UK boy's name
Danesh
A masculine name of Persian origin meaning "knowledge" or "wisdom".
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.
Danesh is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Danesh 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 1997, with 4 births.
This profile covers 33 England and Wales registrations across 9 recorded years from 1997 to 2012. 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 75% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 33 living people in the UK are called Danesh. 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
- • Danesh ranked #4805 for boys in England and Wales in 2012, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 1997, when 4 boys were registered as Danesh.
- • About 33 living people in the UK are estimated to have Danesh 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
1997
4 births
Estimated living
33
2026
Meaning
What does Danesh mean?
The name Danesh has its roots in the Persian language, originating from the word "danesh," which means "knowledge" or "wisdom." This name's origin can be traced back to the ancient Persian civilization, which flourished in the region now known as modern-day Iran, spanning from around the 6th century BCE to the 7th century CE.
The name Danesh has been prevalent in Persian literature and historical records for centuries. It was particularly popular among scholars, philosophers, and intellectuals who valued knowledge and wisdom. In the 10th century, a famous Persian polymath, Abu Rayhan al-Biruni, who was born in 973 CE, was also known as Danesh-nama, which translates to "the book of knowledge."
One of the earliest recorded individuals with the name Danesh was Danesh Vajeh, a Persian poet and literary figure who lived in the 11th century. He was renowned for his contributions to Persian poetry and literature. Another notable figure was Danesh Ali Siraj, a Persian scholar and Sufi mystic who lived in the 14th century and wrote extensively on Sufism and spirituality.
In the 16th century, Danesh Masih, a Persian scholar and linguist, gained recognition for his work on the Persian language and his translations of various texts. Additionally, Danesh Ardeshir, a Persian nobleman and military commander, played a significant role in the Safavid dynasty during the same period.
During the 19th century, Danesh Irani, an influential Persian writer and journalist, made significant contributions to the Persian literary scene. He was a prominent figure in the Iranian intellectual community and played a crucial role in the spread of modern ideas and reforms.
Throughout history, the name Danesh has been associated with knowledge, wisdom, and intellectual pursuits, reflecting the cultural significance of these values in Persian society. While its usage may have fluctuated over time, the name has remained a cherished part of the Persian heritage, serving as a reminder of the importance placed on learning and scholarly achievements.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Danesh over time
The chart below shows babies named Danesh registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1997 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 Danesh, the clearest high point is 1997. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2012, compared with 4 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Danesh by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Danesh 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 | #3332 | 22 | 6 |
| 1990s | #2381 | 8 | 2 |
Related
Names similar to Danesh
- Daniel 120,900
- Dylan 60,836
- David 37,852
- Dominic 20,480
- Declan 11,657
- Dexter 11,627
- Danny 8,434
- Dean 5,329
- Dillon 4,113
- Douglas 3,773
- Dominik 3,494
- Damian 3,486
FAQ
Danesh: questions and answers
How popular is the name Danesh in the UK right now?
In 2012, Danesh was ranked #4805 for boys in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Danesh most popular?
The peak year on record was 1997, with 4 babies registered as Danesh in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Danesh?
A masculine name of Persian origin meaning "knowledge" or "wisdom".
How many people are called Danesh in the UK?
A total of 33 babies have been registered as Danesh across the 9 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.