UK girl's name
Noorjahan
A feminine name of Persian origin meaning "light of the world".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2017. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Noorjahan is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Noorjahan popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2017 in this profile. In that release it ranked #5765, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 1999, with 4 births.
This profile covers 22 England and Wales registrations across 7 recorded years from 1999 to 2017. 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 22 living people in the UK are called Noorjahan. 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 2018 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Noorjahan ranked #5765 for girls in England and Wales in 2017, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 1999, when 4 girls were registered as Noorjahan.
- • About 22 living people in the UK are estimated to have Noorjahan as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#5765
2017
Births in 2017
3
Latest year
Peak year
1999
4 births
Estimated living
22
2026
Meaning
What does Noorjahan mean?
Noorjahan is a name with roots in the Persian language, originating during the era of the Mughal Empire in the Indian subcontinent. The name itself is derived from the Persian words "noor," meaning light, and "jahan," meaning world or universe. Thus, the literal translation of Noorjahan is "Light of the World."
The name gained widespread recognition and historical significance due to its association with Nur Jahan, the renowned empress consort of the Mughal Emperor Jahangir. Born in 1577 as Mehr-un-Nisa, she was known for her exceptional beauty, intelligence, and political acumen. After marrying Jahangir in 1611, she adopted the name Noorjahan, reflecting her elevated status and influence within the Mughal court.
Noorjahan, the empress, played a crucial role in the administration and affairs of the Mughal Empire during her husband's reign (1605-1627). She was an avid patron of the arts, architecture, and literature, and her influence extended beyond the imperial household. Her name has been immortalized in historical accounts, poetry, and architectural marvels, such as the Tomb of Anarkali in Lahore, which is believed to have been commissioned by her.
Beyond the famous Mughal empress, the name Noorjahan has been borne by several other notable figures throughout history. One such individual was Noorjahan Begum (1892-1967), an Indian poet and writer from Lucknow, known for her contributions to Urdu literature. Her works, such as "Guldasta-e-Nasim" and "Guldasta-e-Rahat," were widely acclaimed and celebrated.
Another prominent figure was Noorjahan Khatun (1766-1800), a Mughal princess and the daughter of Shah Alam II, the 16th Mughal Emperor. She played a significant role in the turbulent political landscape of the late 18th century and was known for her courage and resilience during the decline of the Mughal Empire.
Additionally, Noorjahan Jinnah (1892-1967) was the wife of Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the founder of Pakistan. She was actively involved in the struggle for Pakistan's independence and played a crucial role in the formation of the All India Muslim League Women's Subcommittee.
The name Noorjahan has also found its way into literature and folklore. In the epic Persian poem "Shahnameh" by Ferdowsi, a character named Noorjahan is mentioned, though the details surrounding her significance are unclear.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Noorjahan over time
The chart below shows babies named Noorjahan registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1999 to 2017. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Noorjahan, the clearest high point is 1999. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2017, compared with 4 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Noorjahan by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Noorjahan 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 | #5760 | 9 | 3 |
| 2000s | #4477 | 9 | 3 |
| 1990s | #3225 | 4 | 1 |
Related
Names similar to Noorjahan
- Niamh 20,347
- Nicole 19,687
- Natasha 15,578
- Nancy 12,607
- Naomi 12,199
- Natalie 10,885
- Nevaeh 7,869
- Nina 7,285
- Neve 7,180
- Natalia 7,099
- Nadia 6,032
- Nicola 4,927
FAQ
Noorjahan: questions and answers
How popular is the name Noorjahan in the UK right now?
In 2017, Noorjahan was ranked #5765 for girls in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Noorjahan most popular?
The peak year on record was 1999, with 4 babies registered as Noorjahan in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Noorjahan?
A feminine name of Persian origin meaning "light of the world".
How many people are called Noorjahan in the UK?
A total of 22 babies have been registered as Noorjahan across the 7 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.