UK boy's name
Nishaan
A masculine name of Indian origin meaning "target" or "mark".
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.
Nishaan is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Nishaan popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #3688, with 5 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2017, with 12 births.
This profile covers 158 England and Wales registrations across 22 recorded years from 1996 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 42% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 157 living people in the UK are called Nishaan. 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
- • Nishaan ranked #3688 for boys in England and Wales in 2024, with 5 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2017, when 12 boys were registered as Nishaan.
- • About 157 living people in the UK are estimated to have Nishaan as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#3688
2024
Births in 2024
5
Latest year
Peak year
2017
12 births
Estimated living
157
2026
Meaning
What does Nishaan mean?
The name Nishaan originates from the Persian language and has its roots in the ancient Iranian culture. It is derived from the Persian word "nishān," which means "sign," "mark," or "symbol." This name has been in use since the medieval period in various regions influenced by Persian culture, including parts of Central Asia, South Asia, and the Middle East.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Nishaan can be found in Persian literature from the 13th century. It was used as a name for individuals who were considered to be symbols or representatives of certain virtues or ideals. In some Islamic traditions, the name Nishaan was associated with the concept of divine signs or the recognition of God's presence in the world.
Throughout history, several notable figures have borne the name Nishaan. One of the earliest recorded individuals with this name was Nishaan al-Din (1203-1285), a Persian poet and mystic who lived during the Seljuk Empire. Another prominent figure was Nishaan al-Mulk (1273-1327), a Persian statesman and vizier who served under the Ilkhanid dynasty.
In the Indian subcontinent, the name Nishaan gained popularity during the Mughal period, which was heavily influenced by Persian culture. One of the most famous individuals with this name was Nishaan Singh (1670-1705), a Sikh warrior and military leader who fought against the Mughal Empire in the late 17th century.
Another notable figure was Nishaan Hussain (1857-1939), an Indian author and educator who wrote extensively on Islamic philosophy and literature. He was also one of the founders of the Aligarh Muslim University in British India.
In more recent times, Nishaan Khan (1926-2012) was a renowned Pakistani actor and comedian who was widely acclaimed for his performances in Urdu and Punjabi films and television shows.
While the name Nishaan has its origins in the Persian language and culture, it has been embraced and adapted by various communities across different regions, reflecting the rich cultural exchange and influences that have shaped the diverse naming traditions around the world.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Nishaan over time
The chart below shows babies named Nishaan registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1996 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 Nishaan, the clearest high point is 2017. The latest England and Wales figure is 5 births in 2024, compared with 12 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Nishaan by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Nishaan 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 | #3073 | 37 | 5 |
| 2010s | #2717 | 79 | 10 |
| 2000s | #2541 | 39 | 6 |
| 1990s | #2863 | 3 | 1 |
Related
Names similar to Nishaan
- 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
Nishaan: questions and answers
How popular is the name Nishaan in the UK right now?
In 2024, Nishaan was ranked #3688 for boys in England and Wales, with 5 births registered.
When was Nishaan most popular?
The peak year on record was 2017, with 12 babies registered as Nishaan in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Nishaan?
A masculine name of Indian origin meaning "target" or "mark".
How many people are called Nishaan in the UK?
A total of 158 babies have been registered as Nishaan across the 22 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.