UK boy's name
Can
A Turkish masculine name meaning "life" or "soul.".
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.
Can is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Can popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #3688, with 5 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 1998, with 27 births.
This profile covers 277 England and Wales registrations across 27 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 19% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 275 living people in the UK are called Can. 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
- • Can ranked #3688 for boys in England and Wales in 2024, with 5 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 1998, when 27 boys were registered as Can.
- • About 275 living people in the UK are estimated to have Can as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#3688
2024
Births in 2024
5
Latest year
Peak year
1998
27 births
Estimated living
275
2026
Meaning
What does Can mean?
The name Can is a masculine given name with its origins rooted in the Turkish and Persian languages. It is derived from the ancient Persian word "Khan," which means "king" or "sovereign." The name's earliest recorded use dates back to the 6th century, during the reign of the Sasanian Empire in ancient Persia.
In Turkish, the name Can is often associated with concepts of life, vitality, and the soul. It is believed to have been influenced by the Persian word "Jan," which means "life" or "soul." This connection has contributed to the name's popularity and significance in Turkish culture.
One of the earliest and most notable historical figures bearing the name Can was Can Demir, a renowned Turkish warrior who lived in the 13th century. He played a crucial role in the expansion of the Seljuk Empire and was celebrated for his bravery and military prowess.
Another influential figure was Can Yücel, a prominent Turkish poet and writer born in 1926. He made significant contributions to Turkish literature and was known for his powerful and thought-provoking works that explored themes of social justice and human rights.
In the realm of sports, Can Bartu, a Turkish basketball player born in 1988, gained recognition for his exceptional skills and achievements on the court. He represented the Turkish national team and played for several professional clubs throughout his career.
Moving to the world of film and television, Can Evrenol is a Turkish film director and screenwriter born in 1975. He is best known for his critically acclaimed horror films that blend elements of Turkish folklore and cultural traditions with contemporary storytelling techniques.
Lastly, Can Öncü, born in 2003, is a rising star in the world of motorsports. At a young age, he has already made a name for himself as a talented Turkish motorcycle racer, competing in various international competitions and showcasing his skills on the track.
These are just a few examples of notable individuals who have carried the name Can throughout history, each leaving their mark in their respective fields and contributing to the cultural significance and legacy of this name.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Can over time
The chart below shows babies named Can 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 Can, the clearest high point is 1998. The latest England and Wales figure is 5 births in 2024, compared with 27 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Can by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Can 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 | #3334 | 26 | 4 |
| 2010s | #3023 | 57 | 9 |
| 2000s | #1812 | 115 | 10 |
| 1990s | #816 | 79 | 4 |
Related
Names similar to Can
- Charlie 104,761
- Callum 65,796
- Connor 53,072
- Cameron 40,394
- Charles 33,091
- Christopher 26,849
- Caleb 15,553
- Corey 12,622
- Carter 11,505
- Cody 11,075
- Conor 10,298
- Christian 9,695
FAQ
Can: questions and answers
How popular is the name Can in the UK right now?
In 2024, Can was ranked #3688 for boys in England and Wales, with 5 births registered.
When was Can most popular?
The peak year on record was 1998, with 27 babies registered as Can in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Can?
A Turkish masculine name meaning "life" or "soul.".
How many people are called Can in the UK?
A total of 277 babies have been registered as Can across the 27 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.