UK boy's name
Kalil
Of Arabic origin meaning "friend" or "beloved companion".
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.
Kalil is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Kalil popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #5119, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2007, with 6 births.
This profile covers 84 England and Wales registrations across 22 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 50% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 83 living people in the UK are called Kalil. 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
- • Kalil ranked #5119 for boys in England and Wales in 2024, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2007, when 6 boys were registered as Kalil.
- • About 83 living people in the UK are estimated to have Kalil as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#5119
2024
Births in 2024
3
Latest year
Peak year
2007
6 births
Estimated living
83
2026
Meaning
What does Kalil mean?
The name Kalil has its origins in the Arabic language and culture, originating from the term "Khalil," which means "friend" or "beloved." This name has been in use for centuries, with its earliest recorded instances dating back to the 7th century CE.
One of the most notable historical references to the name Kalil can be found in the Quran, the holy book of Islam. In the Quran, the prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) is referred to as "Khalilullah," meaning "the friend of God." This association with the prophet Ibrahim has contributed to the name's widespread use among Muslims.
The earliest recorded individual with the name Kalil was Khalil ibn Ahmad al-Farahidi, a renowned Arabic philologist and lexicographer who lived in the 8th century CE. He is renowned for his work in compiling one of the earliest dictionaries of the Arabic language, titled "Kitab al-Ayn."
Another notable figure in history with the name Kalil was Khalil Gibran, a Lebanese-American philosopher, artist, and writer, born in 1883 and died in 1931. His poetic works, such as "The Prophet" and "The Madman," have been widely acclaimed and translated into numerous languages.
In the realm of music, Khalil Gibran Muhammad, an American jazz trumpeter and composer, made significant contributions to the genre. He was born in 1936 and passed away in 2001.
Moving to the world of sports, Khalil Mack, an American football player who currently plays as a defensive end for the Los Angeles Chargers in the NFL, was born in 1991 and has earned numerous accolades, including being named to the Pro Bowl multiple times.
Lastly, Khalil Gibran Kahlil, a Lebanese politician and former member of the Lebanese parliament, was born in 1942 and has been active in promoting peace and reconciliation efforts in his country.
These are just a few examples of notable individuals throughout history who have borne the name Kalil, showcasing its rich cultural heritage and enduring popularity across various fields.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Kalil over time
The chart below shows babies named Kalil 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 Kalil, the clearest high point is 2007. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2024, compared with 6 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Kalil by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Kalil 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 | #4414 | 18 | 5 |
| 2010s | #4201 | 30 | 8 |
| 2000s | #3140 | 25 | 6 |
| 1990s | #2606 | 11 | 3 |
Related
Names similar to Kalil
- 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
Kalil: questions and answers
How popular is the name Kalil in the UK right now?
In 2024, Kalil was ranked #5119 for boys in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Kalil most popular?
The peak year on record was 2007, with 6 babies registered as Kalil in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Kalil?
Of Arabic origin meaning "friend" or "beloved companion".
How many people are called Kalil in the UK?
A total of 84 babies have been registered as Kalil across the 22 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.