UK boy's name
Azad
Of Persian origin, meaning "free" or "independent" (less than 5 words).
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.
Azad is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Azad popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #1758, with 14 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2015, with 21 births.
This profile covers 258 England and Wales registrations across 28 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 67% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 256 living people in the UK are called Azad. 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
- • Azad ranked #1758 for boys in England and Wales in 2024, with 14 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2015, when 21 boys were registered as Azad.
- • About 256 living people in the UK are estimated to have Azad as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#1758
2024
Births in 2024
14
Latest year
Peak year
2015
21 births
Estimated living
256
2026
Meaning
What does Azad mean?
The name Azad has its origins in the Persian language, where it means "free" or "liberated." This name has been in use for centuries, particularly in regions with cultural and historical ties to Persia, which is now modern-day Iran.
The earliest recorded use of the name Azad can be traced back to the 9th century, during the Islamic Golden Age. It was a popular name among Persian poets and scholars, who often used it to symbolize the pursuit of knowledge and intellectual freedom.
One of the most notable historical figures bearing the name Azad was Azad Bilgrami (1704-1786), a renowned Sufi philosopher and poet from the Mughal Empire. His works, which explored themes of spirituality and self-discovery, were highly influential in the region.
Another prominent individual with the name Azad was Abul Kalam Azad (1888-1958), an Indian scholar, poet, and political leader who played a crucial role in India's struggle for independence. He served as the first Minister of Education in independent India and was a staunch advocate for secular education.
In the 20th century, the name Azad gained popularity among those fighting for freedom and independence from colonial rule. Azad Hind (1915-1997), an Indian revolutionary and a prominent figure in the Indian independence movement, adopted the name Azad as a symbol of his commitment to liberating India from British rule.
Azad Nagar (1927-2008), a Pakistani poet and writer, also bore this name. His literary works, which often explored themes of social justice and human rights, earned him widespread acclaim and numerous awards.
Another notable individual with the name Azad was Azad Jammu and Kashmir (1910-1987), a prominent political leader and activist who played a crucial role in the independence movement of the region of Jammu and Kashmir in the Indian subcontinent.
The name Azad has transcended its historical and cultural roots, and today it is used by people from various backgrounds and regions, particularly those who value the ideals of freedom, independence, and liberation.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Azad over time
The chart below shows babies named Azad 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 Azad, the clearest high point is 2015. The latest England and Wales figure is 14 births in 2024, compared with 21 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Azad by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Azad 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 | #1659 | 75 | 5 |
| 2010s | #2239 | 108 | 10 |
| 2000s | #2687 | 58 | 10 |
| 1990s | #1944 | 17 | 3 |
Related
Names similar to Azad
- 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
Azad: questions and answers
How popular is the name Azad in the UK right now?
In 2024, Azad was ranked #1758 for boys in England and Wales, with 14 births registered.
When was Azad most popular?
The peak year on record was 2015, with 21 babies registered as Azad in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Azad?
Of Persian origin, meaning "free" or "independent" (less than 5 words).
How many people are called Azad in the UK?
A total of 258 babies have been registered as Azad across the 28 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.