UK boy's name
Harpal
A Hindu name meaning "nurturing lion" or "brave protector".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2004. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Harpal is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Harpal popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2004 in this profile. In that release it ranked #3009, with 4 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 1998, with 5 births.
This profile covers 21 England and Wales registrations across 5 recorded years from 1998 to 2004. 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 21 living people in the UK are called Harpal. 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 2005 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Harpal ranked #3009 for boys in England and Wales in 2004, with 4 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 1998, when 5 boys were registered as Harpal.
- • About 21 living people in the UK are estimated to have Harpal as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#3009
2004
Births in 2004
4
Latest year
Peak year
1998
5 births
Estimated living
21
2026
Meaning
What does Harpal mean?
Harpal is a masculine given name of Indian origin, derived from the Sanskrit words "har" meaning "lord" and "pal" meaning "protector" or "nurturer." The name is commonly found among the Sikh and Hindu communities of the Indian subcontinent.
The earliest known references to the name Harpal can be traced back to ancient Hindu texts and scriptures, such as the Vedas and the Puranas, which are considered among the most sacred texts in Hinduism. These texts often mention characters or deities with names that incorporate the elements "har" or "pal," reflecting the reverence for divine protection and nurturing.
One of the earliest recorded historical figures bearing the name Harpal was Harpal, a general and companion of Alexander the Great. He was appointed as the satrap (governor) of the region of Punjab and the Indus Valley in 325 BCE, after Alexander's conquest of the region. Harpal's rule was short-lived, as he rebelled against the Macedonian authority and was eventually defeated and killed.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Harpal. One such figure was Harpal Singh Tundilat (1892-1982), a prominent Sikh political leader and freedom fighter from Punjab, who actively participated in India's struggle for independence from British rule.
Another famous Harpal was Harpal Singh Bedi (1902-1983), an Indian field hockey player who represented the British Indian team at the 1928 and 1932 Summer Olympics. He was part of the team that won the gold medal in 1928 and the silver medal in 1932.
In more recent times, Harpal Singh Brar (born 1939) is a retired Indian Army officer who served as the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) from 1990 to 1992. He played a significant role in the Indian military's operations during the Sri Lankan Civil War.
Harpal Tiwana (born 1957) is a Canadian businessman and philanthropist of Indian descent. He is the founder and CEO of the Tiwana Group of Companies and has been actively involved in various charitable initiatives, particularly in the field of education.
While the name Harpal has its roots in ancient Indian traditions and scriptures, it has transcended cultural boundaries and gained recognition across various societies and regions, reflecting the diverse cultural heritage and historical significance associated with this name.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Harpal over time
The chart below shows babies named Harpal registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1998 to 2004. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Harpal, the clearest high point is 1998. The latest England and Wales figure is 4 births in 2004, compared with 5 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Harpal by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Harpal 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | #2894 | 11 | 3 |
| 1990s | #2086 | 10 | 2 |
Related
Names similar to Harpal
- Harry 141,693
- Henry 65,177
- Harrison 45,958
- Harvey 35,648
- Harley 22,095
- Hugo 18,779
- Hayden 12,622
- Hunter 10,350
- Hudson 9,104
- Hamza 8,564
- Hassan 5,982
- Hasan 3,599
FAQ
Harpal: questions and answers
How popular is the name Harpal in the UK right now?
In 2004, Harpal was ranked #3009 for boys in England and Wales, with 4 births registered.
When was Harpal most popular?
The peak year on record was 1998, with 5 babies registered as Harpal in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Harpal?
A Hindu name meaning "nurturing lion" or "brave protector".
How many people are called Harpal in the UK?
A total of 21 babies have been registered as Harpal across the 5 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.