NameCensus.

UK girl's name

Hodan

A Somali feminine name meaning "gift" or "precious".

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.

Hodan is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Hodan popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4192, with 5 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2002, with 11 births.

This profile covers 179 England and Wales registrations across 26 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 45% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.

We estimate that about 178 living people in the UK are called Hodan. 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

  • Hodan ranked #4192 for girls in England and Wales in 2024, with 5 registrations.
  • The name peaked in 2002, when 11 girls were registered as Hodan.
  • About 178 living people in the UK are estimated to have Hodan as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.

Latest rank (E&W)

#4192

2024

Births in 2024

5

Latest year

Peak year

2002

11 births

Estimated living

178

2026

Meaning

What does Hodan mean?

The name Hodan is of Somali origin and is believed to have derived from the Arabic word "Huda" which means "guidance" or "right path". It is a popular name among the Somali people and is often associated with Islamic culture.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Hodan can be found in the ancient Somali literature, particularly in the poems and stories that were passed down through oral tradition. These literary works often featured characters with names that reflected the virtues and values of the Somali culture.

In the 13th century, a renowned Somali scholar and poet named Hodan Liiban al-Ishaaq gained fame for her contributions to the development of the Somali language and literature. She is considered one of the most influential figures in the preservation of Somali cultural heritage.

Another notable historical figure with the name Hodan was Hodan Abdi Ismail, a Somali princess who lived in the 19th century. She was known for her beauty, intelligence, and leadership skills, and played a significant role in the political affairs of her time.

In the 20th century, Hodan Mahmoud Farah, a Somali writer and activist, gained recognition for her work in promoting women's rights and advocating for education in Somalia. She was born in 1930 and was a prominent figure in the country's literary and social circles.

Another well-known Hodan was Hodan Nalayeh, a Somali-Canadian journalist and television personality who was tragically killed in a terrorist attack in Somalia in 2019. She was born in 1976 and was known for her efforts in highlighting the positive stories and narratives about Somalia and its people.

Throughout history, the name Hodan has been associated with strength, guidance, and cultural pride among the Somali people. It continues to be a popular choice for parents seeking to honor their heritage and instill positive values in their children.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

Popularity

Hodan over time

The chart below shows babies named Hodan 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 Hodan, the clearest high point is 2002. The latest England and Wales figure is 5 births in 2024, compared with 11 at the peak.

Babies born per year

Hodan
036811199620102024

Decades

Hodan by decade

Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Hodan 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 #4224 19 4
2010s #3722 56 9
2000s #2511 72 9
1990s #1988 32 4

Related

Names similar to Hodan

FAQ

Hodan: questions and answers

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

In 2024, Hodan was ranked #4192 for girls in England and Wales, with 5 births registered.

When was Hodan most popular?

The peak year on record was 2002, with 11 babies registered as Hodan in England and Wales.

What is the meaning and origin of Hodan?

A Somali feminine name meaning "gift" or "precious".

How many people are called Hodan in the UK?

A total of 179 babies have been registered as Hodan across the 26 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.