NameCensus.

UK boy's name

Kathan

A name of Sanskrit origin meaning storyteller or narrator.

For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2014. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.

Kathan is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Kathan popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2014 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4632, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2005, with 4 births.

This profile covers 17 England and Wales registrations across 5 recorded years from 2004 to 2014. 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 17 living people in the UK are called Kathan. 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 2015 or 2026.

Key insights

  • Kathan ranked #4632 for boys in England and Wales in 2014, with 3 registrations.
  • The name peaked in 2005, when 4 boys were registered as Kathan.
  • About 17 living people in the UK are estimated to have Kathan as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.

Latest rank (E&W)

#4632

2014

Births in 2014

3

Latest year

Peak year

2005

4 births

Estimated living

17

2026

Meaning

What does Kathan mean?

The name Kathan is believed to have its origins in the Sanskrit language, which is one of the oldest Indo-Aryan languages spoken in the Indian subcontinent. It is derived from the Sanskrit word "Kathana," which means "narration" or "story." The name Kathan, therefore, signifies someone who is a storyteller or a narrator.

In ancient Hindu scriptures and texts, the name Kathan is mentioned in various contexts, often referring to scholars, philosophers, or spiritual teachers who were known for their ability to convey profound wisdom through stories and parables. One of the earliest known references to the name can be found in the Puranas, which are ancient Hindu texts that detail the creation of the universe and the lives of various deities and sages.

One of the most famous historical figures bearing the name Kathan was Kathan Acharya, a renowned Sanskrit scholar and playwright who lived in the 7th century CE. He is best known for his work titled "Katha Sarit Sagara," which is a collection of tales and fables that have been influential in shaping Indian literature and culture.

Another notable figure with the name Kathan was Kathan Bhatt, a 17th-century Indian poet and scholar from the Deccan region. He is remembered for his contributions to the Marathi language and literature, particularly his work on the epic poem "Pandava Pratap."

In the field of Indian classical music, Kathan Ahir was a prominent figure during the 16th century. He was a renowned musician and composer who is credited with introducing several innovations in the Dhrupad style of Hindustani classical music.

Moving forward in time, Kathan Singh Rana was a renowned Indian freedom fighter and revolutionary who played a significant role in the Indian independence movement against British rule in the early 20th century. He was born in 1897 and was actively involved in various revolutionary activities, including the Ghadar Party movement.

Another historical figure bearing the name Kathan was Kathan Tripathi, an Indian lawyer and politician who served as the Chief Minister of the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh from 1971 to 1973. He was born in 1905 and was known for his contributions to the political landscape of India during the post-independence era.

These are just a few examples of notable figures throughout history who bore the name Kathan, illustrating its deep-rooted connections to Indian culture, literature, and traditions.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

Popularity

Kathan over time

The chart below shows babies named Kathan registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2004 to 2014. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.

For Kathan, the clearest high point is 2005. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2014, compared with 4 at the peak.

Babies born per year

Kathan
01234200420092014

Decades

Kathan by decade

Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Kathan 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 #4632 3 1
2000s #3693 14 4

Related

Names similar to Kathan

FAQ

Kathan: questions and answers

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

In 2014, Kathan was ranked #4632 for boys in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.

When was Kathan most popular?

The peak year on record was 2005, with 4 babies registered as Kathan in England and Wales.

What is the meaning and origin of Kathan?

A name of Sanskrit origin meaning storyteller or narrator.

How many people are called Kathan in the UK?

A total of 17 babies have been registered as Kathan across the 5 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.