NameCensus.

UK boy's name

Garv

A masculine name of Sanskrit origin meaning "pride" or "arrogance".

For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2017. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.

Garv is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Garv popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2017 in this profile. In that release it ranked #3996, with 4 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2008, with 5 births.

This profile covers 28 England and Wales registrations across 7 recorded years from 2005 to 2017. 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 80% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.

We estimate that about 28 living people in the UK are called Garv. 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 2018 or 2026.

Key insights

  • Garv ranked #3996 for boys in England and Wales in 2017, with 4 registrations.
  • The name peaked in 2008, when 5 boys were registered as Garv.
  • About 28 living people in the UK are estimated to have Garv as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.

Latest rank (E&W)

#3996

2017

Births in 2017

4

Latest year

Peak year

2008

5 births

Estimated living

28

2026

Meaning

What does Garv mean?

The name Garv is derived from the Sanskrit language, one of the oldest Indo-Aryan languages that originated in ancient India. It is believed to have originated around the 2nd millennium BCE. The name Garv is a Sanskrit word that means "pride" or "arrogance."

In Hindu mythology, Garv is often associated with the concept of pride or ego, which is considered both a positive and negative attribute. The ancient Hindu scriptures, such as the Bhagavad Gita, frequently mention the concept of Garv and its impact on one's spiritual journey.

One of the earliest recorded uses of the name Garv can be found in the Mahabharata, the epic Sanskrit poem that dates back to around the 8th century BCE. In the Mahabharata, there are references to characters with the name Garv, often symbolizing their pride or arrogance.

Throughout history, there have been several notable individuals who bore the name Garv. One of the most famous was Garv Ghatak, a renowned Indian philosopher and scholar who lived during the 9th century CE. Ghatak's writings on metaphysics and spirituality were widely influential during his time.

Another prominent figure was Garv Govinda, an Indian ruler who reigned over the Chahamana dynasty in the 12th century CE. Govinda was known for his military conquests and his patronage of the arts and literature.

In the realm of literature, Garv Vaman was a celebrated Sanskrit poet and playwright who lived in the 16th century CE. His works, such as the Kavitaratnakara, were highly regarded for their poetic brilliance and linguistic mastery.

Garv Simha, a Maratha warrior and military leader, played a significant role in the 17th century CE during the Maratha Empire's struggle against the Mughal Empire. He was renowned for his bravery and strategic skills on the battlefield.

More recently, Garv Desai was an influential Indian businessman and industrialist who lived from 1937 to 2009. He was the founder of the Garv Group, a conglomerate that specialized in textiles, chemicals, and engineering.

While the name Garv is of Indian origin, it has gained popularity in various cultures and regions around the world, particularly among those with ties to Indian heritage or an appreciation for its linguistic and cultural significance.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

Popularity

Garv over time

The chart below shows babies named Garv registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2005 to 2017. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.

For Garv, the clearest high point is 2008. The latest England and Wales figure is 4 births in 2017, compared with 5 at the peak.

Babies born per year

Garv
01345200520112017

Decades

Garv by decade

Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Garv 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 #4070 15 4
2000s #3250 13 3

Related

Names similar to Garv

FAQ

Garv: questions and answers

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

In 2017, Garv was ranked #3996 for boys in England and Wales, with 4 births registered.

When was Garv most popular?

The peak year on record was 2008, with 5 babies registered as Garv in England and Wales.

What is the meaning and origin of Garv?

A masculine name of Sanskrit origin meaning "pride" or "arrogance".

How many people are called Garv in the UK?

A total of 28 babies have been registered as Garv across the 7 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.