UK girl's name
Mahnaz
A feminine Persian name meaning "moon" or "moon-like beauty".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2022. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Mahnaz is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Mahnaz popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2022 in this profile. In that release it ranked #3970, with 5 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2011, with 6 births.
This profile covers 45 England and Wales registrations across 10 recorded years from 1997 to 2022. 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 83% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 45 living people in the UK are called Mahnaz. 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 2023 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Mahnaz ranked #3970 for girls in England and Wales in 2022, with 5 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2011, when 6 girls were registered as Mahnaz.
- • About 45 living people in the UK are estimated to have Mahnaz as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#3970
2022
Births in 2022
5
Latest year
Peak year
2011
6 births
Estimated living
45
2026
Meaning
What does Mahnaz mean?
Mahnaz is a Persian name that originated in ancient Iran, with roots dating back to the pre-Islamic era. The name is derived from the Persian word "mah," meaning moon, and "naz," meaning beauty or delicacy. Therefore, the name Mahnaz translates to "moon-like beauty" or "beautiful as the moon."
In ancient Persian mythology, the moon was revered as a symbol of femininity, grace, and fertility. The name Mahnaz reflects this cultural significance, often bestowed upon daughters as a wish for their beauty and elegance to shine like the radiant moon.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Mahnaz can be found in the Persian epic poem "Shahnameh" (Book of Kings), written by the renowned poet Ferdowsi in the late 10th and early 11th centuries. In this literary masterpiece, Mahnaz is mentioned as the name of a beautiful princess.
Throughout history, several notable women have borne the name Mahnaz. One of the most famous is Mahnaz Afkhami (born 1941), an Iranian activist and former Minister of State for Women's Affairs in Iran. She has been a prominent advocate for women's rights and has received numerous international awards for her work.
Another notable Mahnaz is Mahnaz Mehri (born 1957), an Iranian-American actress and author. She has appeared in various films and television shows, including the critically acclaimed film "The Stoning of Soraya M." Mehri has also written several books exploring Iranian culture and women's experiences.
In the realm of literature, Mahnaz Yazdani (1925-2002) was a celebrated Persian poet and author. Her works, which often explored themes of love, loss, and the human condition, have left a lasting impact on Persian literature.
Mahnaz Bashiri (born 1942) is an Iranian-American scholar and author who has made significant contributions to the study of Persian language and literature. She has authored numerous books and articles on these subjects and has taught at various prestigious universities.
Mahnaz Afkhami (born 1946), not to be confused with the activist mentioned earlier, is an Iranian-American artist and sculptor. Her works, which often incorporate Persian motifs and themes, have been exhibited in galleries around the world and are celebrated for their beauty and cultural significance.
It is important to note that while the name Mahnaz has its roots in ancient Persian culture, it has transcended geographical boundaries and is now used by individuals from various backgrounds and ethnicities worldwide.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Mahnaz over time
The chart below shows babies named Mahnaz registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1997 to 2022. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Mahnaz, the clearest high point is 2011. The latest England and Wales figure is 5 births in 2022, compared with 6 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Mahnaz by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Mahnaz 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 | #3970 | 5 | 1 |
| 2010s | #4400 | 28 | 6 |
| 2000s | #4116 | 9 | 2 |
| 1990s | #3824 | 3 | 1 |
Related
Names similar to Mahnaz
- Megan 70,884
- Mia 67,204
- Molly 47,734
- Millie 44,390
- Maisie 32,671
- Matilda 29,965
- Maya 26,445
- Madison 18,441
- Maria 17,304
- Mollie 15,914
- Martha 15,116
- Maddison 14,918
FAQ
Mahnaz: questions and answers
How popular is the name Mahnaz in the UK right now?
In 2022, Mahnaz was ranked #3970 for girls in England and Wales, with 5 births registered.
When was Mahnaz most popular?
The peak year on record was 2011, with 6 babies registered as Mahnaz in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Mahnaz?
A feminine Persian name meaning "moon" or "moon-like beauty".
How many people are called Mahnaz in the UK?
A total of 45 babies have been registered as Mahnaz across the 10 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.