UK boy's name
Nash
An English surname derived from a place name meaning "by the ash tree" or "ash wood".
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.
Nash is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Nash popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #3254, with 6 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 1998, with 10 births.
This profile covers 122 England and Wales registrations across 26 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.
The latest count is about 60% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 121 living people in the UK are called Nash. 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
- • Nash ranked #3254 for boys in England and Wales in 2024, with 6 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 1998, when 10 boys were registered as Nash.
- • About 121 living people in the UK are estimated to have Nash as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#3254
2024
Births in 2024
6
Latest year
Peak year
1998
10 births
Estimated living
121
2026
Meaning
What does Nash mean?
The name Nash originates from the Old English word "ænesc" or "æsc," which means "ash tree." It has been in use as a given name since the 8th century in England and other parts of the Anglo-Saxon world.
The ash tree held significant importance in ancient Germanic and Norse cultures, symbolizing strength, resilience, and the world tree Yggdrasil in Norse mythology. As a result, the name Nash was often associated with these symbolic meanings.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Nash can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, which was a comprehensive survey of landowners and property in England commissioned by William the Conqueror. The name appears several times, suggesting its widespread use during that period.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Nash. One of the most famous was John Nash (1928-2015), an American mathematician and Nobel Laureate known for his groundbreaking work in game theory and his struggles with schizophrenia, which were portrayed in the film "A Beautiful Mind."
Another prominent individual was Beau Nash (1674-1761), an English entrepreneur and Master of Ceremonies in Bath, England, who played a significant role in establishing Bath as a fashionable resort town in the 18th century.
In the realm of literature, Ogden Nash (1902-1971) was an American poet known for his humorous and witty rhymes, such as "The Cow" and "Candy Is Dandy."
In the world of sports, Steve Nash (born 1974) is a retired Canadian professional basketball player who is considered one of the greatest point guards in NBA history. He was an eight-time NBA All-Star and won two MVP awards.
Another notable figure was Thomas Nash (1567-1647), an English poet and playwright during the Renaissance period, who was known for his contributions to the development of English drama and his collaborations with playwrights like Thomas Dekker.
These are just a few examples of the many individuals throughout history who have carried the name Nash, each contributing to various fields and leaving a lasting legacy.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Nash over time
The chart below shows babies named Nash registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, 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 Nash, the clearest high point is 1998. The latest England and Wales figure is 6 births in 2024, compared with 10 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Nash by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Nash 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 | #4132 | 21 | 5 |
| 2010s | #3880 | 34 | 8 |
| 2000s | #3056 | 43 | 10 |
| 1990s | #1502 | 24 | 3 |
Related
Names similar to Nash
- Noah 72,596
- Nathan 46,860
- Nicholas 15,983
- Nathaniel 12,151
- Niall 5,746
- Nicolas 3,825
- Nico 3,532
- Nate 2,029
- Nikodem 1,872
- Noel 1,865
- Ned 1,614
- Neo 1,563
FAQ
Nash: questions and answers
How popular is the name Nash in the UK right now?
In 2024, Nash was ranked #3254 for boys in England and Wales, with 6 births registered.
When was Nash most popular?
The peak year on record was 1998, with 10 babies registered as Nash in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Nash?
An English surname derived from a place name meaning "by the ash tree" or "ash wood".
How many people are called Nash in the UK?
A total of 122 babies have been registered as Nash across the 26 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.