UK girl's name
Poet
A masculine name derived from the English word for a literary artist or writer of poems.
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2023. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Poet is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Poet popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2023 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4056, with 5 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2023, with 5 births.
This profile covers 11 England and Wales registrations across 3 recorded years from 2021 to 2023. 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.
Poet is at its recorded peak in the England and Wales series.
We estimate that about 11 living people in the UK are called Poet. 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 2024 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Poet ranked #4056 for girls in England and Wales in 2023, with 5 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2023, when 5 girls were registered as Poet.
- • About 11 living people in the UK are estimated to have Poet as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#4056
2023
Births in 2023
5
Latest year
Peak year
2023
5 births
Estimated living
11
2026
Meaning
What does Poet mean?
The name Poet is a relatively modern name, originating from the English language in the late 18th century. It is derived from the word "poet," which comes from the ancient Greek word "poietes," meaning "maker" or "creator." The name reflects a connection to the art of poetry and creative expression.
One of the earliest recorded uses of the name Poet can be found in the works of the English Romantic poet William Wordsworth, who was born in 1770. In his poem "The Prelude," Wordsworth refers to himself as a "Poet" and celebrates the role of the poet in capturing the beauty and spirit of nature.
Another notable figure with the name Poet was Poet Laureate Robert Southey, who lived from 1774 to 1843. Southey was appointed as the official Poet Laureate of Great Britain in 1813 and held the position until his death. His works, such as "The Curse of Kehama" and "Thalaba the Destroyer," reflected his interest in mythology and legends.
The name Poet also made an appearance in the works of the American transcendentalist writer Ralph Waldo Emerson. In his essay "The Poet," published in 1844, Emerson explored the role and importance of the poet in society, stating that "the poet is the sayer, the namer, and represents beauty."
In the 20th century, the name Poet gained some popularity, particularly among individuals with a connection to the arts and literature. One notable figure was Poet Lee Young, an American poet and educator who lived from 1914 to 2005. Young was known for his poems that celebrated African American culture and history.
Another individual with the name Poet was Poet James Merrill, an American poet and novelist who lived from 1926 to 1995. Merrill's works, such as "The Changing Light at Sandover" and "Divine Comedies," explored themes of spirituality, mythology, and the human experience.
While the name Poet is not as common as some other names, it carries a unique and meaningful connection to the world of poetry and creative expression. Its usage throughout history reflects the enduring appreciation for the art of language and the power of the written word.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Poet over time
The chart below shows babies named Poet registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2021 to 2023. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Poet, the clearest high point is 2023. The latest England and Wales figure is 5 births in 2023, compared with 5 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Poet by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Poet 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 | #5102 | 11 | 3 |
Related
Names similar to Poet
- Poppy 52,802
- Phoebe 47,609
- Paige 24,717
- Penelope 13,109
- Pippa 6,346
- Polly 5,678
- Philippa 4,446
- Penny 4,394
- Paris 4,372
- Piper 3,961
- Pearl 3,516
- Paisley 3,419
FAQ
Poet: questions and answers
How popular is the name Poet in the UK right now?
In 2023, Poet was ranked #4056 for girls in England and Wales, with 5 births registered.
When was Poet most popular?
The peak year on record was 2023, with 5 babies registered as Poet in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Poet?
A masculine name derived from the English word for a literary artist or writer of poems.
How many people are called Poet in the UK?
A total of 11 babies have been registered as Poet across the 3 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.