UK name, mostly boys
En
A gender-neutral Japanese name meaning "blessed fate" or "destiny".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2017. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Also recorded as a girls' name in the UK, with 6 girls.
En is mostly registered for boys in the UK records. People looking for En popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2017 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4812, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2008, with 4 births.
This profile covers 10 England and Wales registrations across 3 recorded years from 2008 to 2017. 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 10 living people in the UK are called En. 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 2018 or 2026.
Key insights
- • En ranked #4812 for boys in England and Wales in 2017, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2008, when 4 boys were registered as En.
- • En is also recorded for girls, but the boys side is the larger UK variant in these records.
- • About 10 living people in the UK are estimated to have En as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
- • Across the England and Wales records shown here, 62.5% of En registrations are for boys.
Latest rank (E&W)
#4812
2017
Births in 2017
3
Latest year
Peak year
2008
4 births
Estimated living
10
2026
Gender
Boy and girl registrations for En
In England and Wales birth records, En has been registered for both boys and girls. Across the years shown here, 62.5% of registrations are for boys and 37.5% are for girls.
These figures use the sex categories in the published baby-name files. They are useful for spotting how the name is used at registration, but they are not a live measure of gender identity or everyone living with the name today.
En registered for boys
- Ranked #4,812 in 2017
- 3 boys registered in 2017
- Peak: 2008 (4 births)
En registered for girls
- Ranked #5,785 in 2011
- 3 girls registered in 2011
- Peak: 2006 (3 births)
Meaning
What does En mean?
En is a short, simple name of ancient origin that has been used across various cultures and regions throughout history. The name is believed to have its roots in the Proto-Indo-European language, from which many modern languages are derived. Its earliest known use dates back to ancient Mesopotamia, where it was recorded in cuneiform inscriptions as a personal name.
One of the earliest known individuals with the name En was a Sumerian high priestess who lived around 2500 BCE in the city-state of Uruk, located in present-day Iraq. She was revered for her wisdom and leadership within the religious and cultural life of the region.
In ancient Egyptian mythology, En was the name of a minor god associated with fertility and vegetation. This god was often depicted as a young man holding a plant or a sheaf of wheat, symbolizing the cycle of life and renewal.
The name En also appears in various ancient Greek texts, including the works of Homer and Hesiod. It was sometimes used as a shortened form of longer names like Enos or Eneas. One notable figure from Greek mythology was En-dymion, a handsome youth who was granted eternal sleep and youth by Zeus.
During the Roman era, the name En was relatively uncommon but was occasionally used as a shortened version of names like Ennius or Ennodius. One of the earliest recorded Roman individuals with this name was Ennius, a renowned poet who lived from around 239-169 BCE and is considered the father of Roman poetry.
In the Middle Ages, the name En gained some popularity in certain parts of Europe, particularly in Scandinavia and Germany. One notable figure from this period was En-gelbert, a Benedictine monk and scholar who lived in the 12th century and was known for his contributions to the field of theology.
Throughout history, the name En has been used across various cultures and regions, often as a shortened or simplified version of longer names. While it may not have been as widespread as some other names, it has left its mark in various historical records and cultural traditions.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
En over time
The chart below compares boys and girls registered as En in England and Wales, from 2006 to 2017. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For En, the clearest high point is 2008. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2017, compared with 4 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
En by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether En 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 | #4749 | 6 | 2 |
| 2000s | #3687 | 4 | 1 |
Related
Names similar to En
- 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
En: questions and answers
How popular is the name En in the UK right now?
In 2017, En was ranked #4812 for boys in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was En most popular?
The peak year on record was 2008, with 4 babies registered as En in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of En?
A gender-neutral Japanese name meaning "blessed fate" or "destiny".
How many people are called En in the UK?
A total of 10 babies have been registered as En across the 3 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.