UK boy's name
Marwan
An Arabic masculine name meaning "beautiful, pleasing" or "longing".
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.
Marwan is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Marwan popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #1025, with 29 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2010, with 30 births.
This profile covers 512 England and Wales registrations across 29 recorded years from 1996 to 2024. The figures come from ONS England and Wales and NRS Scotland, 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 97% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 511 living people in the UK are called Marwan. 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
- • Marwan ranked #1025 for boys in England and Wales in 2024, with 29 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2010, when 30 boys were registered as Marwan.
- • Marwan ranks best in Scotland in the latest published regional snapshot for that area, where it placed #305 in 1984.
- • About 511 living people in the UK are estimated to have Marwan as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#1025
2024
Births in 2024
29
Latest year
Peak year
2010
30 births
Estimated living
511
2026
Meaning
What does Marwan mean?
The name Marwan has its origins in the Arabic language and culture, with roots dating back to the 7th century AD. It is derived from the Arabic word "mara," which means "to pass through" or "to move forward." The name is believed to symbolize progress, advancement, and a journey through life.
In Islamic tradition, Marwan is closely associated with the Umayyad dynasty, one of the most prominent dynasties in early Islamic history. The name gained prominence during this period, as it was borne by several influential figures, including Marwan I, the fourth caliph of the Umayyad Caliphate, who ruled from 684 to 685 AD.
The earliest recorded example of the name Marwan can be found in historical records and texts from the 7th and 8th centuries AD. One of the most notable bearers of the name was Marwan ibn al-Hakam, a prominent figure in early Islamic history who played a crucial role in the establishment of the Umayyad dynasty.
Throughout history, several influential individuals have carried the name Marwan. One such figure was Marwan II, the last Umayyad caliph, who ruled from 744 to 750 AD. His reign marked the end of the Umayyad dynasty and the rise of the Abbasid Caliphate.
Another notable bearer of the name was Marwan ibn Muhammad, a renowned scholar and poet who lived during the 10th century AD. His works, which included poetry and literary criticism, have left a lasting impact on Arabic literature.
In more recent times, Marwan has been the name of several notable figures, including Marwan al-Shehhi, one of the hijackers involved in the September 11th attacks in 2001. However, it is important to note that this was an unfortunate association and does not reflect the true meaning and historical significance of the name.
Other prominent individuals with the name Marwan include Marwan Burghuti, a Palestinian political leader and activist, and Marwan Kenzari, a Dutch actor of Tunisian descent known for his roles in films such as "Aladdin" and "The Old Guard."
The name Marwan continues to be popular in the Arabic-speaking world and among Muslim communities around the globe. Its rich historical and cultural significance, combined with its beautiful meaning, make it a name that has endured throughout the centuries.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Marwan over time
The chart below shows babies named Marwan registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1996 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 Marwan, the clearest high point is 2010. The latest England and Wales figure is 29 births in 2024, compared with 30 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Marwan by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Marwan 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 | #1217 | 114 | 5 |
| 2010s | #1290 | 207 | 10 |
| 2000s | #1364 | 165 | 10 |
| 1990s | #1786 | 26 | 4 |
Geography
Where Marwan is most common
The bars show the latest published local birth counts for Marwan. They are useful for spotting where the name is showing up in real numbers, while the rank beside each bar shows how strongly it performs inside that region.
Marwan ranks best in Scotland in the latest published regional snapshot for that area, where it placed #305 in 1984.
Across the UK
Marwan in Scotland and Northern Ireland
Scotland (NRS)
#305 in 1984
1 years of NRS records, 3 total registered
Notable bearers
Famous people named Marwan
-
Marwan Koukash
jockey
British businessman
1958-
Related
Names similar to Marwan
- Matthew 80,931
- Mohammed 74,321
- Muhammad 72,235
- Max 59,807
- Michael 47,075
- Mason 38,935
- Mohammad 25,910
- Morgan 15,994
- Muhammed 11,527
- Mark 11,336
- Marcus 11,257
- Maxwell 10,006
FAQ
Marwan: questions and answers
How popular is the name Marwan in the UK right now?
In 2024, Marwan was ranked #1025 for boys in England and Wales, with 29 births registered.
When was Marwan most popular?
The peak year on record was 2010, with 30 babies registered as Marwan in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Marwan?
An Arabic masculine name meaning "beautiful, pleasing" or "longing".
How many people are called Marwan in the UK?
A total of 512 babies have been registered as Marwan across the 29 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here, plus 3 more in Scotland.
Where is Marwan most common?
In the latest published local rankings, Marwan ranks best in Scotland, where it placed #305 in 1984. The regional bars on this page use birth counts, so they also reflect the size of each region.
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.