UK boy's name
Babak
Of Persian origin, meaning lion, brave or courageous one.
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2009. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Babak is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Babak popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2009 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4527, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 1996, with 3 births.
This profile covers 12 England and Wales registrations across 4 recorded years from 1996 to 2009. 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 100% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 12 living people in the UK are called Babak. 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 2010 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Babak ranked #4527 for boys in England and Wales in 2009, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 1996, when 3 boys were registered as Babak.
- • About 12 living people in the UK are estimated to have Babak as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#4527
2009
Births in 2009
3
Latest year
Peak year
1996
3 births
Estimated living
12
2026
Meaning
What does Babak mean?
The name Babak has its origins in the Persian language and culture, tracing back to ancient times. It is derived from the Middle Persian word "bābak," which translates to "little father" or "little chief." This name was likely given to boys as a term of endearment, reflecting a strong paternal bond.
During the Sasanian Empire, which ruled over ancient Persia from the 3rd to the 7th century AD, the name Babak gained prominence. It was mentioned in several ancient Persian texts and inscriptions from this era, indicating its widespread use among the nobility and common people alike.
One of the earliest recorded individuals bearing the name Babak was Babak Khorramdin (795-838 AD), a prominent Iranian revolutionary who led a rebellion against the Abbasid Caliphate. His uprising sought to revive the ancient Persian religion of Zoroastrianism and challenged the oppressive Arab rule. Although ultimately defeated, Babak Khorramdin became a symbol of resistance and national pride for the Persian people.
In the 11th century, Babak ibn Ali Arrajani (1001-1062 AD) was a renowned Persian mathematician and astronomer. He made significant contributions to the field of algebra and is credited with introducing the concept of algebraic symbolism, which paved the way for modern algebraic notation.
During the Seljuk Empire, which ruled over parts of the Middle East and Central Asia from the 11th to the 12th century, the name Babak was also associated with the arts and literature. Babak Kermani (1018-1088 AD) was a celebrated Persian poet known for his eloquent and lyrical verses, which often celebrated the beauty of nature and love.
In the 13th century, Babak Ganjayi (1216-1286 AD) was a renowned Persian physician and philosopher. He authored several influential works on medicine and philosophy, and his treatises were widely studied and referenced by scholars throughout the region.
The name Babak continued to be used by various Persian dynasties and empires over the centuries, reflecting its deep-rooted cultural significance. While its popularity may have waxed and waned, the name has endured as a testament to the rich heritage and history of the Persian people.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Babak over time
The chart below shows babies named Babak registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1996 to 2009. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Babak, the clearest high point is 1996. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2009, compared with 3 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Babak by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Babak 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | #4304 | 9 | 3 |
| 1990s | #2863 | 3 | 1 |
Related
Names similar to Babak
- Benjamin 90,412
- Ben 36,356
- Bradley 30,230
- Brandon 26,411
- Billy 18,608
- Bobby 16,904
- Blake 16,337
- Bailey 16,014
- Brody 7,230
- Beau 6,722
- Barnaby 5,284
- Brodie 4,801
FAQ
Babak: questions and answers
How popular is the name Babak in the UK right now?
In 2009, Babak was ranked #4527 for boys in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Babak most popular?
The peak year on record was 1996, with 3 babies registered as Babak in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Babak?
Of Persian origin, meaning lion, brave or courageous one.
How many people are called Babak in the UK?
A total of 12 babies have been registered as Babak across the 4 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.