UK boy's name
Faysal
An Arabic masculine name meaning "the one who distinguishes truth from falsehood".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2020. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Faysal is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Faysal popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2020 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4608, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2005, with 11 births.
This profile covers 120 England and Wales registrations across 21 recorded years from 1996 to 2020. 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 27% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 119 living people in the UK are called Faysal. 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 2021 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Faysal ranked #4608 for boys in England and Wales in 2020, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2005, when 11 boys were registered as Faysal.
- • About 119 living people in the UK are estimated to have Faysal as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#4608
2020
Births in 2020
3
Latest year
Peak year
2005
11 births
Estimated living
119
2026
Meaning
What does Faysal mean?
The name Faysal has its origins in the Arabic language and culture, tracing back to the 7th century CE. It is derived from the Arabic root word "fa-sa-la," which means to separate or distinguish. The name is believed to have been initially used to refer to someone who stands out or is distinguished from others.
In Arabic, the name Faysal is spelled as فيصل, and it has been a popular name among Arab families for centuries. The earliest recorded use of the name can be found in ancient Arabic texts and historical documents from the medieval period.
One of the most notable historical figures to bear the name Faysal was Faysal I, the former King of Syria and later the King of Iraq. He was born in 1885 and died in 1933. Faysal I played a pivotal role in the Arab Revolt against the Ottoman Empire during World War I and was instrumental in the establishment of modern-day Syria and Iraq.
Another famous Faysal in history was Faysal II, the last King of Iraq, who reigned from 1939 until his untimely death in 1958 at the age of 23. He was overthrown and executed during the 14 July Revolution in Iraq.
In the field of literature, Faysal Khartash was a renowned Syrian poet who lived from 1923 to 1986. His works explored themes of love, nationalism, and the human condition, earning him widespread recognition in the Arab world.
Faysal al-Qassem, born in 1957, is a prominent Syrian journalist and TV host known for his outspoken views on political and social issues in the Middle East. He has hosted several popular talk shows and has been recognized for his contributions to journalism.
Faysal El-Khalil, born in 1965, is a Palestinian-American businessman and entrepreneur. He co-founded and served as the CEO of Compass, a real estate technology company, which achieved a multi-billion dollar valuation.
While these are just a few examples, the name Faysal has been borne by many notable individuals throughout history, reflecting its deep roots in Arabic culture and its significance as a name that denotes distinction and standing out from the crowd.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Faysal over time
The chart below shows babies named Faysal registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1996 to 2020. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Faysal, the clearest high point is 2005. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2020, compared with 11 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Faysal by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Faysal 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 | #4608 | 3 | 1 |
| 2010s | #4343 | 21 | 6 |
| 2000s | #2281 | 76 | 10 |
| 1990s | #2155 | 20 | 4 |
Related
Names similar to Faysal
- Freddie 46,945
- Finley 42,410
- Frederick 19,866
- Finlay 17,879
- Frankie 17,528
- Finn 14,413
- Felix 14,361
- Fraser 6,470
- Flynn 6,170
- Frank 5,992
- Filip 5,876
- Francis 5,744
FAQ
Faysal: questions and answers
How popular is the name Faysal in the UK right now?
In 2020, Faysal was ranked #4608 for boys in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Faysal most popular?
The peak year on record was 2005, with 11 babies registered as Faysal in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Faysal?
An Arabic masculine name meaning "the one who distinguishes truth from falsehood".
How many people are called Faysal in the UK?
A total of 120 babies have been registered as Faysal across the 21 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.