UK boy's name
Ishan
A masculine Sanskrit name meaning "lord" or "ruler".
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.
Ishan is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Ishan popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #1675, with 15 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2010, with 38 births.
This profile covers 565 England and Wales registrations across 29 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 39% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 561 living people in the UK are called Ishan. 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
- • Ishan ranked #1675 for boys in England and Wales in 2024, with 15 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2010, when 38 boys were registered as Ishan.
- • About 561 living people in the UK are estimated to have Ishan as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#1675
2024
Births in 2024
15
Latest year
Peak year
2010
38 births
Estimated living
561
2026
Meaning
What does Ishan mean?
The given name Ishan has its roots in the Sanskrit language, originating from the Indian subcontinent. The name is derived from the Sanskrit word "Isha," which means "lord" or "master." It is believed to have been in use since ancient times, with references dating back to the Vedic period.
In Hindu mythology, Ishan is one of the names associated with Lord Shiva, the supreme deity and the destroyer of evil. The name is closely linked to spiritual and philosophical concepts, representing the idea of divine power and transcendence.
One of the earliest recorded mentions of the name Ishan can be found in the Upanishads, a collection of philosophical texts that form part of the Hindu scriptures. The Isha Upanishad, in particular, is named after Ishan and is considered one of the principal Upanishads.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Ishan. One of the most famous was Ishan Nath, a 9th-century Indian philosopher and mystic who was a prominent figure in the Nath tradition of Hinduism. He is believed to have lived between 800 and 900 CE and is revered for his spiritual teachings and contributions to the practice of Yoga.
Another significant figure was Ishan Khan, a 16th-century Mughal general and governor who served under the emperors Akbar and Jahangir. He played a crucial role in the Mughal conquest of the Deccan region and was renowned for his military prowess. Ishan Khan lived from approximately 1550 to 1628.
In more recent times, Ishan Khosla (born 1942) is a prominent Indian economist and policymaker who served as the Chairman of the Thirteenth Finance Commission of India from 2007 to 2009. He played a significant role in shaping the financial policies of the country.
Ishan Bahar (born 1969) is a renowned Indian classical musician and vocalist, known for his exceptional skill in the Khyal and Thumri genres of Hindustani music. He has received numerous awards and accolades for his contributions to the field of Indian classical music.
Ishan Kishan (born 1998) is an Indian cricketer who plays for the Indian national team and represents Jharkhand in domestic cricket. He is a wicket-keeper batsman and has been hailed as a rising talent in the sport.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Ishan over time
The chart below shows babies named Ishan 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 Ishan, the clearest high point is 2010. The latest England and Wales figure is 15 births in 2024, compared with 38 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Ishan by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Ishan 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 | #1568 | 78 | 5 |
| 2010s | #1139 | 246 | 10 |
| 2000s | #994 | 216 | 10 |
| 1990s | #1941 | 25 | 4 |
Related
Names similar to Ishan
- Isaac 49,129
- Ibrahim 14,115
- Ismail 4,679
- Isaiah 4,629
- Idris 3,810
- Ivan 3,146
- Isa 2,943
- Ian 2,805
- Ilyas 2,552
- Ieuan 2,515
- Ibraheem 2,384
- Ioan 2,295
FAQ
Ishan: questions and answers
How popular is the name Ishan in the UK right now?
In 2024, Ishan was ranked #1675 for boys in England and Wales, with 15 births registered.
When was Ishan most popular?
The peak year on record was 2010, with 38 babies registered as Ishan in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Ishan?
A masculine Sanskrit name meaning "lord" or "ruler".
How many people are called Ishan in the UK?
A total of 565 babies have been registered as Ishan across the 29 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.