UK boy's name
Kriyan
A variant spelling of the Indian name Krishan, derived from Sanskrit kṛṣṇa meaning "dark, black".
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.
Kriyan is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Kriyan 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 2018, with 5 births.
This profile covers 18 England and Wales registrations across 5 recorded years from 2018 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 60% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 18 living people in the UK are called Kriyan. 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
- • Kriyan ranked #5119 for boys in England and Wales in 2024, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2018, when 5 boys were registered as Kriyan.
- • About 18 living people in the UK are estimated to have Kriyan 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
2018
5 births
Estimated living
18
2026
Meaning
What does Kriyan mean?
The name Kriyan has its origins in the ancient Sanskrit language of India, dating back to the Vedic period around 1500-500 BCE. It is derived from the Sanskrit word "kriya," which means "action" or "ritual." The name likely refers to someone who performed sacred rituals or was associated with spiritual practices.
One of the earliest recorded references to the name Kriyan can be found in the Hindu epic Mahabharata, where it is mentioned as the name of a sage or rishi. This ancient text, composed between the 8th and 4th centuries BCE, is considered one of the most significant works in Indian literature and mythology.
In the 6th century CE, a Buddhist monk named Kriyan Arya is recorded as having traveled from India to China, where he played a significant role in the translation and propagation of Buddhist texts. This early appearance of the name in historical records highlights its use in spiritual and religious contexts.
During the medieval period, the name Kriyan was associated with several notable figures in India. One example is Kriyan Nath, a 13th-century Hindu mystic and saint from the Nath tradition, who was known for his spiritual teachings and contributions to the Bhakti movement.
In the 16th century, Kriyan Das was a renowned Indian poet and devotee of the Hindu deity Krishna. His works, written in the Braj Bhasha language, are celebrated for their devotional themes and lyrical beauty.
Another notable figure with the name Kriyan was Kriyan Singh, a 17th-century Sikh warrior and general who served under the leadership of Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Sikh Guru. He is remembered for his bravery and contributions to the Sikh struggle for freedom.
While the name Kriyan has its roots in ancient India, it has been used across various cultures and traditions over the centuries, often associated with spiritual, religious, or literary figures. Its rich history and connection to sacred practices and rituals have contributed to its enduring significance and appeal.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Kriyan over time
The chart below shows babies named Kriyan registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2018 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 Kriyan, the clearest high point is 2018. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2024, compared with 5 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Kriyan by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Kriyan 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 | #4656 | 13 | 4 |
| 2010s | #3412 | 5 | 1 |
Related
Names similar to Kriyan
- 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
Kriyan: questions and answers
How popular is the name Kriyan in the UK right now?
In 2024, Kriyan was ranked #5119 for boys in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Kriyan most popular?
The peak year on record was 2018, with 5 babies registered as Kriyan in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Kriyan?
A variant spelling of the Indian name Krishan, derived from Sanskrit kṛṣṇa meaning "dark, black".
How many people are called Kriyan in the UK?
A total of 18 babies have been registered as Kriyan 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.