UK girl's name
Kismet
An Arabic name meaning "fate" or "destiny.".
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.
Kismet is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Kismet popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2014 in this profile. In that release it ranked #5691, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 1996, with 4 births.
This profile covers 16 England and Wales registrations across 5 recorded years from 1996 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 16 living people in the UK are called Kismet. 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
- • Kismet ranked #5691 for girls in England and Wales in 2014, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 1996, when 4 girls were registered as Kismet.
- • About 16 living people in the UK are estimated to have Kismet as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#5691
2014
Births in 2014
3
Latest year
Peak year
1996
4 births
Estimated living
16
2026
Meaning
What does Kismet mean?
The name Kismet originates from the Arabic language and has its roots in the word "qismat," which means "portion" or "share." It is believed to have entered the English language in the 18th century through Turkish and Persian influences.
Kismet is often associated with the concept of fate or destiny, representing the idea that events in one's life are predetermined or influenced by a higher power. The name gained popularity in the Western world through its usage in literature and art, particularly in works that explored themes of Eastern mysticism and philosophy.
One of the earliest recorded uses of the name Kismet can be found in the epic Persian poem "Shahnameh" (Book of Kings), written by the renowned poet Ferdowsi in the late 10th century. In this epic, the term "kismat" is used to refer to the predetermined fate or destiny of various characters.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Kismet. One such figure is Kismet Munir (1924-2018), a Pakistani writer and poet known for her contributions to Urdu literature. Another is Kismet Pranjali (1920-2005), an Indian classical dancer and choreographer who played a significant role in promoting and preserving the traditional dance forms of India.
In the realm of entertainment, Kismet El Sibaï (born 1968) is a prominent Egyptian actress and singer who has appeared in numerous films and television shows. Additionally, Kismet Nuñez (born 1976) is a Puerto Rican actress and model known for her roles in various American television series.
It is worth mentioning that the name Kismet also gained widespread recognition through the 1953 Broadway musical of the same name, which was set in a fictionalized version of Baghdad. The musical, with music and lyrics by Robert Wright and George Forrest, was a critical and commercial success and contributed to the popularization of the name in Western culture.
Overall, the name Kismet carries a rich cultural heritage and has been imbued with deep philosophical and artistic significance throughout its long history. Its association with fate and destiny has made it a captivating choice for individuals across various cultures and time periods.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Kismet over time
The chart below shows babies named Kismet registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1996 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 Kismet, the clearest high point is 1996. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2014, compared with 4 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Kismet by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Kismet 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 | #5699 | 6 | 2 |
| 2000s | #4468 | 6 | 2 |
| 1990s | #3126 | 4 | 1 |
Related
Names similar to Kismet
- Katie 53,185
- Keira 14,411
- Katherine 11,323
- Kayleigh 10,677
- Kate 10,276
- Kelsey 7,224
- Kiera 7,218
- Kayla 6,541
- Kirsty 6,384
- Khadija 5,948
- Kimberley 5,189
- Kaitlyn 5,137
FAQ
Kismet: questions and answers
How popular is the name Kismet in the UK right now?
In 2014, Kismet was ranked #5691 for girls in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Kismet most popular?
The peak year on record was 1996, with 4 babies registered as Kismet in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Kismet?
An Arabic name meaning "fate" or "destiny.".
How many people are called Kismet in the UK?
A total of 16 babies have been registered as Kismet 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.