UK name, mostly boys
Haru
A unisex Japanese name meaning "spring" or "born in spring".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2023. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Also recorded as a girls' name in the UK, with 7 girls.
Haru is mostly registered for boys in the UK records. People looking for Haru popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2023 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4991, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2016, with 5 births.
This profile covers 24 England and Wales registrations across 7 recorded years from 2005 to 2023. 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 60% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 24 living people in the UK are called Haru. 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 2024 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Haru ranked #4991 for boys in England and Wales in 2023, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2016, when 5 boys were registered as Haru.
- • Haru is also recorded for girls, but the boys side is the larger UK variant in these records.
- • About 24 living people in the UK are estimated to have Haru as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
- • Across the England and Wales records shown here, 77.4% of Haru registrations are for boys.
Latest rank (E&W)
#4991
2023
Births in 2023
3
Latest year
Peak year
2016
5 births
Estimated living
24
2026
Gender
Boy and girl registrations for Haru
In England and Wales birth records, Haru has been registered for both boys and girls. Across the years shown here, 77.4% of registrations are for boys and 22.6% are for girls.
These figures use the sex categories in the published baby-name files. They are useful for spotting how the name is used at registration, but they are not a live measure of gender identity or everyone living with the name today.
Haru registered for boys
- Ranked #4,991 in 2023
- 3 boys registered in 2023
- Peak: 2016 (5 births)
Haru registered for girls
- Ranked #5,687 in 2023
- 3 girls registered in 2023
- Peak: 2020 (4 births)
Meaning
What does Haru mean?
The given name Haru originates from the Japanese language. It has been a popular name in Japan for centuries and is believed to have first emerged during the Heian period (794-1185 CE). Haru is derived from the Japanese word "haru" which translates to "spring" in English. This reflects the cultural significance of the spring season in Japan, which is celebrated for its natural beauty and renewal of life.
While the name Haru does not appear to have any direct references in ancient Japanese texts or religious scriptures, it is likely that its connection to the spring season was influenced by the country's rich cultural traditions and appreciation for nature. The name's simplicity and natural connotations made it a fitting choice for children born during the spring months.
One of the earliest recorded examples of the name Haru comes from the 12th century, when a Japanese female poet named Haru no Akiko (c. 1159-1216) gained recognition for her contributions to the imperial court's poetry anthologies. Her name, which translates to "Spring's Radiance," reflects the poetic symbolism associated with the name.
Over the centuries, several notable individuals have borne the name Haru. One such person was Haru Sameshima (1898-1966), a Japanese actress and singer who became a prominent figure in the early years of Japanese cinema. Another notable Haru was Haru Reischauer (1904-1998), an Austrian-born American educator and author who helped promote cultural understanding between Japan and the United States.
In the literary realm, Haru Murakami (1923-1981) was a renowned Japanese novelist and playwright, known for his works exploring themes of human relationships and societal issues. The name Haru has also been shared by artists, such as Haru Ohshima (1905-1985), a Japanese sculptor and ceramist who gained international recognition for his avant-garde works.
More recently, Haru Nomura (born 1991) is a professional golfer from Japan who has achieved success on the LPGA Tour, winning multiple tournaments and representing her country in international competitions.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Haru over time
The chart below compares boys and girls registered as Haru in England and Wales, from 2005 to 2023. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Haru, the clearest high point is 2016. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2023, compared with 5 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Haru by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Haru 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 | #4991 | 3 | 1 |
| 2010s | #3977 | 12 | 3 |
| 2000s | #4143 | 9 | 3 |
Related
Names similar to Haru
- 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
Haru: questions and answers
How popular is the name Haru in the UK right now?
In 2023, Haru was ranked #4991 for boys in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Haru most popular?
The peak year on record was 2016, with 5 babies registered as Haru in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Haru?
A unisex Japanese name meaning "spring" or "born in spring".
How many people are called Haru in the UK?
A total of 24 babies have been registered as Haru 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.