NameCensus.

UK boy's name

Law

An English name of Anglo-Saxon/Old Norse origin meaning "hill" or "hill law".

For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 1999. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.

Law is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Law popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 1999 in this profile. In that release it ranked #2943, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 1999, with 3 births.

This profile covers 3 England and Wales registrations across 1 recorded years from 1999 to 1999. 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.

Law is at its recorded peak in the England and Wales series.

We estimate that about 3 living people in the UK are called Law. 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 2000 or 2026.

Key insights

  • Law ranked #2943 for boys in England and Wales in 1999, with 3 registrations.
  • The name peaked in 1999, when 3 boys were registered as Law.
  • About 3 living people in the UK are estimated to have Law as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.

Latest rank (E&W)

#2943

1999

Births in 1999

3

Latest year

Peak year

1999

3 births

Estimated living

3

2026

Meaning

What does Law mean?

The name Law originated from the Old English word "lagu," which means "law" or "rule." It first appeared in the 8th century and was used to refer to people who were knowledgeable in legal matters or were responsible for enforcing laws.

In ancient times, the name Law was associated with authority, justice, and order. It was often given to individuals who held positions of power or played a role in establishing and maintaining legal systems within their communities.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Law can be found in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, which mentions a man named Law who lived in the 9th century. However, the name gained more prominence during the Middle Ages, when several notable figures bore it.

One such person was Law de Longueville, a Norman knight who fought alongside William the Conqueror during the Norman Conquest of England in 1066. Another was Law de Burnham, an English judge and legal scholar who lived in the 13th century and wrote extensively on English common law.

During the Renaissance period, the name Law became associated with the burgeoning field of jurisprudence. A notable figure from this era was John Law, a Scottish economist and financial theorist who lived from 1671 to 1729. He is best known for his role in establishing the Banque Générale in France, which ultimately led to the infamous Mississippi Bubble financial crisis.

In the 19th century, the name Law gained popularity in the United States, where several notable figures bore it. One of the most famous was Andrew Law, a American naval officer who served during the War of 1812 and later became a prominent lawyer and politician in Indiana.

Another significant figure was John Law, an American politician and lawyer who served as the 16th Governor of Connecticut from 1842 to 1844. He played a pivotal role in the establishment of the Connecticut Supreme Court and was instrumental in promoting educational reforms in the state.

In more recent times, the name Law has been associated with various fields, including literature, science, and entertainment. One notable bearer was John Law, a British novelist and playwright who lived from 1915 to 2004 and is best known for his satirical works.

Overall, the name Law has a rich history that spans centuries and cultures, reflecting its deep connection to the concepts of order, justice, and legal authority. While its popularity has fluctuated over time, it continues to hold significance as a given name that carries a sense of respect and authority.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

Decades

Law by decade

Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Law 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
1990s #2943 3 1

Related

Names similar to Law

FAQ

Law: questions and answers

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

In 1999, Law was ranked #2943 for boys in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.

When was Law most popular?

The peak year on record was 1999, with 3 babies registered as Law in England and Wales.

What is the meaning and origin of Law?

An English name of Anglo-Saxon/Old Norse origin meaning "hill" or "hill law".

How many people are called Law in the UK?

A total of 3 babies have been registered as Law across the 1 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.