection of hymns, incantations, and magical spells, believed to have been composed between 1200 and 900 BCE. The name Atharva is closely associated with this ancient Hindu scripture, which is considered the fourth and final Veda, after the Rigveda, Yajurveda, and Samaveda.
The earliest recorded use of the name Atharva can be traced back to the Vedic period in ancient India. It is believed that the name was initially given to individuals who were well-versed in the teachings and rituals of the Atharvaveda, or those who dedicated their lives to the study and practice of this sacred text.
One of the most notable historical figures to bear the name Atharva was Atharvan, a legendary sage and scholar of the Atharvaveda. He is revered as the compiler and preserver of the Atharvaveda, and is often referred to as the "father" of this ancient Hindu scripture.
Another significant figure in Indian history who bore the name Atharva was Atharva Veda Shakha, a renowned scholar and teacher of the Atharvaveda who lived in the 7th century CE. He is credited with establishing a prominent school of learning dedicated to the study and preservation of the Atharvaveda.
In the realm of literature, the name Atharva is associated with the ancient Indian poet and playwright Atharva Kavir, who lived during the 5th century CE. He is renowned for his poetic works and plays, which drew inspiration from the Atharvaveda and other ancient Indian texts.
Atharva Shastri, a celebrated Indian mathematician and astronomer, who lived in the 11th century CE, also bore this name. He made significant contributions to the fields of mathematics and astronomy, and his works were heavily influenced by the Vedic tradition.
Atharva Vidyalankar was a renowned Sanskrit scholar and grammarian who lived in the 16th century CE. He authored several works on Sanskrit grammar and literature, and his teachings were widely respected in academic circles of that era.
The name Atharva has maintained a strong connection to its Vedic roots throughout history, and has been associated with individuals who have made significant contributions to the study, preservation, and propagation of the Atharvaveda and the broader Vedic tradition.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Atharva over time
The chart below shows babies named Atharva 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 Atharva, the clearest high point is 2021. The latest England and Wales figure is 16 births in 2024, compared with 19 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Atharva by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Atharva 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 | #2151 | 62 | 5 |
| 2010s | #2966 | 66 | 10 |
| 2000s | #3411 | 17 | 4 |
Related
Names similar to Atharva
- 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
Atharva: questions and answers
How popular is the name Atharva in the UK right now?
In 2024, Atharva was ranked #1595 for boys in England and Wales, with 16 births registered.
When was Atharva most popular?
The peak year on record was 2021, with 19 babies registered as Atharva in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Atharva?
Of Hindu origin, a name meaning "ancient" and connected to sacred texts.
How many people are called Atharva in the UK?
A total of 145 babies have been registered as Atharva across the 19 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.