UK boy's name
Eban
An Arabic name meaning "intelligent" or "wise".
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.
Eban is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Eban popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #2921, with 7 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2010, with 14 births.
This profile covers 183 England and Wales registrations across 23 recorded years from 1999 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 50% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 182 living people in the UK are called Eban. 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
- • Eban ranked #2921 for boys in England and Wales in 2024, with 7 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2010, when 14 boys were registered as Eban.
- • About 182 living people in the UK are estimated to have Eban as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#2921
2024
Births in 2024
7
Latest year
Peak year
2010
14 births
Estimated living
182
2026
Meaning
What does Eban mean?
The name Eban has its origins in the Welsh language and culture, tracing back to the early medieval period. It is derived from the Welsh word "efan," which means "life" or "living." This suggests that the name was originally bestowed upon children as a symbolic representation of the gift of life and the hopes for a long and prosperous existence.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Eban can be found in the ancient Welsh literature, particularly in the celebrated collection of medieval Welsh prose known as the "Mabinogion." The name appears in various forms, such as "Efan" or "Evan," further reinforcing its Welsh roots.
Throughout history, the name Eban has been associated with several notable figures, both in Wales and beyond. One of the earliest recorded individuals bearing this name was Eban ap Cynan (c. 1080-1112), a Welsh prince and descendant of the royal house of Gwynedd. He played a significant role in the struggles for power and territory during the tumultuous period of the Norman invasion of Wales.
Another prominent figure was Eban Bowen (1699-1768), a Welsh clergyman and scholar who served as the Principal of Jesus College, Oxford. He was renowned for his contributions to the study of Welsh literature and language, as well as his efforts in promoting education in Wales.
In the realm of literature, the name Eban is associated with Eban Clennen (1807-1877), a Welsh poet and writer who gained recognition for his works in both Welsh and English. His poetry often celebrated the beauty of the Welsh landscape and reflected the cultural traditions of his homeland.
Moving beyond Wales, the name Eban also found its way into other cultures and contexts. In the 20th century, Eban Ephraim (1915-1998), an Israeli diplomat and politician, gained international prominence as the Foreign Minister of Israel from 1966 to 1974. He played a crucial role in shaping Israel's foreign policy during a turbulent period in the Middle East.
Another notable figure bearing the name Eban was Eban Alexander (born in 1953), an American neurosurgeon and author. He gained widespread recognition for his book "Proof of Heaven," in which he recounts his near-death experience and explores the intersection of science and spirituality.
While the name Eban has its roots in the Welsh language and culture, it has transcended geographical boundaries and has been embraced by individuals from diverse backgrounds throughout history. Its meaning, rooted in the concept of life and living, continues to resonate with people seeking a name that carries a powerful symbolic significance.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Eban over time
The chart below shows babies named Eban registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1999 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 Eban, the clearest high point is 2010. The latest England and Wales figure is 7 births in 2024, compared with 14 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Eban by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Eban 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 | #2345 | 46 | 5 |
| 2010s | #2500 | 89 | 10 |
| 2000s | #2595 | 45 | 7 |
| 1990s | #2943 | 3 | 1 |
Related
Names similar to Eban
- Ethan 77,394
- Edward 53,212
- Elliot 23,450
- Elijah 22,369
- Ellis 19,358
- Elliott 16,964
- Evan 14,535
- Ezra 11,838
- Ewan 10,685
- Eli 8,126
- Elias 7,049
- Eric 6,654
FAQ
Eban: questions and answers
How popular is the name Eban in the UK right now?
In 2024, Eban was ranked #2921 for boys in England and Wales, with 7 births registered.
When was Eban most popular?
The peak year on record was 2010, with 14 babies registered as Eban in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Eban?
An Arabic name meaning "intelligent" or "wise".
How many people are called Eban in the UK?
A total of 183 babies have been registered as Eban across the 23 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.