UK boy's name
Furkan
A masculine name of Arabic origin meaning "criterion" or "distinction".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2023. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Furkan is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Furkan popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2023 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4991, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 1999, with 11 births.
This profile covers 154 England and Wales registrations across 25 recorded years from 1997 to 2023. 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 153 living people in the UK are called Furkan. 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 2024 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Furkan ranked #4991 for boys in England and Wales in 2023, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 1999, when 11 boys were registered as Furkan.
- • About 153 living people in the UK are estimated to have Furkan as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#4991
2023
Births in 2023
3
Latest year
Peak year
1999
11 births
Estimated living
153
2026
Meaning
What does Furkan mean?
The name Furkan has its origins in the Arabic language and Islamic culture. It is derived from the Arabic word "furqan," which means "criterion" or "distinction." The word "furqan" is used in the Quran to refer to the divine revelation and guidance provided by Allah.
In the Quran, the term "furqan" is mentioned several times, including in Surat Al-Anfal (8:41) and Surat Al-Furqan (25:1). The latter surah, which is the 25th chapter of the Quran, is titled "Al-Furqan," emphasizing the importance of this concept in Islamic teachings.
The name Furkan gained popularity among Muslims as a way to express their devotion to the Quran and Islamic principles. It became a common name choice for boys, particularly in regions with significant Muslim populations.
One of the earliest recorded examples of the name Furkan can be found in historical accounts from the 7th century, during the early years of Islamic civilization. However, it is difficult to pinpoint the exact origin and first recorded use of the name due to the limited historical records from that time period.
Throughout history, several notable figures have borne the name Furkan. One example is Furkan Abdic (1939-2023), a Bosnian politician and military leader who played a significant role during the Bosnian War in the 1990s.
Another prominent individual with the name Furkan was Furkan Palalı (1973-2002), a Turkish journalist and writer who was known for his work on human rights and social issues. He was tragically killed in a car accident at a young age.
In the realm of sports, Furkan Aldemir (born 1991) is a Turkish professional basketball player who has represented Turkey in international competitions and played for various clubs in Europe and Turkey.
Furkan Doğan (born 1992) is a Turkish actor and model who has appeared in several popular television series and films in Turkey.
Furkan Korkmaz (born 1997) is a Turkish professional basketball player who currently plays for the Philadelphia 76ers in the NBA. He is considered one of the promising young talents in Turkish basketball.
These are just a few examples of individuals throughout history who have carried the name Furkan. While the name has its roots in Arabic and Islamic culture, it has been embraced by people from various backgrounds and regions, particularly in the Middle East and parts of Europe.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Furkan over time
The chart below shows babies named Furkan registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1997 to 2023. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Furkan, the clearest high point is 1999. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2023, compared with 11 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Furkan by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Furkan 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 | #4800 | 6 | 2 |
| 2010s | #3082 | 63 | 10 |
| 2000s | #2436 | 62 | 10 |
| 1990s | #1815 | 23 | 3 |
Related
Names similar to Furkan
- 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
Furkan: questions and answers
How popular is the name Furkan in the UK right now?
In 2023, Furkan was ranked #4991 for boys in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Furkan most popular?
The peak year on record was 1999, with 11 babies registered as Furkan in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Furkan?
A masculine name of Arabic origin meaning "criterion" or "distinction".
How many people are called Furkan in the UK?
A total of 154 babies have been registered as Furkan across the 25 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.