NameCensus.

UK boy's name

Hamse

An old spelling variation of the Arabic name Hamza, meaning "strong" or "lion-like".

For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2010. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.

Hamse is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Hamse popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2010 in this profile. In that release it ranked #3332, with 5 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 1996, with 8 births.

This profile covers 73 England and Wales registrations across 14 recorded years from 1996 to 2010. 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 63% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.

We estimate that about 72 living people in the UK are called Hamse. 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 2011 or 2026.

Key insights

  • Hamse ranked #3332 for boys in England and Wales in 2010, with 5 registrations.
  • The name peaked in 1996, when 8 boys were registered as Hamse.
  • About 72 living people in the UK are estimated to have Hamse as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.

Latest rank (E&W)

#3332

2010

Births in 2010

5

Latest year

Peak year

1996

8 births

Estimated living

72

2026

Meaning

What does Hamse mean?

The name Hamse is believed to have originated from the Arabic language, with its roots tracing back to the Middle East region during the medieval period. The name is thought to be a variation or derivative of the Arabic name Hamsah, which itself is derived from the word "hamsa," referring to the widely recognized symbol and talisman depicting a hand.

In Islamic culture and history, the hamsa symbol is considered a protective sign, often used to ward off evil or negative energies. The name Hamse, therefore, may have been bestowed upon individuals as a way to invoke blessings and protection upon them. Alternatively, some sources suggest that the name could be linked to the Arabic term "hams," which means "five," potentially referencing the five fingers of the hand depicted in the hamsa symbol.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Hamse can be found in the writings of the renowned 10th-century Persian poet and scholar, Ferdowsi. In his epic masterpiece, the Shahnameh, Ferdowsi mentions a character named Hamse, though little is known about the significance of this particular individual.

Throughout history, there have been several notable individuals who bore the name Hamse. One such figure was Hamse al-Baghdadi, a 13th-century Islamic scholar and mathematician from Baghdad. He is known for his contributions to the field of algebra and his work on solving complex equations.

Another historical figure with the name Hamse was Hamse ibn Rashid al-Zubairi, a 15th-century Arab historian and writer from Yemen. He authored several books on the history and culture of his region, providing valuable insights into the customs and traditions of that era.

In the 17th century, Hamse Haj Ali was a prominent Ottoman architect and engineer, responsible for the construction of several significant buildings and mosques in Istanbul, including the Yeni Mosque and the Kara Ahmed Pasha Mosque.

Moving forward in time, Hamse Bey was a 19th-century Ottoman statesman and diplomat who served as the Governor of Tripoli (present-day Libya) and played a crucial role in the region's political affairs during his tenure.

Lastly, Hamse Adnan was a 20th-century Syrian painter and artist, renowned for his vibrant and expressive depictions of Middle Eastern landscapes and daily life. His works have been exhibited in numerous galleries and museums across the Arab world.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

Popularity

Hamse over time

The chart below shows babies named Hamse registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1996 to 2010. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.

For Hamse, the clearest high point is 1996. The latest England and Wales figure is 5 births in 2010, compared with 8 at the peak.

Babies born per year

Hamse
02468199620032010

Decades

Hamse by decade

Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Hamse 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 #3332 5 1
2000s #2783 47 9
1990s #2120 21 4

Related

Names similar to Hamse

FAQ

Hamse: questions and answers

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

In 2010, Hamse was ranked #3332 for boys in England and Wales, with 5 births registered.

When was Hamse most popular?

The peak year on record was 1996, with 8 babies registered as Hamse in England and Wales.

What is the meaning and origin of Hamse?

An old spelling variation of the Arabic name Hamza, meaning "strong" or "lion-like".

How many people are called Hamse in the UK?

A total of 73 babies have been registered as Hamse 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.