UK boy's name
Meraj
A masculine Arabic name meaning ascension or elevation.
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2018. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Meraj is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Meraj popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2018 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4749, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2003, with 4 births.
This profile covers 16 England and Wales registrations across 5 recorded years from 2003 to 2018. 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 75% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 16 living people in the UK are called Meraj. 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 2019 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Meraj ranked #4749 for boys in England and Wales in 2018, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2003, when 4 boys were registered as Meraj.
- • About 16 living people in the UK are estimated to have Meraj as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#4749
2018
Births in 2018
3
Latest year
Peak year
2003
4 births
Estimated living
16
2026
Meaning
What does Meraj mean?
Meraj is a name with roots in the Arabic and Persian languages. It is derived from the Arabic word "mi'raj," which means "ascension" or "ladder." The name's origins can be traced back to the 7th century AD, during the time of the Islamic prophet Muhammad.
In Islamic tradition, the word "mi'raj" refers to the miraculous night journey and ascension of Prophet Muhammad to the heavens, where he received divine revelations and instructions from God. This event, known as Isra and Mi'raj, is commemorated annually by Muslims worldwide and holds great significance in Islamic faith and spirituality.
The earliest recorded use of the name Meraj can be found in historical records and texts from the medieval Islamic world. It was a popular name among Muslim families, particularly in the regions of the Middle East, Central Asia, and the Indian subcontinent.
Throughout history, several notable figures have borne the name Meraj. One of the earliest examples is Meraj al-Deen Ali Khan (1170-1235), a renowned Sufi mystic and scholar from the Delhi Sultanate in India. He was known for his spiritual teachings and contributions to the spread of Sufism in the region.
Another prominent figure was Meraj ud-Daulah (1608-1672), a Mughal nobleman and military commander who served under the reign of the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb. He played a significant role in the expansion and consolidation of the Mughal Empire in South Asia.
In the 19th century, Meraj Khan Khattack (1810-1878) was a prominent Pashtun chieftain and military leader in the region of present-day Pakistan. He played a crucial role in the Anglo-Afghan Wars, leading his tribe against the British forces.
In more recent history, Meraj Khalid (1916-2003) was a renowned Pakistani poet, writer, and intellectual. He was a recipient of the prestigious Pride of Performance award and is celebrated for his contributions to Urdu literature and poetry.
Another notable figure was Meraj Malik (1939-2022), a renowned Pakistani diplomat and politician. He served as the Foreign Secretary of Pakistan and later as the Minister of Foreign Affairs, playing a crucial role in shaping Pakistan's foreign policy.
These are just a few examples of the historical figures who have borne the name Meraj. The name's rich heritage and connection to Islamic tradition and spirituality have made it a popular choice among Muslim families throughout the centuries.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Meraj over time
The chart below shows babies named Meraj registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2003 to 2018. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Meraj, the clearest high point is 2003. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2018, compared with 4 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Meraj by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Meraj 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | #4690 | 12 | 4 |
| 2000s | #2857 | 4 | 1 |
Related
Names similar to Meraj
- 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
Meraj: questions and answers
How popular is the name Meraj in the UK right now?
In 2018, Meraj was ranked #4749 for boys in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Meraj most popular?
The peak year on record was 2003, with 4 babies registered as Meraj in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Meraj?
A masculine Arabic name meaning ascension or elevation.
How many people are called Meraj in the UK?
A total of 16 babies have been registered as Meraj 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.