NameCensus.

UK boy's name

Nishan

A masculine name of Sanskrit origin meaning "emblem" or "sign".

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.

Nishan is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Nishan popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #2443, with 9 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2009, with 10 births.

This profile covers 142 England and Wales registrations across 25 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 90% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.

We estimate that about 141 living people in the UK are called Nishan. 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

  • Nishan ranked #2443 for boys in England and Wales in 2024, with 9 registrations.
  • The name peaked in 2009, when 10 boys were registered as Nishan.
  • About 141 living people in the UK are estimated to have Nishan as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.

Latest rank (E&W)

#2443

2024

Births in 2024

9

Latest year

Peak year

2009

10 births

Estimated living

141

2026

Meaning

What does Nishan mean?

The name Nishan has its origins in the Persian language and culture, dating back to ancient times. It is derived from the Persian word "nishān," which means "sign," "mark," or "emblem." The name was commonly used in regions where Persian culture and influence were prevalent, such as modern-day Iran, Afghanistan, and parts of Central Asia.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Nishan can be found in the Shahnameh, the epic Persian poem composed by the renowned poet Ferdowsi in the late 10th and early 11th centuries. The name appears in various historical texts and records from the region, indicating its widespread use during the medieval period.

Throughout history, several notable figures have borne the name Nishan. One of the earliest recorded individuals was Nishan-e Raz (1163-1256), a Persian Sufi poet and mystic who lived during the Seljuk Empire. His poetry and writings were highly influential in the development of Persian mystical literature.

Another prominent figure was Nishan Khanjar (1334-1404), a renowned Persian calligrapher and artist who served under the Timurid Empire. His works are celebrated for their exquisite beauty and mastery of the art of calligraphy.

In the 16th century, Nishan Sher Khan (1520-1579) was a notable military commander and ruler who served under the Mughal Empire in India. He played a significant role in the expansion and consolidation of Mughal power in the region.

During the 19th century, Nishan Singh (1832-1894) was a prominent Sikh warrior and military leader who fought against the British East India Company in the Anglo-Sikh Wars. He is revered for his bravery and dedication to the Sikh cause.

In more recent times, Nishan Bhumitra (1925-2019) was a renowned Indian actor and playwright who made significant contributions to the Marathi theatre and film industry. He was widely acclaimed for his performances and received numerous awards and accolades throughout his career.

While the name Nishan has deep roots in Persian culture and history, it has also gained popularity in various regions and cultures over time, transcending its original linguistic and geographic boundaries.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

Popularity

Nishan over time

The chart below shows babies named Nishan 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 Nishan, the clearest high point is 2009. The latest England and Wales figure is 9 births in 2024, compared with 10 at the peak.

Babies born per year

Nishan
035810199620102024

Decades

Nishan by decade

Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Nishan 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 #3353 29 5
2010s #3437 53 10
2000s #2438 49 8
1990s #1935 11 2

Related

Names similar to Nishan

FAQ

Nishan: questions and answers

How popular is the name Nishan in the UK right now?

In 2024, Nishan was ranked #2443 for boys in England and Wales, with 9 births registered.

When was Nishan most popular?

The peak year on record was 2009, with 10 babies registered as Nishan in England and Wales.

What is the meaning and origin of Nishan?

A masculine name of Sanskrit origin meaning "emblem" or "sign".

How many people are called Nishan in the UK?

A total of 142 babies have been registered as Nishan across the 25 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.