UK girl's name
Belen
A Spanish feminine name derived from Bethlehem, a biblical place name.
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2021. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Belen is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Belen popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2021 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4634, with 4 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2014, with 4 births.
This profile covers 20 England and Wales registrations across 6 recorded years from 1997 to 2021. 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 20 living people in the UK are called Belen. 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 2022 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Belen ranked #4634 for girls in England and Wales in 2021, with 4 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2014, when 4 girls were registered as Belen.
- • About 20 living people in the UK are estimated to have Belen as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#4634
2021
Births in 2021
4
Latest year
Peak year
2014
4 births
Estimated living
20
2026
Meaning
What does Belen mean?
Belen is a given name with roots tracing back to ancient history and various cultures. The name is derived from the Greek word "Bethlehem", which means "house of bread" or "house of flesh". Bethlehem was a significant place in Christian tradition, as it was the birthplace of Jesus Christ according to the New Testament.
Belen has been used as a given name in various forms and spellings across different languages and regions. In Spanish-speaking countries, it is a popular feminine name, often spelled as "Belén". The name has been in use since the Middle Ages, particularly in Spain and Latin American regions with strong Catholic influences.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Belen can be found in the 12th century, when a Spanish noblewoman named Belén de Castilla lived during the reign of King Alfonso VIII. In the 16th century, Belén de Cepeda was a Spanish mystic and writer who is venerated as a saint in the Catholic Church.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Belen. Belén Sarro (1790-1865) was a Spanish nun and founder of the Congregation of the Slaves of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Belén Fabra (1832-1912) was a Spanish educator and writer who advocated for women's education and rights.
In the 20th century, Belén Gopegui (born 1963) is a contemporary Spanish writer and philosopher, known for her novels and essays exploring social and political themes. Belén Rueda (born 1976) is a renowned Spanish actress who has appeared in numerous films and television series.
Belen is also a name that has found its way into popular culture and entertainment. For instance, Belén Rodríguez (born 1984) is an Argentine model and television personality who has gained fame in Italy.
Overall, the name Belen has a rich history and cultural significance, particularly in regions with strong Christian and Spanish influences. Its roots can be traced back to ancient times, and it has been borne by numerous notable individuals throughout the centuries, reflecting its enduring popularity and appeal.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Belen over time
The chart below shows babies named Belen registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1997 to 2021. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Belen, the clearest high point is 2014. The latest England and Wales figure is 4 births in 2021, compared with 4 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Belen by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Belen 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 | #4634 | 4 | 1 |
| 2010s | #4684 | 4 | 1 |
| 2000s | #4368 | 6 | 2 |
| 1990s | #3836 | 6 | 2 |
Related
Names similar to Belen
- Bethany 43,226
- Brooke 18,370
- Bella 14,112
- Bonnie 12,149
- Beatrice 11,306
- Bethan 7,968
- Beth 6,440
- Betsy 5,065
- Beatrix 4,317
- Billie 4,220
- Beau 3,231
- Bryony 3,167
FAQ
Belen: questions and answers
How popular is the name Belen in the UK right now?
In 2021, Belen was ranked #4634 for girls in England and Wales, with 4 births registered.
When was Belen most popular?
The peak year on record was 2014, with 4 babies registered as Belen in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Belen?
A Spanish feminine name derived from Bethlehem, a biblical place name.
How many people are called Belen in the UK?
A total of 20 babies have been registered as Belen across the 6 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.