UK boy's name
Himanshu
Masculine name of Sanskrit origin meaning "the sun".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2009. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Himanshu is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Himanshu popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2009 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4527, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2005, with 3 births.
This profile covers 12 England and Wales registrations across 4 recorded years from 2005 to 2009. 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 100% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 12 living people in the UK are called Himanshu. 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 2010 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Himanshu ranked #4527 for boys in England and Wales in 2009, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2005, when 3 boys were registered as Himanshu.
- • About 12 living people in the UK are estimated to have Himanshu as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#4527
2009
Births in 2009
3
Latest year
Peak year
2005
3 births
Estimated living
12
2026
Meaning
What does Himanshu mean?
The name Himanshu is of Sanskrit origin, tracing its roots to the ancient Indian language and culture. It is a compound word formed by combining the Sanskrit terms "him," meaning cold or snow, and "anshu," meaning ray or beam. Thus, the name Himanshu can be interpreted to mean "a ray of cold" or "a beam of snow."
In ancient Hindu texts and scriptures, the name Himanshu is often associated with the majestic Himalayas, the towering mountain range revered for its snow-capped peaks and glaciers. It is believed that the name was initially bestowed upon individuals born in the Himalayan region or those who possessed a calm and serene demeanor, akin to the tranquility of the mountains.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Himanshu dates back to the 6th century CE, when it appeared in the Puranas, a collection of ancient Hindu scriptures. These texts mention Himanshu as the name of a sage or rishi, renowned for his wisdom and spiritual attainments.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Himanshu. One such figure was Himanshu Ranjan Chakravarti (1870-1944), an Indian philosopher and Sanskrit scholar who made significant contributions to the study of Vedanta, a branch of Hindu philosophy.
Another prominent bearer of the name was Himanshu Rai (1892-1940), an Indian film director, producer, and actor who is widely regarded as the pioneer of Indian cinema. His film "Alam Ara" (1931) was the first Indian talkie, marking a pivotal moment in the history of Indian cinema.
In the realm of literature, Himanshu Joshi (1925-2006) was a renowned Gujarati poet, playwright, and critic. His works explored themes of social justice, human relationships, and the complexities of modern life, earning him numerous accolades and literary awards.
The world of sports has also witnessed the achievements of individuals named Himanshu. Himanshu Rana (born 1989) is an Indian cricketer who has represented India in various international tournaments, including the Under-19 World Cup.
Lastly, Himanshu Suri (born 1970) is a notable Indian musician and composer who has contributed to several Bollywood films and albums. His compositions have garnered critical acclaim and have been recognized with various awards and honors.
These are just a few examples of the many individuals who have carried the name Himanshu throughout history, each leaving an indelible mark in their respective fields and contributing to the rich tapestry of human endeavor.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Himanshu over time
The chart below shows babies named Himanshu registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2005 to 2009. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Himanshu, the clearest high point is 2005. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2009, compared with 3 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Himanshu by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Himanshu 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 | #4285 | 12 | 4 |
Related
Names similar to Himanshu
- 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
Himanshu: questions and answers
How popular is the name Himanshu in the UK right now?
In 2009, Himanshu was ranked #4527 for boys in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Himanshu most popular?
The peak year on record was 2005, with 3 babies registered as Himanshu in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Himanshu?
Masculine name of Sanskrit origin meaning "the sun".
How many people are called Himanshu in the UK?
A total of 12 babies have been registered as Himanshu across the 4 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.