UK girl's name
Nargis
A feminine name of Persian origin meaning "daffodil" or "narcissus" flower.
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.
Nargis is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Nargis popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2023 in this profile. In that release it ranked #5687, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2008, with 8 births.
This profile covers 68 England and Wales registrations across 17 recorded years from 1997 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 38% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 68 living people in the UK are called Nargis. 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
- • Nargis ranked #5687 for girls in England and Wales in 2023, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2008, when 8 girls were registered as Nargis.
- • About 68 living people in the UK are estimated to have Nargis as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#5687
2023
Births in 2023
3
Latest year
Peak year
2008
8 births
Estimated living
68
2026
Meaning
What does Nargis mean?
The name Nargis is of Persian origin, derived from the Persian word "Nargis," which means "daffodil" or "narcissus." This floral name has its roots in ancient Persian culture and literature.
In Persian mythology, the narcissus flower was associated with beauty, rebirth, and the arrival of spring. The name was often used as a poetic metaphor to describe a beautiful woman or a beloved one. It first appeared in Persian poetry and literature as early as the 10th century AD.
One of the earliest recorded examples of the name Nargis can be found in the epic Persian poem "Shahnameh" (The Book of Kings) by the renowned poet Ferdowsi (940-1020 AD). In this literary masterpiece, Nargis is mentioned as the name of a beautiful princess.
Throughout history, several notable figures have borne the name Nargis. One of the most famous was Nargis Dutt (1929-1981), a celebrated Indian actress and film star who was known as the "Queen of Indian Cinema." She appeared in numerous Bollywood films and won several awards for her performances.
Another notable Nargis was Nargis Mahaluxmiwala (1897-1964), an Indian social worker and activist who played a significant role in the Indian independence movement. She worked closely with Mahatma Gandhi and was actively involved in the Salt Satyagraha and the Quit India Movement.
In Turkish history, Nargis Sultan (1555-1582) was a prominent figure. She was the daughter of Sultan Selim II and served as the Haseki Sultan (chief consort) to her brother, Sultan Murad III.
Nargis Khaton (1508-1574) was a influential Mughal empress and the chief consort of Emperor Humayun. She played a crucial role in the restoration of the Mughal Empire and was known for her political acumen and influence.
Nargis Latif (1938-1997) was a renowned Pakistani writer and playwright. She was awarded the Pride of Performance, one of Pakistan's highest civilian honors, for her contributions to literature and drama.
While the name Nargis has its origins in Persian culture, it has transcended borders and gained popularity in various parts of the world, particularly in South Asia and the Middle East, where it is often associated with beauty, grace, and elegance.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Nargis over time
The chart below shows babies named Nargis registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1997 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 Nargis, the clearest high point is 2008. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2023, compared with 8 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Nargis by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Nargis 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 | #5166 | 7 | 2 |
| 2010s | #4999 | 20 | 5 |
| 2000s | #3993 | 32 | 7 |
| 1990s | #3857 | 9 | 3 |
Related
Names similar to Nargis
- Niamh 20,347
- Nicole 19,687
- Natasha 15,578
- Nancy 12,607
- Naomi 12,199
- Natalie 10,885
- Nevaeh 7,869
- Nina 7,285
- Neve 7,180
- Natalia 7,099
- Nadia 6,032
- Nicola 4,927
FAQ
Nargis: questions and answers
How popular is the name Nargis in the UK right now?
In 2023, Nargis was ranked #5687 for girls in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Nargis most popular?
The peak year on record was 2008, with 8 babies registered as Nargis in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Nargis?
A feminine name of Persian origin meaning "daffodil" or "narcissus" flower.
How many people are called Nargis in the UK?
A total of 68 babies have been registered as Nargis across the 17 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.