UK boy's name
Chang
A masculine name of Chinese origin meaning "prosperous" or "free".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2012. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Chang is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Chang popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2012 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4805, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2002, with 3 births.
This profile covers 6 England and Wales registrations across 2 recorded years from 2002 to 2012. The figures come from ONS England and Wales and NRS Scotland, 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 Chang. 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 2013 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Chang ranked #4805 for boys in England and Wales in 2012, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2002, when 3 boys were registered as Chang.
- • Chang ranks best in Scotland in the latest published regional snapshot for that area, where it placed #638 in 2010.
- • About 9 living people in the UK are estimated to have Chang as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#4805
2012
Births in 2012
3
Latest year
Peak year
2002
3 births
Estimated living
9
2026
Meaning
What does Chang mean?
Chang is a given name that originated from Chinese languages and cultures. It is derived from the Chinese word 常, which means "constant" or "evergreen." The name has been in use for centuries, with its earliest recorded examples dating back to ancient China.
In Chinese philosophy and literature, the concept of "chang" is often associated with the idea of permanence, stability, and a constant state of being. The name Chang may have been given to children with the hope that they would possess these qualities or embody the virtues of constancy and steadfastness.
One of the earliest notable figures with the name Chang was Chang Qu, a Chinese philosopher and strategist who lived during the 4th century BCE. He is known for his contributions to the development of the philosophical concept of "Tao" and his writings on military strategy.
Another historically significant individual with the name Chang was Chang Tsai, a Chinese philosopher and scholar who lived during the 11th century CE. He was a prominent figure in the Neo-Confucian movement and is known for his influential work, "The Western Inscription," which explored concepts of metaphysics and ethics.
In the realm of literature, Chang Sheng, a Chinese poet and calligrapher from the 8th century CE, is celebrated for his contributions to the Tang Dynasty's Golden Age of poetry. His works are renowned for their elegant style and profound insights into human nature.
Moving forward in history, Chang Kai-shek, a military leader and politician, played a pivotal role in shaping modern Chinese history. Born in 1887, he was the leader of the Nationalist government in China from 1928 to 1949, and his reign was marked by significant events, including the Chinese Civil War and World War II.
Another notable figure with the name Chang is Chang Tsong-zung, a Taiwanese politician and academic who served as the President of the Republic of China (Taiwan) from 2000 to 2008. Born in 1939, he played a crucial role in Taiwan's democratic transition and its pursuit of international recognition.
These are just a few examples of individuals throughout history who have carried the name Chang, a name that has its roots in ancient Chinese culture and philosophy, and has been associated with virtues of constancy, stability, and permanence.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Chang over time
The chart below shows babies named Chang registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2002 to 2012. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Chang, the clearest high point is 2002. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2012, compared with 3 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Chang by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Chang 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 | #4805 | 3 | 1 |
| 2000s | #3225 | 3 | 1 |
Geography
Where Chang is most common
The bars show the latest published local birth counts for Chang. They are useful for spotting where the name is showing up in real numbers, while the rank beside each bar shows how strongly it performs inside that region.
Chang ranks best in Scotland in the latest published regional snapshot for that area, where it placed #638 in 2010.
Across the UK
Chang in Scotland and Northern Ireland
Scotland (NRS)
#638 in 2010
1 years of NRS records, 3 total registered
Related
Names similar to Chang
- 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
Chang: questions and answers
How popular is the name Chang in the UK right now?
In 2012, Chang was ranked #4805 for boys in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Chang most popular?
The peak year on record was 2002, with 3 babies registered as Chang in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Chang?
A masculine name of Chinese origin meaning "prosperous" or "free".
How many people are called Chang in the UK?
A total of 6 babies have been registered as Chang across the 2 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here, plus 3 more in Scotland.
Where is Chang most common?
In the latest published local rankings, Chang ranks best in Scotland, where it placed #638 in 2010. The regional bars on this page use birth counts, so they also reflect the size of each region.
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.