UK boy's name
Galin
A Slavic name meaning "oak" or "oak tree".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2019. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Galin is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Galin popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2019 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4702, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2017, with 4 births.
This profile covers 7 England and Wales registrations across 2 recorded years from 2017 to 2019. 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 7 living people in the UK are called Galin. 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 2020 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Galin ranked #4702 for boys in England and Wales in 2019, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2017, when 4 boys were registered as Galin.
- • About 7 living people in the UK are estimated to have Galin as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#4702
2019
Births in 2019
3
Latest year
Peak year
2017
4 births
Estimated living
7
2026
Meaning
What does Galin mean?
The name Galin has its origins in the Slavic languages, particularly in Bulgarian and Russian. It is derived from the Slavic word "gal," which means "jackdaw" or a small crow-like bird.
In Bulgarian culture, the name Galin has been used since the Middle Ages, and it is believed to have been inspired by the bird's intelligence and adaptability. The earliest recorded use of the name dates back to the 14th century, appearing in historical records and documents from that era.
One of the most notable historical figures who bore the name Galin was Galin Goryshche, a 16th-century Bulgarian revolutionary and leader of a peasant uprising against Ottoman rule. He was born in the late 15th century and played a significant role in the resistance movement against the Ottoman Empire.
Another prominent individual with the name Galin was Galin Ivanov, a Bulgarian poet and writer who lived in the 19th century (1830-1901). He is known for his contributions to Bulgarian literature and his patriotic works that celebrated the country's struggle for independence.
In Russian culture, the name Galin is also present, though less common than in Bulgarian tradition. One notable Russian bearer of the name was Galin Gorsky, a renowned ballet dancer and choreographer who lived from 1904 to 1989. He was a prominent figure in the world of Russian ballet and made significant contributions to the art form.
Galin Ivanov, a Bulgarian actor and theater director born in 1936, is another notable figure who carried this name. He was a prominent figure in the Bulgarian theater scene and directed numerous acclaimed productions throughout his career.
While the name Galin has its roots in Slavic cultures, it has also gained popularity in other parts of the world, particularly among those with Slavic heritage or connections. However, its usage and prevalence remain most significant in Bulgaria and the broader Balkan region.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Galin over time
The chart below shows babies named Galin registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2017 to 2019. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Galin, the clearest high point is 2017. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2019, compared with 4 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Galin by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Galin 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 | #4349 | 7 | 2 |
Related
Names similar to Galin
- George 121,258
- Gabriel 20,581
- Grayson 7,636
- Gregory 2,925
- Guy 2,646
- Gareth 2,092
- Gethin 1,880
- Georgie 1,872
- Gary 1,575
- Gavin 1,422
- Giovanni 1,252
- Grant 1,199
FAQ
Galin: questions and answers
How popular is the name Galin in the UK right now?
In 2019, Galin was ranked #4702 for boys in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Galin most popular?
The peak year on record was 2017, with 4 babies registered as Galin in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Galin?
A Slavic name meaning "oak" or "oak tree".
How many people are called Galin in the UK?
A total of 7 babies have been registered as Galin across the 2 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.