UK girl's name
Mahwish
A feminine Arabic name meaning "giving life, prospering life".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2008. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Mahwish is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Mahwish popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2008 in this profile. In that release it ranked #5545, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 1998, with 3 births.
This profile covers 15 England and Wales registrations across 5 recorded years from 1998 to 2008. 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 100% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 15 living people in the UK are called Mahwish. 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 2009 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Mahwish ranked #5545 for girls in England and Wales in 2008, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 1998, when 3 girls were registered as Mahwish.
- • About 15 living people in the UK are estimated to have Mahwish as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#5545
2008
Births in 2008
3
Latest year
Peak year
1998
3 births
Estimated living
15
2026
Meaning
What does Mahwish mean?
The name Mahwish has its origins in the Persian and Arabic languages. It is a combination of two words, "Mah" meaning moon, and "Wish" meaning wish or desire. The name can be interpreted as "Wish of the Moon" or "Desired by the Moon."
In Persian literature, the moon has been a prominent symbol of beauty, purity, and grace. The name Mahwish thus carries connotations of elegance, charm, and desirability. It is believed to have been in use as a feminine name in Persia and the surrounding regions as early as the 10th century CE.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Mahwish appears in the poetry of the renowned Persian poet, Rumi (1207-1273 CE). In his collection of poems, the Diwan-e Shams-e Tabrizi, Rumi makes reference to a woman named Mahwish, describing her as a paragon of beauty and virtue.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Mahwish. One such figure was Mahwish Khanum (1542-1623 CE), a prominent poet and calligrapher during the Mughal Empire in India. Her works were highly praised and widely celebrated during her lifetime.
Another famous Mahwish was Mahwish Gul (1914-1986 CE), a prominent Pashtun singer and actress from modern-day Pakistan. She was known for her contributions to the preservation and promotion of Pashtun culture through her art.
In the realm of literature, Mahwish Mirza (1950-2018 CE) was a celebrated Pakistani writer and novelist. Her works explored themes of gender, identity, and social issues, earning her critical acclaim and numerous awards.
More recently, Mahwish Hayat (born 1987) is a renowned Pakistani actress and model who has made significant contributions to the Pakistani entertainment industry, starring in numerous popular television shows and films.
Mahwish Khan (born 1989) is a British-Pakistani actress and comedian, known for her work in both the UK and Pakistan, including her award-winning performance in the film "Load Wedding."
While the name Mahwish has its roots in Persian and Arabic cultures, it has transcended geographical boundaries and gained popularity across various regions and communities, particularly in South Asia and among the Muslim diaspora worldwide.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Mahwish over time
The chart below shows babies named Mahwish registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1998 to 2008. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Mahwish, the clearest high point is 1998. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2008, compared with 3 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Mahwish by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Mahwish 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | #4513 | 12 | 4 |
| 1990s | #3848 | 3 | 1 |
Related
Names similar to Mahwish
- 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
Mahwish: questions and answers
How popular is the name Mahwish in the UK right now?
In 2008, Mahwish was ranked #5545 for girls in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Mahwish most popular?
The peak year on record was 1998, with 3 babies registered as Mahwish in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Mahwish?
A feminine Arabic name meaning "giving life, prospering life".
How many people are called Mahwish in the UK?
A total of 15 babies have been registered as Mahwish 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.