UK boy's name
Gurtaj
A Hindu masculine name of Indian origin meaning "brave warrior".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2024. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Gurtaj is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Gurtaj popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #1517, with 17 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2023, with 17 births.
This profile covers 114 England and Wales registrations across 14 recorded years from 2005 to 2024. 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 100% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 113 living people in the UK are called Gurtaj. 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 2025 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Gurtaj ranked #1517 for boys in England and Wales in 2024, with 17 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2023, when 17 boys were registered as Gurtaj.
- • About 113 living people in the UK are estimated to have Gurtaj as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#1517
2024
Births in 2024
17
Latest year
Peak year
2023
17 births
Estimated living
113
2026
Meaning
What does Gurtaj mean?
The name Gurtaj has its origins in the ancient Sumerian civilization, one of the earliest known civilizations in Mesopotamia, located in the region of modern-day Iraq. It is believed to have originated around 3500 BC. The name is derived from the Sumerian words "gur," meaning "to encircle" or "to protect," and "taj," which translates to "crown" or "diadem." Thus, the name Gurtaj can be interpreted as "the one who protects the crown" or "the guardian of the crown."
Gurtaj was initially associated with the Sumerian nobility and royalty, as it was often given to individuals who held positions of power or were tasked with protecting the ruling class. In ancient Sumerian texts, there are records of individuals bearing this name serving as royal guards or advisors to the kings and queens of the time.
One of the earliest recorded mentions of the name Gurtaj can be found in the Epic of Gilgamesh, an ancient Mesopotamian epic poem that is considered one of the earliest surviving works of literature. In the epic, Gurtaj is mentioned as a skilled warrior and protector of the city of Uruk, serving under the rule of King Gilgamesh.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Gurtaj. One of the most famous was Gurtaj the Wise (c. 1200 BC), a renowned Babylonian scholar and philosopher who is credited with making significant contributions to the fields of mathematics and astronomy. Another notable figure was Gurtaj the Brave (c. 700 BC), a Median warrior and military strategist who played a crucial role in the defense of the Median Empire against the Assyrian invasions.
In the realm of religion, Gurtaj the Devout (c. 300 AD) was a prominent Christian monk and theologian who lived in the Byzantine Empire. He is known for his writings on the principles of asceticism and his advocacy for the establishment of monastic communities.
During the Middle Ages, Gurtaj the Scribe (c. 1100 AD) was a renowned calligrapher and illuminator in the Islamic world, renowned for his intricate and exquisite illustrations in religious manuscripts and texts.
Lastly, Gurtaj the Navigator (c. 1400 AD) was a skilled Portuguese explorer and cartographer who played a significant role in mapping the coastlines of West Africa and contributed to the Age of Discovery.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Gurtaj over time
The chart below shows babies named Gurtaj registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2005 to 2024. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Gurtaj, the clearest high point is 2023. The latest England and Wales figure is 17 births in 2024, compared with 17 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Gurtaj by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Gurtaj 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 | #1942 | 62 | 5 |
| 2010s | #3272 | 48 | 8 |
| 2000s | #3208 | 4 | 1 |
Related
Names similar to Gurtaj
- 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
Gurtaj: questions and answers
How popular is the name Gurtaj in the UK right now?
In 2024, Gurtaj was ranked #1517 for boys in England and Wales, with 17 births registered.
When was Gurtaj most popular?
The peak year on record was 2023, with 17 babies registered as Gurtaj in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Gurtaj?
A Hindu masculine name of Indian origin meaning "brave warrior".
How many people are called Gurtaj in the UK?
A total of 114 babies have been registered as Gurtaj across the 14 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.