NameCensus.

UK girl's name

Hibo

A feminine name of Somali origin meaning "gift" or "blessing".

For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2014. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.

Hibo is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Hibo popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2014 in this profile. In that release it ranked #5691, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 1997, with 7 births.

This profile covers 59 England and Wales registrations across 14 recorded years from 1996 to 2014. 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 43% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.

We estimate that about 59 living people in the UK are called Hibo. 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 2015 or 2026.

Key insights

  • Hibo ranked #5691 for girls in England and Wales in 2014, with 3 registrations.
  • The name peaked in 1997, when 7 girls were registered as Hibo.
  • About 59 living people in the UK are estimated to have Hibo as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.

Latest rank (E&W)

#5691

2014

Births in 2014

3

Latest year

Peak year

1997

7 births

Estimated living

59

2026

Meaning

What does Hibo mean?

The name Hibo is believed to have originated from the Somali language, which is a part of the Cushitic branch of the Afro-Asiatic language family. The name is thought to have been in use among the Somali people, who are predominantly located in the Horn of Africa region, including Somalia, Djibouti, and parts of Ethiopia and Kenya.

The name Hibo is derived from the Somali word "hibow," which means "to give." This suggests that the name may have been given to children with the intention of expressing a wish for them to be generous or philanthropic individuals.

While there are no definitive records of the name's appearance in ancient texts or religious scriptures, its linguistic roots in the Somali language indicate a long-standing history and cultural significance among the Somali people.

One of the earliest recorded examples of the name Hibo can be found in the works of Somali novelist and playwright Faarax Maxamed Nuur, who was born in 1924 and is considered a pioneer of Somali literature. His writings often featured characters with traditional Somali names, including Hibo.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Hibo. One such person was Hibo Wardere (1913-1997), a Somali warrior and anti-colonial resistance fighter who played a significant role in the struggle against Italian colonization in the early 20th century.

Another notable figure was Hibo Nuura (1957-2013), a Somali-British writer and activist who advocated for women's rights and social justice. Her work explored issues of identity, displacement, and the experiences of Somali diaspora communities.

Hibo Salad (born 1976) is a Somali-American model and activist who has worked to raise awareness about human rights issues, particularly in Somalia. She has been recognized for her efforts to empower women and promote education in her home country.

Hibo Elmi (born 1989) is a Somali-British actress and writer known for her roles in television shows such as "Our Girl" and "The Honorable Woman." She has been praised for her portrayal of complex and nuanced characters, often exploring themes of identity and cultural representation.

Hibo Abdullahi (born 1991) is a Somali-Canadian activist and social entrepreneur who co-founded the non-profit organization "Hot Sundae," which aims to empower and educate young women in Somalia through various initiatives, including literacy programs and entrepreneurship training.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

Popularity

Hibo over time

The chart below shows babies named Hibo registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1996 to 2014. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.

For Hibo, the clearest high point is 1997. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2014, compared with 7 at the peak.

Babies born per year

Hibo
02457199620052014

Decades

Hibo by decade

Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Hibo 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 #4782 17 4
2000s #4031 29 7
1990s #3265 13 3

Related

Names similar to Hibo

FAQ

Hibo: questions and answers

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

In 2014, Hibo was ranked #5691 for girls in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.

When was Hibo most popular?

The peak year on record was 1997, with 7 babies registered as Hibo in England and Wales.

What is the meaning and origin of Hibo?

A feminine name of Somali origin meaning "gift" or "blessing".

How many people are called Hibo in the UK?

A total of 59 babies have been registered as Hibo 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.