UK boy's name
Erkan
A masculine Turkish name meaning "one who reaches excellence and maturity".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2021. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Erkan is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Erkan popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2021 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4789, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2003, with 6 births.
This profile covers 36 England and Wales registrations across 10 recorded years from 1996 to 2021. 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 36 living people in the UK are called Erkan. 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 2022 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Erkan ranked #4789 for boys in England and Wales in 2021, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2003, when 6 boys were registered as Erkan.
- • About 36 living people in the UK are estimated to have Erkan as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#4789
2021
Births in 2021
3
Latest year
Peak year
2003
6 births
Estimated living
36
2026
Meaning
What does Erkan mean?
The given name Erkan has its origins in the Turkish language and culture. It is a combination of two Turkish words, "er" meaning "man" or "warrior," and "kan" meaning "blood" or "life force." Thus, the name Erkan can be interpreted as "a man of blood" or "a man of life force," signifying strength, courage, and vitality.
Historically, the name Erkan was likely used by the Turkish people as early as the 7th century, during the height of the Ottoman Empire. It was a popular choice among the ruling classes and military elite, reflecting the warrior spirit and bravery associated with the name's meaning.
While there are no definitive records of the name appearing in ancient texts or religious scriptures, it is believed to have been in use for centuries among the nomadic Turkic tribes that roamed the steppes of Central Asia before settling in what is now modern-day Turkey.
One of the earliest recorded examples of the name Erkan can be found in the annals of the Ottoman Empire, where it was borne by Erkan Pasha, a prominent military commander who lived in the late 16th century. Another notable figure was Erkan Bey, a renowned poet and scholar who flourished during the reign of Sultan Mehmed II in the 15th century.
Throughout history, the name Erkan has been carried by several notable individuals, including:
1. Erkan Mumcu (1949-1993), a Turkish journalist and author known for his investigative work and his outspoken criticism of corruption and human rights abuses. He was assassinated in 1993.
2. Erkan Petekkaya (born 1970), a Turkish actor and model who has appeared in numerous films and television series, both in Turkey and internationally.
3. Erkan Inanç (born 1982), a Turkish professional basketball player who has played for several teams in the Turkish Basketball Super League and the EuroLeague.
4. Erkan Oğur (born 1979), a Turkish filmmaker and screenwriter, known for his critically acclaimed movies such as "Laz Riots" and "Kalbin Ademesi" (Heartbeat).
5. Erkan Mustafa (born 1981), a British professional boxer of Turkish descent, who has held multiple titles in the super-middleweight division.
These individuals, spanning various professions and time periods, have carried on the legacy of the name Erkan, each contributing to their respective fields and embodying the strength and spirit associated with its meaning.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Erkan over time
The chart below shows babies named Erkan registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1996 to 2021. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Erkan, the clearest high point is 2003. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2021, compared with 6 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Erkan by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Erkan 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 | #4789 | 3 | 1 |
| 2010s | #4714 | 6 | 2 |
| 2000s | #3335 | 24 | 6 |
| 1990s | #2863 | 3 | 1 |
Related
Names similar to Erkan
- 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
Erkan: questions and answers
How popular is the name Erkan in the UK right now?
In 2021, Erkan was ranked #4789 for boys in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Erkan most popular?
The peak year on record was 2003, with 6 babies registered as Erkan in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Erkan?
A masculine Turkish name meaning "one who reaches excellence and maturity".
How many people are called Erkan in the UK?
A total of 36 babies have been registered as Erkan across the 10 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.