UK boy's name
Berkay
A name of Turkish origin meaning "abiding, enduring, and firm".
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.
Berkay is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Berkay popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #5119, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2001, with 12 births.
This profile covers 182 England and Wales registrations across 26 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 25% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 181 living people in the UK are called Berkay. 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
- • Berkay ranked #5119 for boys in England and Wales in 2024, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2001, when 12 boys were registered as Berkay.
- • About 181 living people in the UK are estimated to have Berkay as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#5119
2024
Births in 2024
3
Latest year
Peak year
2001
12 births
Estimated living
181
2026
Meaning
What does Berkay mean?
The name Berkay has its roots in the Turkish language and culture, originating in the late 20th century. It is a combination of two Turkish words: "ber," meaning fruitful or fertile, and "kay," meaning rock or cliff. The name is believed to have been coined in the 1970s or 1980s as a modern Turkish name, reflecting a desire for names with natural and meaningful connotations.
There are no known historical references or ancient texts that mention the name Berkay directly, as it is a relatively new name. However, its component words, "ber" and "kay," have been used in Turkish literature and poetry for centuries, often symbolizing strength, fertility, and resilience.
The earliest recorded examples of the name Berkay are from the late 20th century in Turkey. One of the first notable individuals with this name was Berkay Arlı, a Turkish footballer born in 1989, who played for several Turkish clubs, including Beşiktaş and Göztepe.
Another prominent figure named Berkay is Berkay Şahin, a Turkish singer and songwriter born in 1981. He has released several successful albums and is known for his soulful voice and emotional ballads.
In the world of Turkish literature, Berkay Yalçıner, born in 1987, is a celebrated author and poet. His works often explore themes of identity, love, and the human condition.
Berkay Demirel, born in 1984, is a Turkish entrepreneur and businessman who co-founded the successful e-commerce platform Trendyol.
Berkay Güven, born in 1995, is a rising star in the Turkish music industry, known for his unique blend of pop and rock influences.
These are just a few examples of notable individuals who have carried the name Berkay throughout its relatively short history. While a modern name, Berkay has already made its mark in various fields, reflecting the strength and fertility its components represent.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Berkay over time
The chart below shows babies named Berkay registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, 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 Berkay, the clearest high point is 2001. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2024, compared with 12 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Berkay by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Berkay 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 | #4214 | 17 | 4 |
| 2010s | #2739 | 76 | 10 |
| 2000s | #2164 | 71 | 9 |
| 1990s | #1835 | 18 | 3 |
Related
Names similar to Berkay
- 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
Berkay: questions and answers
How popular is the name Berkay in the UK right now?
In 2024, Berkay was ranked #5119 for boys in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Berkay most popular?
The peak year on record was 2001, with 12 babies registered as Berkay in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Berkay?
A name of Turkish origin meaning "abiding, enduring, and firm".
How many people are called Berkay in the UK?
A total of 182 babies have been registered as Berkay across the 26 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.