UK boy's name
Nihaan
A masculine name of Indian origin meaning "beloved child" or "heir".
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.
Nihaan is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Nihaan popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #5119, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2022, with 4 births.
This profile covers 16 England and Wales registrations across 5 recorded years from 2018 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 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 Nihaan. 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
- • Nihaan ranked #5119 for boys in England and Wales in 2024, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2022, when 4 boys were registered as Nihaan.
- • About 16 living people in the UK are estimated to have Nihaan as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#5119
2024
Births in 2024
3
Latest year
Peak year
2022
4 births
Estimated living
16
2026
Meaning
What does Nihaan mean?
The name Nihaan is of Sanskrit origin and is believed to have originated in ancient India. The name is derived from the Sanskrit words "ni" meaning "down" or "below" and "haan" meaning "to strike" or "to kill". The literal meaning of the name Nihaan is "to strike down" or "to conquer".
The name Nihaan has a strong connection to ancient Indian mythology and literature. It is mentioned in the Hindu epic Mahabharata, where it is the name of a powerful warrior and archer. In the epic, Nihaan is known for his exceptional archery skills and his ability to strike down his enemies with precision.
One of the earliest recorded examples of the name Nihaan dates back to the 5th century BCE, when it was used by a famous Indian warrior and military leader. This warrior, known as Nihaan the Conqueror, is said to have led his army to victory in many battles and conquered vast territories.
Throughout history, the name Nihaan has been associated with strength, courage, and military prowess. In the 12th century, there was a renowned Indian ruler named Nihaan Deva who was known for his bravery and leadership skills. He expanded his kingdom and defended it against invaders, earning him the title of "the Warrior King".
Another notable figure with the name Nihaan was a 16th-century Indian poet and philosopher named Nihaan Das. He was known for his spiritual teachings and his devotional poetry, which explored themes of love, devotion, and the divine.
In the 18th century, there was a famous Indian wrestler and martial artist named Nihaan Singh. He was renowned for his exceptional physical strength and his mastery of various wrestling techniques. Nihaan Singh's legacy as a skilled wrestler and warrior has been passed down through generations.
The name Nihaan continues to be used in various parts of India, particularly in the northern regions. While it is not as common as some other Indian names, it retains its historical significance and association with strength, courage, and a warrior spirit.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Nihaan over time
The chart below shows babies named Nihaan registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2018 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 Nihaan, the clearest high point is 2022. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2024, compared with 4 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Nihaan by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Nihaan 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 | #4704 | 10 | 3 |
| 2010s | #4726 | 6 | 2 |
Related
Names similar to Nihaan
- 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
Nihaan: questions and answers
How popular is the name Nihaan in the UK right now?
In 2024, Nihaan was ranked #5119 for boys in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Nihaan most popular?
The peak year on record was 2022, with 4 babies registered as Nihaan in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Nihaan?
A masculine name of Indian origin meaning "beloved child" or "heir".
How many people are called Nihaan in the UK?
A total of 16 babies have been registered as Nihaan 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.