UK boy's name
Jiyan
A Persian name meaning "life" or "alive".
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.
Jiyan is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Jiyan popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #1951, with 12 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2021, with 16 births.
This profile covers 125 England and Wales registrations across 18 recorded years from 2006 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 75% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 124 living people in the UK are called Jiyan. 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
- • Jiyan ranked #1951 for boys in England and Wales in 2024, with 12 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2021, when 16 boys were registered as Jiyan.
- • About 124 living people in the UK are estimated to have Jiyan as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#1951
2024
Births in 2024
12
Latest year
Peak year
2021
16 births
Estimated living
124
2026
Meaning
What does Jiyan mean?
The name Jiyan has its origins in the Kurdish language, which is spoken predominantly in parts of Turkey, Iran, Iraq, and Syria. It is derived from the Kurdish word "jiyan," which means "life" or "living." The name holds a deep cultural significance for the Kurdish people, who have a rich history and traditions deeply rooted in their language and customs.
The earliest recorded use of the name Jiyan can be traced back to ancient Kurdish folklore and oral traditions. It was often given to children as a symbol of the hope and resilience of the Kurdish people, who have endured numerous struggles and challenges throughout their history. The name also appears in some of the earliest written works in the Kurdish language, such as poetry and prose from the 16th and 17th centuries.
One of the most notable historical figures to bear the name Jiyan was Jiyan Hazim, a renowned Kurdish poet and writer who lived in the late 19th century. Her poetry celebrated the beauty of the Kurdish language and culture, and she is revered as one of the most influential figures in modern Kurdish literature.
Another notable bearer of the name was Jiyan Ali, a Kurdish freedom fighter who played a pivotal role in the Kurdish resistance against the Ottoman Empire in the early 20th century. She is remembered for her courage and unwavering commitment to the cause of Kurdish independence.
In more recent times, the name Jiyan has been carried by several notable figures in various fields. Jiyan Derik (born 1985) is a Kurdish-Swedish journalist and human rights activist who has brought attention to the plight of the Kurdish people through her writing and advocacy work.
Jiyan Qubad (born 1979) is a renowned Kurdish singer and musician who has helped to preserve and promote Kurdish musical traditions through her performances and recordings. Her music has resonated with audiences around the world and has contributed to the cultural renaissance of the Kurdish people.
Jiyan Kawa (born 1991) is a Kurdish-Iranian athlete who has represented Iran in international competitions in weightlifting. She has won numerous medals and accolades for her achievements in the sport and has become a source of pride and inspiration for Kurdish youth.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Jiyan over time
The chart below shows babies named Jiyan registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2006 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 Jiyan, the clearest high point is 2021. The latest England and Wales figure is 12 births in 2024, compared with 16 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Jiyan by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Jiyan 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 | #2118 | 57 | 5 |
| 2010s | #3419 | 49 | 9 |
| 2000s | #3349 | 19 | 4 |
Related
Names similar to Jiyan
- Jack 188,738
- Joshua 145,192
- James 141,878
- Joseph 102,259
- Jacob 93,754
- Jake 66,896
- Jamie 41,243
- Jordan 36,750
- Jayden 28,921
- Jude 24,156
- John 22,240
- Joe 19,164
FAQ
Jiyan: questions and answers
How popular is the name Jiyan in the UK right now?
In 2024, Jiyan was ranked #1951 for boys in England and Wales, with 12 births registered.
When was Jiyan most popular?
The peak year on record was 2021, with 16 babies registered as Jiyan in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Jiyan?
A Persian name meaning "life" or "alive".
How many people are called Jiyan in the UK?
A total of 125 babies have been registered as Jiyan across the 18 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.