UK girl's name
Dilek
A feminine Turkish name meaning "wish" or "desire".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2022. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Dilek is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Dilek popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2022 in this profile. In that release it ranked #5669, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 1998, with 6 births.
This profile covers 41 England and Wales registrations across 11 recorded years from 1996 to 2022. 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 50% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 41 living people in the UK are called Dilek. 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 2023 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Dilek ranked #5669 for girls in England and Wales in 2022, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 1998, when 6 girls were registered as Dilek.
- • About 41 living people in the UK are estimated to have Dilek as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#5669
2022
Births in 2022
3
Latest year
Peak year
1998
6 births
Estimated living
41
2026
Meaning
What does Dilek mean?
The name Dilek originates from the Turkish language and culture. It is derived from the Turkish word "dilek," which means "wish" or "desire." The name has been in use in Turkey for centuries, with its roots possibly dating back to the Ottoman Empire era.
Dilek was a relatively common name among Turkish women, particularly in the medieval and early modern periods. It was often given to girls with the hope that their lives would be filled with fulfilled desires and granted wishes. The name's connotation of positivity and aspiration made it a popular choice.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Dilek can be found in the 16th-century Ottoman court records, where a woman named Dilek Hatun was mentioned as a witness in a legal case. This suggests that the name had already gained prominence by that time.
Throughout history, several notable women have borne the name Dilek. One example is Dilek Türker (born 1965), a Turkish actress and television personality known for her roles in popular TV series and films. Another is Dilek Sabancı (1957-2018), a prominent Turkish businesswoman and philanthropist who served as the chairperson of the Sabancı Holding company.
In the literary realm, Dilek Güngören (born 1940) is a renowned Turkish poet and writer who has published numerous collections of poetry and prose works. Her works often explore themes of love, identity, and social issues.
Outside of Turkey, the name Dilek has also been embraced by individuals of Turkish descent. For instance, Dilek Frýdá (born 1977) is a Czech-Turkish singer and songwriter who has gained recognition for her fusion of Turkish and Western music styles.
Another notable figure is Dilek Kuraner (born 1967), a Turkish-American mathematician and educator who has made significant contributions to the field of algebraic geometry. She has held teaching positions at various prestigious universities in the United States.
While the name Dilek has its roots in Turkish culture, it has transcended geographical boundaries and found a place in various communities around the world, carrying with it the essence of its original meaning – a wish or desire for a fulfilling life.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Dilek over time
The chart below shows babies named Dilek registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1996 to 2022. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Dilek, the clearest high point is 1998. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2022, compared with 6 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Dilek by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Dilek 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 | #5581 | 6 | 2 |
| 2010s | #5006 | 15 | 4 |
| 2000s | #3999 | 10 | 3 |
| 1990s | #2767 | 10 | 2 |
Related
Names similar to Dilek
- Daisy 49,435
- Danielle 13,507
- Darcie 11,010
- Darcy 10,516
- Darcey 9,708
- Delilah 9,098
- Demi 9,052
- Daniella 4,324
- Destiny 3,732
- Diana 3,258
- Dorothy 3,104
- Dolly 2,246
FAQ
Dilek: questions and answers
How popular is the name Dilek in the UK right now?
In 2022, Dilek was ranked #5669 for girls in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Dilek most popular?
The peak year on record was 1998, with 6 babies registered as Dilek in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Dilek?
A feminine Turkish name meaning "wish" or "desire".
How many people are called Dilek in the UK?
A total of 41 babies have been registered as Dilek across the 11 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.