NameCensus.

UK boy's name

Harun

A masculine name of Arabic origin meaning "exalted" or "high-born".

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.

Harun is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Harun popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #685, with 53 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2024, with 53 births.

This profile covers 803 England and Wales registrations across 29 recorded years from 1996 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.

Harun is at its recorded peak in the England and Wales series.

We estimate that about 798 living people in the UK are called Harun. 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

  • Harun ranked #685 for boys in England and Wales in 2024, with 53 registrations.
  • The name peaked in 2024, when 53 boys were registered as Harun.
  • About 798 living people in the UK are estimated to have Harun as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.

Latest rank (E&W)

#685

2024

Births in 2024

53

Latest year

Peak year

2024

53 births

Estimated living

798

2026

Meaning

What does Harun mean?

The name Harun has its origins in the Arabic language, derived from the root word "harr," which means "hot" or "ardent." The earliest known recorded use of this name dates back to the 7th century CE, during the Islamic Golden Age.

In Islamic tradition, Harun is considered a variant spelling of the name Aaron, which holds significant importance as it was the name of a prophet in the Abrahamic faiths. The biblical figure Aaron, the brother of Moses, is revered in Islam as a messenger of God and is mentioned numerous times in the Quran.

One of the earliest and most notable historical figures to bear this name was Harun al-Rashid, the fifth Abbasid Caliph who ruled from 786 to 809 CE. His reign is often regarded as the peak of the Islamic Golden Age, marked by scientific advancements, cultural prosperity, and the flourishing of the arts and literature.

Another prominent figure in history associated with this name was Harun al-Wathiq, an Abbasid Caliph who reigned from 842 to 847 CE. He is remembered for his patronage of scholars and his efforts to promote the translation of ancient Greek texts into Arabic.

In the realms of literature and poetry, Harun al-Rashid and his court are often featured in the iconic collection of Middle Eastern folk tales, "One Thousand and One Nights," also known as "The Arabian Nights." The character of Harun al-Rashid appears frequently, portraying him as a wise and just ruler.

Additionally, the name Harun has been borne by several scholars and intellectuals throughout Islamic history. One notable example is Harun al-Farabi, a renowned philosopher, logician, and scientist who lived from 872 to 950 CE and made significant contributions to the fields of metaphysics and logic.

Another influential figure was Harun al-Shatir, an Arab astronomer and mathematician who lived in the 14th century and is credited with developing advanced models for planetary motion and contributing to the understanding of celestial mechanics.

In more recent times, the name Harun gained popularity among Muslim communities worldwide, with many parents choosing to name their sons in honor of the historical and religious significance associated with this name.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

Popularity

Harun over time

The chart below shows babies named Harun registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1996 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 Harun, the clearest high point is 2024. The latest England and Wales figure is 53 births in 2024, compared with 53 at the peak.

Babies born per year

Harun
013274053199620102024

Decades

Harun by decade

Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Harun 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 #803 206 5
2010s #973 302 10
2000s #963 233 10
1990s #939 62 4

Notable bearers

Famous people named Harun

  • Harun Baldemir

    mathematician

    Ph.D. University of Exeter 2018

Related

Names similar to Harun

FAQ

Harun: questions and answers

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

In 2024, Harun was ranked #685 for boys in England and Wales, with 53 births registered.

When was Harun most popular?

The peak year on record was 2024, with 53 babies registered as Harun in England and Wales.

What is the meaning and origin of Harun?

A masculine name of Arabic origin meaning "exalted" or "high-born".

How many people are called Harun in the UK?

A total of 803 babies have been registered as Harun across the 29 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.