UK name, mostly boys
Baran
A Persian name meaning "rain" or "rain giver".
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.
Baran is mostly registered for boys in the UK records. People looking for Baran popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #1322, with 20 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2016, with 29 births.
This profile covers 544 England and Wales registrations across 29 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 69% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 540 living people in the UK are called Baran. 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
- • Baran ranked #1322 for boys in England and Wales in 2024, with 20 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2016, when 29 boys were registered as Baran.
- • About 540 living people in the UK are estimated to have Baran as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
- • Across the England and Wales records shown here, 94.8% of Baran registrations are for boys.
Latest rank (E&W)
#1322
2024
Births in 2024
20
Latest year
Peak year
2016
29 births
Estimated living
540
2026
Gender
Boy and girl registrations for Baran
In England and Wales birth records, Baran has been registered for both boys and girls. Across the years shown here, 94.8% of registrations are for boys and 5.2% are for girls.
These figures use the sex categories in the published baby-name files. They are useful for spotting how the name is used at registration, but they are not a live measure of gender identity or everyone living with the name today.
Baran registered for boys
- Ranked #1,322 in 2024
- 20 boys registered in 2024
- Peak: 2016 (29 births)
Baran registered for girls
- Ranked #4,634 in 2021
- 4 girls registered in 2021
- Peak: 2008 (7 births)
Meaning
What does Baran mean?
The name Baran has its roots in the Persian language, originating from the Middle Persian word "varan," which means "rain." This name was prevalent during the ancient Persian Empire and is believed to have been initially used as a reference to the life-giving and nourishing properties of rainfall in the arid regions of Persia.
In ancient Persian mythology, Baran was also the name of a deity associated with rain, fertility, and agriculture. This divine connection further solidified the name's significance and its association with the natural cycles of life.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Baran can be found in the Shahnameh, the epic Persian poem written by Ferdowsi in the late 10th century. The work mentions a character named Baran, who was a valiant warrior and a hero celebrated for his bravery and valor.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Baran. One such figure was Baran I, a Kurdish ruler who reigned over the principality of Ardalan in present-day Iran during the 16th century. Another prominent bearer of this name was Baran Rizgar, a Kurdish poet and writer who lived in the 20th century and contributed significantly to the preservation of Kurdish literature and culture.
In the realm of art and literature, Baran Kendirci was a renowned Turkish painter and sculptor who lived from 1938 to 2016. His works often explored themes of human existence and the natural world, reflecting the name's connection to the elements.
Moving to the field of sports, Baran Pamukoglu was a Turkish basketball player who represented his country at the international level. He played professionally in Turkey and Spain, earning recognition for his skills on the court.
Lastly, Baran Rasoulof is an Iranian film director and screenwriter born in 1973. His work has been acclaimed for its thought-provoking explorations of social and political issues, often challenging societal norms and pushing boundaries in Iranian cinema.
These examples illustrate the diverse backgrounds and accomplishments of individuals who have carried the name Baran throughout history, reflecting the name's enduring cultural significance and its association with nature, creativity, and perseverance.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Baran over time
The chart below compares boys and girls registered as Baran in England and Wales, 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 Baran, the clearest high point is 2016. The latest England and Wales figure is 20 births in 2024, compared with 29 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Baran by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Baran 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 | #1295 | 103 | 5 |
| 2010s | #1353 | 203 | 10 |
| 2000s | #1049 | 205 | 10 |
| 1990s | #1674 | 33 | 4 |
Related
Names similar to Baran
- 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
Baran: questions and answers
How popular is the name Baran in the UK right now?
In 2024, Baran was ranked #1322 for boys in England and Wales, with 20 births registered.
When was Baran most popular?
The peak year on record was 2016, with 29 babies registered as Baran in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Baran?
A Persian name meaning "rain" or "rain giver".
How many people are called Baran in the UK?
A total of 544 babies have been registered as Baran across the 29 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.