UK name, mostly boys
Nihad
An Arabic feminine name meaning "longing" or "desire".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2015. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Also recorded as a girls' name in the UK, with 6 girls.
Nihad is mostly registered for boys in the UK records. People looking for Nihad popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2015 in this profile. In that release it ranked #3908, with 4 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2015, with 4 births.
This profile covers 13 England and Wales registrations across 4 recorded years from 2004 to 2015. 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.
Nihad is at its recorded peak in the England and Wales series.
We estimate that about 13 living people in the UK are called Nihad. 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 2016 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Nihad ranked #3908 for boys in England and Wales in 2015, with 4 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2015, when 4 boys were registered as Nihad.
- • Nihad is also recorded for girls, but the boys side is the larger UK variant in these records.
- • About 13 living people in the UK are estimated to have Nihad as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
- • Across the England and Wales records shown here, 68.4% of Nihad registrations are for boys.
Latest rank (E&W)
#3908
2015
Births in 2015
4
Latest year
Peak year
2015
4 births
Estimated living
13
2026
Gender
Boy and girl registrations for Nihad
In England and Wales birth records, Nihad has been registered for both boys and girls. Across the years shown here, 68.4% of registrations are for boys and 31.6% are for girls.
These figures use the sex categories in the published baby-name files. They are useful for spotting how the name is used at registration, but they are not a live measure of gender identity or everyone living with the name today.
Nihad registered for boys
- Ranked #3,908 in 2015
- 4 boys registered in 2015
- Peak: 2015 (4 births)
Nihad registered for girls
- Ranked #5,742 in 2013
- 3 girls registered in 2013
- Peak: 2006 (3 births)
Meaning
What does Nihad mean?
The name Nihad has its origins in the Arabic language and culture, with roots tracing back to the Middle Ages. It is derived from the Arabic word "nihad," which means "striving" or "endeavor." This name was often given to babies with the hope that they would grow up to be individuals who strive for success and excellence in their pursuits.
One of the earliest recorded references to the name Nihad can be found in the works of renowned Arab poets and scholars from the 9th and 10th centuries. It is believed that during this time, the name gained popularity among the intellectual and literary circles of the Islamic world.
Throughout history, several notable figures have borne the name Nihad. One such individual was Nihad al-Ani (1911-1988), an Iraqi artist renowned for his pioneering work in the field of modern Arab art. His vibrant paintings and sculptures, which often depicted scenes from everyday life in Iraq, have left an indelible mark on the artistic landscape of the region.
Another prominent figure with the name Nihad was Nihad Dandan (1929-2007), a Syrian playwright and theater director. He was widely acclaimed for his contributions to the development of modern Arabic theater, and his plays tackled social and political issues with a unique blend of humor and poignancy.
In the realm of literature, Nihad Sirees (born 1950) is a Syrian novelist and screenwriter whose works have been translated into numerous languages. His novels, such as "The Silence and the Roar" and "The Illustrious Words," have garnered critical acclaim for their exploration of themes like oppression, censorship, and the human condition.
The name Nihad has also been associated with figures in the field of sports. Nihad Dević (1949-2000) was a Bosnian football player and manager who played for several clubs in Yugoslavia and represented the Yugoslavian national team in the 1970s.
Lastly, Nihad Masri (born 1953) is a Palestinian-American academic and author who has made significant contributions to the study of Middle Eastern literature and culture. Her works have shed light on the experiences of Palestinian diaspora communities and the complexities of identity in the modern world.
These are just a few examples of the notable individuals who have carried the name Nihad throughout history, each leaving their mark in their respective fields and contributing to the rich tapestry of human experience.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Nihad over time
The chart below compares boys and girls registered as Nihad in England and Wales, from 2004 to 2015. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Nihad, the clearest high point is 2015. The latest England and Wales figure is 4 births in 2015, compared with 4 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Nihad by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Nihad 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 | #3908 | 4 | 1 |
| 2000s | #4045 | 9 | 3 |
Related
Names similar to Nihad
- 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
Nihad: questions and answers
How popular is the name Nihad in the UK right now?
In 2015, Nihad was ranked #3908 for boys in England and Wales, with 4 births registered.
When was Nihad most popular?
The peak year on record was 2015, with 4 babies registered as Nihad in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Nihad?
An Arabic feminine name meaning "longing" or "desire".
How many people are called Nihad in the UK?
A total of 13 babies have been registered as Nihad across the 4 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.