NameCensus.

UK name, mostly girls

Inayat

A feminine name of Arabic origin meaning "grace" or "blessing".

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.

Also recorded as a boys' name in the UK, with 60 boys.

Inayat is mostly registered for girls in the UK records. People looking for Inayat popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #918, with 39 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2024, with 39 births.

This profile covers 112 England and Wales registrations across 10 recorded years from 2008 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.

Inayat is at its recorded peak in the England and Wales series.

We estimate that about 112 living people in the UK are called Inayat. 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

  • Inayat ranked #918 for girls in England and Wales in 2024, with 39 registrations.
  • The name peaked in 2024, when 39 girls were registered as Inayat.
  • Inayat is also recorded for boys, but the girls side is the larger UK variant in these records.
  • About 112 living people in the UK are estimated to have Inayat as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
  • Across the England and Wales records shown here, 65.1% of Inayat registrations are for girls.

Latest rank (E&W)

#918

2024

Births in 2024

39

Latest year

Peak year

2024

39 births

Estimated living

112

2026

Gender

Boy and girl registrations for Inayat

In England and Wales birth records, Inayat has been registered for both boys and girls. Across the years shown here, 34.9% of registrations are for boys and 65.1% 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.

35% boys
65% girls
Boys60 (34.9%)Girls112 (65.1%)

Inayat registered for boys

  • Ranked #4,023 in 2016
  • 4 boys registered in 2016
  • Peak: 2007 (10 births)

Inayat registered for girls

  • Ranked #918 in 2024
  • 39 girls registered in 2024
  • Peak: 2024 (39 births)

Meaning

What does Inayat mean?

The name Inayat has its origins in the Arabic language and is derived from the root word "inayah," which means "care," "attention," or "favor." It is believed to have emerged during the early Islamic era, around the 7th century CE.

In Arabic culture, the name Inayat carries a positive connotation, signifying divine care, guidance, and blessing. It reflects the idea of being under the protection and watchful eye of the divine, receiving favor and guidance in one's life journey.

The name Inayat can be found in various historical texts and religious scriptures within the Islamic tradition. One notable example is the Qur'an, where the root word "inayah" is used to describe God's care and protection for His creation.

Throughout history, there have been several notable individuals who bore the name Inayat. One of the earliest recorded examples is Inayat Khan (1882-1927), a Indian-born Sufi mystic and musician who played a significant role in introducing Sufism to the West. He established the Sufi Order in the West and is remembered for his teachings on spiritual harmony and universal love.

Another prominent figure with the name Inayat was Inayat Hussain Bhatti (1923-2010), a Pakistani politician and diplomat who served as the country's Foreign Minister from 1977 to 1982. He played a crucial role in shaping Pakistan's foreign policy during a turbulent period in the region's history.

In the realm of literature, Inayat Khan (1924-2003) was a prominent Pakistani writer and poet. He is remembered for his contributions to Urdu literature and his poetic works that explored themes of love, spirituality, and the human condition.

Moving to the field of music, Inayat Hussain Khan (1892-1938) was a renowned Indian classical vocalist and a prominent figure in the Khyal genre of Hindustani classical music. He was part of the Jaipur-Atrauli gharana and is considered one of the greatest vocalists of the 20th century.

Lastly, Inayat Ullah Khan (1933-2014) was a Pakistani cricketer who played Test cricket for the national team in the 1950s and 1960s. He was known for his aggressive batting style and his contributions to Pakistan's early cricketing success on the international stage.

These are just a few examples of notable individuals throughout history who bore the name Inayat, showcasing its rich cultural heritage and the diverse fields in which it has been present.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

Popularity

Inayat over time

The chart below compares boys and girls registered as Inayat in England and Wales, from 1997 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 Inayat, the clearest high point is 2024. The latest England and Wales figure is 39 births in 2024, compared with 39 at the peak.

Babies born per year

BoysGirls
010202939199720102024

Decades

Inayat by decade

Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Inayat 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 #1926 92 5
2010s #4430 14 3
2000s #5551 6 2

Related

Names similar to Inayat

FAQ

Inayat: questions and answers

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

In 2024, Inayat was ranked #918 for girls in England and Wales, with 39 births registered.

When was Inayat most popular?

The peak year on record was 2024, with 39 babies registered as Inayat in England and Wales.

What is the meaning and origin of Inayat?

A feminine name of Arabic origin meaning "grace" or "blessing".

How many people are called Inayat in the UK?

A total of 112 babies have been registered as Inayat across the 10 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.