NameCensus.

UK boy's name

Balian

A masculine name of Turkish origin meaning "honey maker or bear keeper".

For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2015. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.

Balian is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Balian popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2015 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4747, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2013, with 4 births.

This profile covers 10 England and Wales registrations across 3 recorded years from 2012 to 2015. 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 75% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.

We estimate that about 10 living people in the UK are called Balian. 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 2016 or 2026.

Key insights

  • Balian ranked #4747 for boys in England and Wales in 2015, with 3 registrations.
  • The name peaked in 2013, when 4 boys were registered as Balian.
  • About 10 living people in the UK are estimated to have Balian as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.

Latest rank (E&W)

#4747

2015

Births in 2015

3

Latest year

Peak year

2013

4 births

Estimated living

10

2026

Meaning

What does Balian mean?

The name Balian has its roots in the Armenian language and culture, originating in the medieval period. It is derived from the Armenian word "bal," meaning "honey," and is often associated with sweetness, gentleness, and kindness.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Balian dates back to the 12th century, when it was borne by Balian of Ibelin, a prominent figure during the Crusades. He played a crucial role in the defense of Jerusalem against Saladin's forces in 1187 and later became the Lord of Beirut.

Another notable figure with the name Balian was Balian d'Ibelin, a 13th-century nobleman and military leader who served as the Constable of Jerusalem during the Sixth Crusade. He was known for his bravery and diplomatic skills, and his exploits were recorded in various chronicles of the Crusades.

In the 14th century, Balian Butron was a prominent Armenian nobleman and military leader who fought against the Mamluk Sultanate. He is remembered for his efforts in defending the Armenian Kingdom of Cilicia and his resistance against the Mamluk invasion.

Moving forward in time, Balian Beshiktashlian (1828-1890) was an Armenian writer, journalist, and educator who made significant contributions to the development of modern Armenian literature and education. He founded several schools and published numerous works, including textbooks and literary works.

Another notable figure with the name Balian was Balian Ardzrouni (1921-1987), an Armenian painter and artist who is considered one of the pioneers of modern Armenian art. His works, which often depicted Armenian landscapes and folklore, are celebrated for their unique style and artistic expression.

Throughout history, the name Balian has been associated with bravery, leadership, and cultural significance, particularly within the Armenian community. Its origins can be traced back to ancient times, and it has been carried by influential figures across various fields, from military leaders and nobles to writers, artists, and educators.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

Popularity

Balian over time

The chart below shows babies named Balian registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2012 to 2015. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.

For Balian, the clearest high point is 2013. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2015, compared with 4 at the peak.

Babies born per year

Balian
01234201220132015

Decades

Balian by decade

Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Balian 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
2010s #4458 10 3

Related

Names similar to Balian

FAQ

Balian: questions and answers

How popular is the name Balian in the UK right now?

In 2015, Balian was ranked #4747 for boys in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.

When was Balian most popular?

The peak year on record was 2013, with 4 babies registered as Balian in England and Wales.

What is the meaning and origin of Balian?

A masculine name of Turkish origin meaning "honey maker or bear keeper".

How many people are called Balian in the UK?

A total of 10 babies have been registered as Balian across the 3 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.