UK boy's name
Murat
A Turkish masculine name derived from the Arabic words "murad" meaning "desired" or "aspired".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2023. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Murat is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Murat popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2023 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4991, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 1996, with 14 births.
This profile covers 179 England and Wales registrations across 25 recorded years from 1996 to 2023. 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 21% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 177 living people in the UK are called Murat. 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 2024 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Murat ranked #4991 for boys in England and Wales in 2023, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 1996, when 14 boys were registered as Murat.
- • About 177 living people in the UK are estimated to have Murat as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#4991
2023
Births in 2023
3
Latest year
Peak year
1996
14 births
Estimated living
177
2026
Meaning
What does Murat mean?
The name Murat has its origins in the Turkish language and culture, with roots dating back several centuries. It is derived from the Turkish word "murad," which means "desire" or "aspiration." This name gained popularity during the Ottoman Empire era, which spanned from the 13th to the 20th century.
In the early days of the Ottoman Empire, the name Murat was associated with nobility and prestige. It was often given to sons of sultans and high-ranking officials, symbolizing their ambitions and hopes for the future. Over time, the name spread across the regions controlled by the Ottoman Empire, including parts of modern-day Turkey, the Balkans, and the Middle East.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Murat can be found in the chronicles of the Ottoman Empire. Murat I, also known as Murad I, was the Ottoman Sultan who reigned from 1362 to 1389. He was a skilled military leader and played a crucial role in the expansion of the Ottoman Empire into the Balkans.
Another notable figure bearing the name Murat was Murat II, the Ottoman Sultan who ruled from 1421 to 1451. He was known for his diplomatic skills and successfully navigated the complex political landscape of the time, solidifying the Ottoman Empire's position in the region.
In the realm of literature, the name Murat appears in the works of renowned Turkish poets and writers. For instance, Murat Bardakçı, born in 1934, was a Turkish writer and historian who authored numerous books on the Ottoman Empire and its culture.
Beyond the Ottoman Empire, the name Murat also found its way into other cultures and regions. Murat Başoğlu, born in 1940, was a Turkish-Cypriot politician and diplomat who served as the President of Northern Cyprus from 1993 to 2005.
In the realm of sports, Murat Yıldırım, born in 1981, is a former Turkish professional basketball player who represented the Turkish national team and played in various European leagues.
While these are just a few examples, the name Murat has been borne by numerous individuals throughout history, each leaving their mark in their respective fields and contributing to the rich tapestry of cultures and societies across the world.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Murat over time
The chart below shows babies named Murat registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1996 to 2023. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Murat, the clearest high point is 1996. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2023, compared with 14 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Murat by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Murat 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 | #4856 | 9 | 3 |
| 2010s | #3516 | 40 | 8 |
| 2000s | #1991 | 88 | 10 |
| 1990s | #1263 | 42 | 4 |
Notable bearers
Famous people named Murat
-
Murat Erdoğan
association football player
Turkish association football player (born 1976)
1976-
Related
Names similar to Murat
- 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
Murat: questions and answers
How popular is the name Murat in the UK right now?
In 2023, Murat was ranked #4991 for boys in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Murat most popular?
The peak year on record was 1996, with 14 babies registered as Murat in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Murat?
A Turkish masculine name derived from the Arabic words "murad" meaning "desired" or "aspired".
How many people are called Murat in the UK?
A total of 179 babies have been registered as Murat across the 25 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.