UK boy's name
Boniface
A masculine name derived from Latin meaning "well-doer" or "good deeds".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2005. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Boniface is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Boniface popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2005 in this profile. In that release it ranked #3849, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2003, with 3 births.
This profile covers 6 England and Wales registrations across 2 recorded years from 2003 to 2005. 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 Boniface. 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 2006 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Boniface ranked #3849 for boys in England and Wales in 2005, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2003, when 3 boys were registered as Boniface.
- • About 6 living people in the UK are estimated to have Boniface as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#3849
2005
Births in 2005
3
Latest year
Peak year
2003
3 births
Estimated living
6
2026
Meaning
What does Boniface mean?
The given name Boniface has its origins in Latin, derived from the words "bonus" meaning "good" and "fatus" meaning "fate" or "destiny". The name essentially translates to "good fortune" or "good luck". It emerged during the era of ancient Rome and was initially used within the Latin-speaking territories of the Roman Empire.
Boniface was a relatively common name among early Christians, as it carried positive connotations and was often bestowed upon individuals with the hope of a blessed life. In the 7th century, the name gained particular prominence with Saint Boniface, an English monk and missionary who played a pivotal role in the Christianization of Germanic parts of the Frankish Empire.
One of the earliest recorded individuals with the name Boniface was Pope Boniface I, who served as the Bishop of Rome from 418 to 422 AD. He is remembered for his efforts to maintain the authority of the Roman see and his opposition to the teachings of Pelagius, a British monk whose doctrines were deemed heretical.
In the 8th century, the aforementioned Saint Boniface, born Wynfrith in Wessex, England, became a renowned figure in the Christian world. He was an influential missionary who established numerous monasteries and churches in what is now Germany, earning him the title "Apostle of the Germans". He was martyred in 754 AD during a missionary journey.
During the Middle Ages, the name Boniface was particularly popular within the Catholic Church. One notable figure was Boniface VIII, who was Pope from 1294 to 1303. His papacy was marked by conflicts with secular rulers, including King Philip IV of France, and his assertion of papal supremacy over temporal authorities.
In the realm of literature, the name Boniface is associated with the character Boniface de la Cueva in Miguel de Cervantes' famous novel "Don Quixote". De la Cueva was a wealthy and influential nobleman who played a role in the adventures of the titular character.
Another historical figure bearing the name Boniface was Boniface of Savoy, who lived from 1207 to 1270. He was a prominent military leader and served as the Count of Savoy from 1253 until his death. His legacy includes the expansion of Savoy's territories and the establishment of a stronger centralized authority within the region.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Boniface over time
The chart below shows babies named Boniface registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2003 to 2005. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Boniface, the clearest high point is 2003. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2005, compared with 3 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Boniface by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Boniface 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | #3658 | 6 | 2 |
Related
Names similar to Boniface
- 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
Boniface: questions and answers
How popular is the name Boniface in the UK right now?
In 2005, Boniface was ranked #3849 for boys in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Boniface most popular?
The peak year on record was 2003, with 3 babies registered as Boniface in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Boniface?
A masculine name derived from Latin meaning "well-doer" or "good deeds".
How many people are called Boniface in the UK?
A total of 6 babies have been registered as Boniface 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.