NameCensus.

UK name, mostly girls

Liyan

An Arabic name meaning pure, pristine, or chaste.

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.

Also recorded as a boys' name in the UK, with 14 boys.

Liyan is mostly registered for girls in the UK records. People looking for Liyan popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4843, with 4 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2022, with 8 births.

This profile covers 53 England and Wales registrations across 11 recorded years from 2013 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 53 living people in the UK are called Liyan. 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

  • Liyan ranked #4843 for girls in England and Wales in 2024, with 4 registrations.
  • The name peaked in 2022, when 8 girls were registered as Liyan.
  • Liyan is also recorded for boys, but the girls side is the larger UK variant in these records.
  • About 53 living people in the UK are estimated to have Liyan as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
  • Across the England and Wales records shown here, 79.1% of Liyan registrations are for girls.

Latest rank (E&W)

#4843

2024

Births in 2024

4

Latest year

Peak year

2022

8 births

Estimated living

53

2026

Gender

Boy and girl registrations for Liyan

In England and Wales birth records, Liyan has been registered for both boys and girls. Across the years shown here, 20.9% of registrations are for boys and 79.1% are for girls.

These figures use the sex categories in the published baby-name files. They are useful for spotting how the name is used at registration, but they are not a live measure of gender identity or everyone living with the name today.

21% boys
79% girls
Boys14 (20.9%)Girls53 (79.1%)

Liyan registered for boys

  • Ranked #3,254 in 2024
  • 6 boys registered in 2024
  • Peak: 2024 (6 births)

Liyan registered for girls

  • Ranked #4,843 in 2024
  • 4 girls registered in 2024
  • Peak: 2022 (8 births)

Meaning

What does Liyan mean?

The name Liyan has its origins in Arabic culture and language. It is derived from the Arabic word "layyin," which means "soft" or "gentle." The name is believed to have been in use since ancient times, with records of its usage dating back to the 7th century CE.

One of the earliest recorded mentions of the name Liyan can be found in the works of renowned Arab poets and writers from the 7th to 9th centuries. These literary works often featured characters or individuals with this name, indicating its widespread use during that time period.

Throughout history, several notable figures have borne the name Liyan. One of the most prominent was Liyan al-Kindi (801-866 CE), an Arab philosopher, mathematician, and scientist who made significant contributions to the development of Islamic philosophy and the advancement of scientific knowledge during the Golden Age of Islam.

Another historically significant figure with the name Liyan was Liyan al-Mahri (1175-1242 CE), a renowned Yemeni poet and scholar who was widely celebrated for her eloquent and insightful poetry. Her works often explored themes of love, spirituality, and the human experience.

In the 14th century, Liyan al-Aydarus (1304-1375 CE) was a prominent Sufi mystic and spiritual leader from Yemen. He was known for his teachings on Islamic mysticism and his efforts to promote unity and understanding among different religious communities.

Fast-forwarding to the 19th century, Liyan al-Tahtawi (1801-1873 CE) was an Egyptian scholar and writer who played a crucial role in the Arab renaissance movement. He was instrumental in introducing modern Western ideas and concepts to the Arab world and advocating for educational and social reforms.

In more recent times, Liyan al-Qasimi (born 1973) is a notable Emirati writer, poet, and academic. She has published several collections of poetry and has contributed significantly to the literary and cultural landscape of the United Arab Emirates.

The name Liyan continues to be popular among Arabic-speaking communities around the world, carrying with it a sense of gentleness and grace. Its rich historical roots and cultural significance have ensured its enduring appeal across generations.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

Popularity

Liyan over time

The chart below compares boys and girls registered as Liyan in England and Wales, from 2013 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 Liyan, the clearest high point is 2022. The latest England and Wales figure is 4 births in 2024, compared with 8 at the peak.

Babies born per year

BoysGirls
035810201320182024

Decades

Liyan by decade

Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Liyan 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 #3965 28 5
2010s #4733 25 6

Related

Names similar to Liyan

FAQ

Liyan: questions and answers

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

In 2024, Liyan was ranked #4843 for girls in England and Wales, with 4 births registered.

When was Liyan most popular?

The peak year on record was 2022, with 8 babies registered as Liyan in England and Wales.

What is the meaning and origin of Liyan?

An Arabic name meaning pure, pristine, or chaste.

How many people are called Liyan in the UK?

A total of 53 babies have been registered as Liyan across the 11 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.