UK name, mostly girls
Ilhaan
A feminine Arabic name meaning "supreme being", "deity", or "God".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2022. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Ilhaan is mostly registered for girls in the UK records. People looking for Ilhaan popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2022 in this profile. In that release it ranked #5669, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2013, with 6 births.
This profile covers 36 England and Wales registrations across 9 recorded years from 2001 to 2022. 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 50% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 36 living people in the UK are called Ilhaan. 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 2023 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Ilhaan ranked #5669 for girls in England and Wales in 2022, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2013, when 6 girls were registered as Ilhaan.
- • About 36 living people in the UK are estimated to have Ilhaan as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
- • Across the England and Wales records shown here, 92.3% of Ilhaan registrations are for girls.
Latest rank (E&W)
#5669
2022
Births in 2022
3
Latest year
Peak year
2013
6 births
Estimated living
36
2026
Gender
Boy and girl registrations for Ilhaan
In England and Wales birth records, Ilhaan has been registered for both boys and girls. Across the years shown here, 7.7% of registrations are for boys and 92.3% 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.
Ilhaan registered for boys
- Ranked #5,119 in 2024
- 3 boys registered in 2024
- Peak: 2024 (3 births)
Ilhaan registered for girls
- Ranked #5,669 in 2022
- 3 girls registered in 2022
- Peak: 2013 (6 births)
Meaning
What does Ilhaan mean?
The name Ilhaan has its origins in the Somali language, spoken primarily in the Horn of Africa region. It is derived from the Arabic word "ilhaan," which means "revelation" or "inspiration." The name's linguistic roots can be traced back to the 7th century CE, when Arabic spread across North Africa and the Middle East.
Ilhaan was a relatively uncommon name in ancient times, but it gained prominence during the Islamic Golden Age, particularly among scholars and poets. One of the earliest recorded individuals with this name was Ilhaan al-Qadiri, a 12th-century Sufi mystic and scholar from Persia, known for his influential writings on spirituality and self-discovery.
In the 13th century, Ilhaan ibn Ibrahim al-Baghdadi, an Iraqi mathematician and astronomer, made significant contributions to the field of trigonometry. His work, "Al-Zij al-Mu'tadil al-Shamil fi al-Hay'ah," or "The Comprehensive Treatise on Astronomy," was widely studied and referenced by scholars in the Islamic world.
Moving forward to the 15th century, Ilhaan al-Shushtari was a renowned Persian poet and calligrapher whose works were celebrated for their intricate and beautiful calligraphic styles. His mastery of the art form earned him widespread recognition and patronage from influential figures of the time.
In the 19th century, Ilhaan Mohammed Ali, a Somali religious leader and poet, gained prominence for his influential works that combined Islamic teachings with traditional Somali poetry and storytelling. His works played a significant role in preserving and promoting Somali cultural heritage.
Another notable figure was Ilhaan Ahmed Nur, a 20th-century Somali politician and diplomat who served as the Prime Minister of Somalia from 1964 to 1967. He was instrumental in shaping the country's foreign policy and strengthening its international relations during a crucial period in its history.
These are just a few examples of individuals who carried the name Ilhaan throughout history, each making significant contributions in their respective fields and leaving a lasting impact on their respective cultures and societies.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Ilhaan over time
The chart below compares boys and girls registered as Ilhaan in England and Wales, from 2001 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 Ilhaan, the clearest high point is 2013. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2022, compared with 6 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Ilhaan by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Ilhaan 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 | #5669 | 3 | 1 |
| 2010s | #4622 | 9 | 2 |
| 2000s | #4258 | 24 | 6 |
Related
Names similar to Ilhaan
- Isabella 58,822
- Isla 51,854
- Isabelle 46,163
- Imogen 33,758
- Ivy 23,306
- Isabel 20,895
- Isobel 19,706
- Iris 10,353
- India 8,371
- Iqra 4,452
- Indie 3,873
- Iona 3,682
FAQ
Ilhaan: questions and answers
How popular is the name Ilhaan in the UK right now?
In 2022, Ilhaan was ranked #5669 for girls in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Ilhaan most popular?
The peak year on record was 2013, with 6 babies registered as Ilhaan in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Ilhaan?
A feminine Arabic name meaning "supreme being", "deity", or "God".
How many people are called Ilhaan in the UK?
A total of 36 babies have been registered as Ilhaan across the 9 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.