NameCensus.

UK girl's name

Filsan

A feminine Arabic name meaning "baby gazelle".

For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2008. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.

Filsan is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Filsan popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2008 in this profile. In that release it ranked #3397, with 6 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2002, with 10 births.

This profile covers 39 England and Wales registrations across 8 recorded years from 1999 to 2008. 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 60% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.

We estimate that about 39 living people in the UK are called Filsan. 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 2009 or 2026.

Key insights

  • Filsan ranked #3397 for girls in England and Wales in 2008, with 6 registrations.
  • The name peaked in 2002, when 10 girls were registered as Filsan.
  • About 39 living people in the UK are estimated to have Filsan as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.

Latest rank (E&W)

#3397

2008

Births in 2008

6

Latest year

Peak year

2002

10 births

Estimated living

39

2026

Meaning

What does Filsan mean?

The name Filsan has its origins in the Somali language, spoken primarily in the Horn of Africa region. The name is derived from the Arabic root word "falah," which means prosperity or success. It's believed that the name gained popularity in the region during the spread of Islam in the 7th century AD.

One of the earliest known references to the name Filsan can be found in the 13th-century Somali genealogical texts, which mention several individuals bearing this name. These texts provide insights into the cultural and historical significance of the name within Somali society.

Historically, the name Filsan was often given to individuals with the hope that they would lead a prosperous and successful life. It was also associated with virtues such as determination, resilience, and perseverance.

Throughout the centuries, the name Filsan has been borne by several notable figures. One of the earliest recorded individuals with this name was Filsan Abdulle, a prominent Somali warrior and leader who lived in the 16th century. He was renowned for his bravery and strategic military campaigns.

Another notable figure was Filsan Guled, a celebrated Somali poet and scholar who lived in the late 18th century. Her poetic works were widely admired for their depth and eloquence, and she played a significant role in preserving Somali oral traditions.

In the 19th century, Filsan Abdullahi was a respected Somali religious leader and scholar. He was known for his knowledge of Islamic jurisprudence and his efforts to promote education and literacy within the Somali community.

Filsan Ali was a prominent Somali businesswoman and philanthropist who lived in the early 20th century. She was recognized for her business acumen and her contributions to various charitable causes, particularly those aimed at empowering women and supporting education.

Filsan Osman, born in the mid-20th century, was a Somali politician and activist. She was a vocal advocate for women's rights and played a pivotal role in promoting gender equality and women's empowerment in Somalia.

The name Filsan continues to be popular among Somali communities worldwide, carrying with it a rich cultural heritage and the aspirations of prosperity, success, and resilience.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

Popularity

Filsan over time

The chart below shows babies named Filsan registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1999 to 2008. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.

For Filsan, the clearest high point is 2002. The latest England and Wales figure is 6 births in 2008, compared with 10 at the peak.

Babies born per year

Filsan
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Decades

Filsan by decade

Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Filsan 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
2000s #3640 36 7
1990s #3900 3 1

Related

Names similar to Filsan

FAQ

Filsan: questions and answers

How popular is the name Filsan in the UK right now?

In 2008, Filsan was ranked #3397 for girls in England and Wales, with 6 births registered.

When was Filsan most popular?

The peak year on record was 2002, with 10 babies registered as Filsan in England and Wales.

What is the meaning and origin of Filsan?

A feminine Arabic name meaning "baby gazelle".

How many people are called Filsan in the UK?

A total of 39 babies have been registered as Filsan across the 8 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.