NameCensus.

UK boy's name

Dastan

A Persian name derived from the word "dastan" meaning story or tale.

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.

Dastan is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Dastan popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4270, with 4 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2011, with 12 births.

This profile covers 89 England and Wales registrations across 15 recorded years from 2005 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 33% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.

We estimate that about 88 living people in the UK are called Dastan. 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

  • Dastan ranked #4270 for boys in England and Wales in 2024, with 4 registrations.
  • The name peaked in 2011, when 12 boys were registered as Dastan.
  • About 88 living people in the UK are estimated to have Dastan as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.

Latest rank (E&W)

#4270

2024

Births in 2024

4

Latest year

Peak year

2011

12 births

Estimated living

88

2026

Meaning

What does Dastan mean?

The name Dastan originates from the Persian language and has its roots in the ancient Iranian culture. It is believed to be derived from the Old Persian word "dāstān," meaning "story" or "legend." This connection suggests that the name carries a sense of storytelling and narrative tradition.

The earliest recorded use of the name Dastan can be traced back to the 6th century CE, during the Sassanid Empire in ancient Persia. It was a common name among the nobility and aristocracy, often bestowed upon sons of prominent families. The name's association with stories and legends may have been seen as a symbolic representation of the child's potential to create a legacy of their own.

In the 11th century, the name Dastan appeared in the epic Persian poem "Shahnameh" by the renowned poet Ferdowsi. The poem, which recounts the history of Persian kings and heroes, features a character named Dastan, further solidifying the name's place in Persian literature and folklore.

One of the earliest known historical figures to bear the name Dastan was Dastan ibn Tazi (born circa 720 CE), a renowned Muslim scholar and jurist from Khurasan, a region in modern-day Iran and Afghanistan. His contributions to Islamic jurisprudence and legal studies earned him recognition throughout the Islamic world.

Another notable figure was Dastan Misri (born circa 1050 CE), an Egyptian poet and philosopher known for his introspective and mystical writings. His works explored themes of spiritual enlightenment and the human experience, reflecting the poetic undertones of his name.

In the 13th century, Dastan Terghan (born circa 1210 CE) was a prominent Mongol military leader and governor who served under Genghis Khan and his successors. His name stands as a testament to the name's reach beyond Persia and its adoption by other cultures influenced by Persian traditions.

During the 16th century, Dastan Mirza (born circa 1510 CE) was a Persian prince and military commander from the Safavid dynasty. He played a significant role in various military campaigns and is remembered for his bravery and strategic acumen on the battlefield.

Lastly, Dastan Khan (born circa 1650 CE) was a prominent Mughal nobleman and military commander who served under the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb in the 17th century. His name is etched in the annals of Mughal history for his military prowess and unwavering loyalty to the empire.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

Popularity

Dastan over time

The chart below shows babies named Dastan registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2005 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 Dastan, the clearest high point is 2011. The latest England and Wales figure is 4 births in 2024, compared with 12 at the peak.

Babies born per year

Dastan
036912200520142024

Decades

Dastan by decade

Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Dastan 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 #4170 12 3
2010s #2983 70 10
2000s #3617 7 2

Related

Names similar to Dastan

FAQ

Dastan: questions and answers

How popular is the name Dastan in the UK right now?

In 2024, Dastan was ranked #4270 for boys in England and Wales, with 4 births registered.

When was Dastan most popular?

The peak year on record was 2011, with 12 babies registered as Dastan in England and Wales.

What is the meaning and origin of Dastan?

A Persian name derived from the word "dastan" meaning story or tale.

How many people are called Dastan in the UK?

A total of 89 babies have been registered as Dastan across the 15 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.