NameCensus.

UK boy's name

Believe

A given name derived from the verb "believe," implying trust or faith.

For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2016. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.

Believe is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Believe popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2016 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4810, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2009, with 3 births.

This profile covers 6 England and Wales registrations across 2 recorded years from 2009 to 2016. 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 6 living people in the UK are called Believe. 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 2017 or 2026.

Key insights

  • Believe ranked #4810 for boys in England and Wales in 2016, with 3 registrations.
  • The name peaked in 2009, when 3 boys were registered as Believe.
  • About 6 living people in the UK are estimated to have Believe as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.

Latest rank (E&W)

#4810

2016

Births in 2016

3

Latest year

Peak year

2009

3 births

Estimated living

6

2026

Meaning

What does Believe mean?

The name Believe is not a traditional given name found in historical records or ancient texts. It is an English word derived from the verb "to believe," which comes from the Old English word "belyfan," meaning "to have faith or confidence in." The Old English word itself is a compound of the words "be" and "lyfan" (to allow or favor).

While Believe is not a name rooted in a specific culture or language, it has been used as an unconventional given name in more recent times, likely due to its symbolic meaning of faith, trust, or conviction. The earliest recorded instances of Believe as a first name are relatively modern, dating back to the late 20th century.

One notable person named Believe is Believe Jaramillo, an American singer-songwriter and musician born in 1981. She is known for her work in the indie rock and folk genres and has released several albums, including "Transcendence" in 2014.

Another person with the name Believe is Believe Jones, an American actress and model born in 1992. She has appeared in several television shows and films, including the TV series "The Haves and the Have Nots" and the movie "The Birth of a Nation" in 2016.

Believe Woodside is an American fashion designer and entrepreneur born in 1985. She is the founder of the clothing line "Believe Apparel," which promotes body positivity and self-love through its designs.

Believe Wyatt is an American artist and painter born in 1978. Her work often explores themes of spirituality, nature, and personal transformation, reflecting her unique name and its meaning.

Believe Dixon is an American activist and community organizer born in 1971. She has been involved in various social justice movements, advocating for issues such as racial equality, youth empowerment, and environmental protection.

While Believe is not a traditional name with a long historical lineage, its modern usage reflects a desire to imbue a child with the qualities of faith, belief, and determination. The name serves as a symbolic representation of these values, making it a unique and meaningful choice for parents in recent times.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

Popularity

Believe over time

The chart below shows babies named Believe registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2009 to 2016. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.

For Believe, the clearest high point is 2009. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2016, compared with 3 at the peak.

Babies born per year

Believe
01223200920122016

Decades

Believe by decade

Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Believe 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 #4810 3 1
2000s #4527 3 1

Related

Names similar to Believe

FAQ

Believe: questions and answers

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

In 2016, Believe was ranked #4810 for boys in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.

When was Believe most popular?

The peak year on record was 2009, with 3 babies registered as Believe in England and Wales.

What is the meaning and origin of Believe?

A given name derived from the verb "believe," implying trust or faith.

How many people are called Believe in the UK?

A total of 6 babies have been registered as Believe across the 2 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.