UK boy's name
Bijan
An Iranian masculine name of Persian origin meaning "a champion".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2011. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Bijan is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Bijan popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2011 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4647, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 1997, with 3 births.
This profile covers 9 England and Wales registrations across 3 recorded years from 1997 to 2011. 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 9 living people in the UK are called Bijan. 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 2012 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Bijan ranked #4647 for boys in England and Wales in 2011, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 1997, when 3 boys were registered as Bijan.
- • About 9 living people in the UK are estimated to have Bijan as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#4647
2011
Births in 2011
3
Latest year
Peak year
1997
3 births
Estimated living
9
2026
Meaning
What does Bijan mean?
The name Bijan has its origins in the Persian language and culture. It is derived from the ancient Iranian word "Vījan," which means "free from sorrow" or "one who is without sorrow." The name can be traced back to the 11th century, when it was mentioned in the epic Persian poem, Shahnameh, written by the renowned poet Ferdowsi.
Bijan was the name of a legendary hero in the Shahnameh, known for his bravery and valor. He was the son of Girav, a renowned warrior, and played a pivotal role in the story's events. The tale of Bijan and his love for the beautiful Princess Manizhe is considered one of the most romantic narratives in Persian literature.
Throughout history, the name Bijan has been associated with various notable figures. One of the earliest recorded instances was Bijan Ghazi, a Persian military commander who lived in the 11th century. He was known for his military campaigns against the Byzantine Empire and his contribution to the expansion of the Seljuk Empire.
In the 13th century, Bijan Nasavi was a renowned Persian poet and mystic. He was a contemporary of the famous poet Rumi and is celebrated for his spiritual poetry and devotional works.
During the 16th century, Bijan Khatun was a prominent female poet and calligrapher from the Safavid Empire. Her works were highly regarded, and she is considered one of the most influential women in Persian literary history.
In more recent times, Bijan Mofid (1933-2014) was an Iranian poet, writer, and literary critic. He was renowned for his contributions to contemporary Persian literature and his promotion of modern literary movements.
Another notable figure was Bijan Samimi (1941-2020), an Iranian actor and filmmaker who had a prolific career spanning over five decades. He was widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in the Iranian cinema industry.
These are just a few examples of the many notable individuals throughout history who have borne the name Bijan, reflecting its rich cultural heritage and significance within the Persian tradition.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Bijan over time
The chart below shows babies named Bijan registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1997 to 2011. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Bijan, the clearest high point is 1997. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2011, compared with 3 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Bijan by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Bijan 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 | #4647 | 3 | 1 |
| 2000s | #3134 | 3 | 1 |
| 1990s | #2859 | 3 | 1 |
Related
Names similar to Bijan
- 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
Bijan: questions and answers
How popular is the name Bijan in the UK right now?
In 2011, Bijan was ranked #4647 for boys in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Bijan most popular?
The peak year on record was 1997, with 3 babies registered as Bijan in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Bijan?
An Iranian masculine name of Persian origin meaning "a champion".
How many people are called Bijan in the UK?
A total of 9 babies have been registered as Bijan 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.