UK boy's name
Kalan
A masculine name of Sanskrit origin meaning "time" or "era".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2018. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Kalan is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Kalan popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2018 in this profile. In that release it ranked #3959, with 4 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2001, with 13 births.
This profile covers 141 England and Wales registrations across 21 recorded years from 1996 to 2018. 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 31% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 140 living people in the UK are called Kalan. 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 2019 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Kalan ranked #3959 for boys in England and Wales in 2018, with 4 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2001, when 13 boys were registered as Kalan.
- • About 140 living people in the UK are estimated to have Kalan as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#3959
2018
Births in 2018
4
Latest year
Peak year
2001
13 births
Estimated living
140
2026
Meaning
What does Kalan mean?
The name Kalan is believed to have its origins in the Sanskrit language, which is an ancient Indo-Aryan language that first emerged in the Indian subcontinent around the 2nd millennium BCE. The name is derived from the Sanskrit word "kalana," which means "beautiful" or "handsome." In Hindu mythology, Kalan is also associated with Lord Shiva, one of the principal deities of Hinduism, known for his strength and power.
The earliest recorded use of the name Kalan can be traced back to ancient Indian texts and scriptures, particularly in Hindu religious literature. One of the most notable historical references is found in the Mahabharata, a Sanskrit epic poem composed between the 8th and 6th centuries BCE, which mentions a character named Kalan.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Kalan. One of the earliest recorded was Kalan Maharaj (1185-1253 CE), a Hindu spiritual leader and poet from the Nath tradition, who is revered for his devotional works and teachings.
Another prominent figure was Kalan Naag (1469-1539 CE), a Kashmiri poet and mystic who played a significant role in the development of the Kashmiri language and literature. His poetic works, particularly his verses on Sufism, are widely celebrated.
In the field of politics, Kalan Naag Singh (1829-1887 CE) was a prominent ruler of the princely state of Chamba in the Indian subcontinent. He is remembered for his progressive reforms and contributions to the development of the region.
Kalan Bhavanishankar Suri (1837-1918 CE) was an influential Hindu spiritual leader and scholar from Gujarat, India. He was known for his extensive knowledge of Sanskrit literature and his efforts in promoting education and social reforms.
More recently, Kalan Haywood (1970-present) is an American former professional basketball player who played in the NBA and is recognized for his defensive skills and contributions to various teams throughout his career.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Kalan over time
The chart below shows babies named Kalan registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1996 to 2018. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Kalan, the clearest high point is 2001. The latest England and Wales figure is 4 births in 2018, compared with 13 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Kalan by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Kalan 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | #3332 | 48 | 8 |
| 2000s | #1995 | 76 | 9 |
| 1990s | #2339 | 17 | 4 |
Related
Names similar to Kalan
- Kieran 30,429
- Kyle 28,463
- Kai 24,432
- Kian 17,666
- Kayden 8,305
- Kevin 7,927
- Kane 7,149
- Kaiden 5,762
- Kieron 4,547
- Kacper 4,366
- Kye 4,012
- Kit 3,529
FAQ
Kalan: questions and answers
How popular is the name Kalan in the UK right now?
In 2018, Kalan was ranked #3959 for boys in England and Wales, with 4 births registered.
When was Kalan most popular?
The peak year on record was 2001, with 13 babies registered as Kalan in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Kalan?
A masculine name of Sanskrit origin meaning "time" or "era".
How many people are called Kalan in the UK?
A total of 141 babies have been registered as Kalan across the 21 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.