UK name, mostly girls
Hayat
An Arabic feminine name meaning "life" or "existence".
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.
Hayat is mostly registered for girls in the UK records. People looking for Hayat popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #1198, with 28 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2023, with 43 births.
This profile covers 406 England and Wales registrations across 25 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.
The latest count is about 65% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 404 living people in the UK are called Hayat. 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
- • Hayat ranked #1198 for girls in England and Wales in 2024, with 28 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2023, when 43 girls were registered as Hayat.
- • About 404 living people in the UK are estimated to have Hayat as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
- • Across the England and Wales records shown here, 97.6% of Hayat registrations are for girls.
Latest rank (E&W)
#1198
2024
Births in 2024
28
Latest year
Peak year
2023
43 births
Estimated living
404
2026
Gender
Boy and girl registrations for Hayat
In England and Wales birth records, Hayat has been registered for both boys and girls. Across the years shown here, 2.4% of registrations are for boys and 97.6% 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.
Hayat registered for boys
- Ranked #4,810 in 2016
- 3 boys registered in 2016
- Peak: 2004 (4 births)
Hayat registered for girls
- Ranked #1,198 in 2024
- 28 girls registered in 2024
- Peak: 2023 (43 births)
Meaning
What does Hayat mean?
The name Hayat is of Arabic origin, derived from the word "hayat," which means "life" in Arabic. This name has been in use since ancient times, reflecting the importance of life and vitality in Arabic culture and Islamic tradition.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Hayat can be found in the Quran, the holy book of Islam. In the Quran, the word "hayat" is used to refer to the concept of life and its significance in the spiritual realm.
Throughout history, the name Hayat has been borne by several notable figures. One prominent example is Hayat ibn Khalil al-Tabari, a renowned Persian physician and philosopher who lived in the 9th century. He made significant contributions to the field of medicine and wrote extensively on various subjects, including philosophy and astronomy.
Another historical figure with the name Hayat was Hayat al-Nufus, a 13th-century Persian mystic and poet. Her poetry was deeply influenced by Sufism, and she is considered one of the most prominent female figures in the literary tradition of Iran.
In the 16th century, Hayat Bakhsh Khan was a prominent military commander and governor during the reign of the Mughal Emperor Akbar. He played a crucial role in the expansion and consolidation of the Mughal Empire in India.
Moving forward in time, Hayat Muhammad Khan Sherpao was a prominent Pakistani politician and statesman who served as the Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province from 1997 to 1999. He was also the Governor of the North-West Frontier Province (now Khyber Pakhtunkhwa) from 2008 to 2013.
More recently, Hayat Sindi is a Saudi Arabian scientist and philanthropist known for her groundbreaking work in biotechnology and her efforts to promote science education, particularly among women in the Middle East. She has received numerous awards and honors for her contributions to science and education.
The name Hayat has transcended its Arabic roots and has been adopted by various cultures around the world, reflecting the universal appeal of the concept of life and vitality. Its rich history and cultural significance make it a name that continues to be cherished by many.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Hayat over time
The chart below compares boys and girls registered as Hayat in England and Wales, 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 Hayat, the clearest high point is 2023. The latest England and Wales figure is 28 births in 2024, compared with 43 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Hayat by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Hayat 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 | #1089 | 159 | 5 |
| 2010s | #1818 | 173 | 10 |
| 2000s | #2627 | 62 | 7 |
| 1990s | #3175 | 12 | 3 |
Notable bearers
Famous people named Hayat
-
Hayat Kamille
actor; film producer
Iraqi and British actress
Related
Names similar to Hayat
- Hannah 67,635
- Holly 52,307
- Harriet 24,781
- Hollie 17,902
- Harper 15,784
- Heidi 12,675
- Hallie 9,873
- Hope 9,414
- Hayley 5,968
- Hazel 5,954
- Hanna 5,735
- Heather 5,497
FAQ
Hayat: questions and answers
How popular is the name Hayat in the UK right now?
In 2024, Hayat was ranked #1198 for girls in England and Wales, with 28 births registered.
When was Hayat most popular?
The peak year on record was 2023, with 43 babies registered as Hayat in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Hayat?
An Arabic feminine name meaning "life" or "existence".
How many people are called Hayat in the UK?
A total of 406 babies have been registered as Hayat across the 25 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.