NameCensus.

UK name, mostly boys

Mehrab

An Arabic masculine name meaning "place of prayer" or "sanctuary".

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.

Mehrab is mostly registered for boys in the UK records. People looking for Mehrab popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #2443, with 9 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2024, with 9 births.

This profile covers 64 England and Wales registrations across 14 recorded years from 1997 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.

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

We estimate that about 64 living people in the UK are called Mehrab. 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

  • Mehrab ranked #2443 for boys in England and Wales in 2024, with 9 registrations.
  • The name peaked in 2024, when 9 boys were registered as Mehrab.
  • About 64 living people in the UK are estimated to have Mehrab as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
  • Across the England and Wales records shown here, 85.3% of Mehrab registrations are for boys.

Latest rank (E&W)

#2443

2024

Births in 2024

9

Latest year

Peak year

2024

9 births

Estimated living

64

2026

Gender

Boy and girl registrations for Mehrab

In England and Wales birth records, Mehrab has been registered for both boys and girls. Across the years shown here, 85.3% of registrations are for boys and 14.7% 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.

85% boys
15% girls
Boys64 (85.3%)Girls11 (14.7%)

Mehrab registered for boys

  • Ranked #2,443 in 2024
  • 9 boys registered in 2024
  • Peak: 2024 (9 births)

Mehrab registered for girls

  • Ranked #4,843 in 2024
  • 4 girls registered in 2024
  • Peak: 2015 (4 births)

Meaning

What does Mehrab mean?

The given name Mehrab has its origins in the Persian language, and it is believed to have emerged during the Islamic Golden Age, which spanned from the 8th to the 13th centuries. The name is derived from the Persian word "mehrab," which refers to a decorative niche in a mosque's wall that indicates the direction of Mecca, towards which Muslims must face during their daily prayers.

Historically, the name Mehrab has been associated with various scholarly and religious figures in the Islamic world. One notable individual bearing this name was Mehrab Ghaznavi, a renowned Persian poet who lived during the 11th century and served as a court poet under the Ghaznavid dynasty. His works, which included ghazals and qasidas, were highly celebrated for their eloquence and mastery of the Persian language.

Another historical figure with the name Mehrab was Mehrab Khan, a Pashtun ruler who governed the Kalat region in present-day Pakistan during the 18th century. He played a significant role in establishing the Brahui Confederacy and was known for his efforts in promoting education and cultural development within his realm.

In the realm of Islamic mysticism, Mehrab Dede, a 16th-century Turkish Sufi poet and mystic, stands out as a prominent figure. His spiritual teachings and poetic works, which often celebrated divine love and unity, have left a lasting impact on the Sufi tradition.

During the 13th century, Mehrab-e Rumi, a Persian calligrapher and poet, gained recognition for his exceptional calligraphic skills and his contributions to the literary arts. His works were highly praised and influential during his time.

Lastly, Mehrab Shah, a 17th-century Mughal nobleman and military commander, served under the reign of the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb. He played a crucial role in various military campaigns and was renowned for his bravery and strategic acumen on the battlefield.

While the name Mehrab has a rich historical background, it is important to note that this overview focuses solely on the given name itself and does not encompass its usage as a surname or any modern data related to its prevalence.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

Popularity

Mehrab over time

The chart below compares boys and girls registered as Mehrab in England and Wales, from 1997 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 Mehrab, the clearest high point is 2024. The latest England and Wales figure is 9 births in 2024, compared with 9 at the peak.

Babies born per year

BoysGirls
0371013199720102024

Decades

Mehrab by decade

Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Mehrab 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 #3407 24 4
2010s #4147 23 6
2000s #3210 11 2
1990s #2901 6 2

Related

Names similar to Mehrab

FAQ

Mehrab: questions and answers

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

In 2024, Mehrab was ranked #2443 for boys in England and Wales, with 9 births registered.

When was Mehrab most popular?

The peak year on record was 2024, with 9 babies registered as Mehrab in England and Wales.

What is the meaning and origin of Mehrab?

An Arabic masculine name meaning "place of prayer" or "sanctuary".

How many people are called Mehrab in the UK?

A total of 64 babies have been registered as Mehrab across the 14 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.