NameCensus.

UK boy's name

Prakash

A masculine Hindu name meaning "light" or "radiance".

For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 1999. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.

Prakash is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Prakash popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 1999 in this profile. In that release it ranked #2097, with 5 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 1999, with 5 births.

This profile covers 12 England and Wales registrations across 3 recorded years from 1997 to 1999. 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.

Prakash is at its recorded peak in the England and Wales series.

We estimate that about 12 living people in the UK are called Prakash. 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 2000 or 2026.

Key insights

  • Prakash ranked #2097 for boys in England and Wales in 1999, with 5 registrations.
  • The name peaked in 1999, when 5 boys were registered as Prakash.
  • About 12 living people in the UK are estimated to have Prakash as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.

Latest rank (E&W)

#2097

1999

Births in 1999

5

Latest year

Peak year

1999

5 births

Estimated living

12

2026

Meaning

What does Prakash mean?

The name Prakash finds its origin in Sanskrit, an ancient Indo-Aryan language that served as the root for many modern languages spoken in the Indian subcontinent. The word "Prakash" literally translates to "light" or "illumination" in Sanskrit, reflecting its association with brightness, knowledge, and enlightenment.

Historically, the name Prakash has been widely used across various regions of the Indian subcontinent, including India, Nepal, and parts of Bangladesh. Its earliest recorded use can be traced back to ancient Hindu scriptures and texts, where it was often used as a metaphor for knowledge, wisdom, and spiritual enlightenment.

In the realm of religious and spiritual texts, the name Prakash has been mentioned in various Hindu scriptures, such as the Vedas and the Upanishads. It was also used to refer to certain deities and spiritual leaders who were revered as sources of light and guidance.

One of the earliest recorded historical figures bearing the name Prakash was Prakash Guru, a renowned spiritual leader and poet who lived in the 16th century. He was a prominent figure in the Bhakti movement and is known for his devotional poetry and teachings that focused on love, compassion, and spiritual awakening.

Another notable figure was Prakash Chandra Sethi, an Indian freedom fighter and revolutionary who played a significant role in India's independence movement against British colonial rule in the early 20th century. He was born in 1888 and actively participated in various protests and civil disobedience campaigns organized by the Indian National Congress.

In the field of literature, Prakash Tandon, an acclaimed Hindi poet and writer, left a lasting mark with his poetic works that explored themes of love, philosophy, and social issues. He was born in 1919 and received numerous awards and accolades for his literary contributions.

Prakash Padukone, born in 1955, is a renowned Indian badminton player who has made a significant impact on the sport. He was the first Indian to win the prestigious All England Open Badminton Championships in 1980 and is widely regarded as one of the greatest badminton players of all time.

Prakash Jha, born in 1952, is a celebrated Indian filmmaker and screenwriter known for his critically acclaimed and thought-provoking films that tackle social and political issues. His body of work includes films like "Damul," "Gangaajal," and "Raajneeti," which have garnered both critical acclaim and commercial success.

The name Prakash continues to be a popular choice for parents in various parts of the Indian subcontinent, carrying with it a sense of enlightenment, wisdom, and the pursuit of knowledge.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

Popularity

Prakash over time

The chart below shows babies named Prakash registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1997 to 1999. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.

For Prakash, the clearest high point is 1999. The latest England and Wales figure is 5 births in 1999, compared with 5 at the peak.

Babies born per year

Prakash
01345199719981999

Decades

Prakash by decade

Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Prakash 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
1990s #2458 12 3

Related

Names similar to Prakash

FAQ

Prakash: questions and answers

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

In 1999, Prakash was ranked #2097 for boys in England and Wales, with 5 births registered.

When was Prakash most popular?

The peak year on record was 1999, with 5 babies registered as Prakash in England and Wales.

What is the meaning and origin of Prakash?

A masculine Hindu name meaning "light" or "radiance".

How many people are called Prakash in the UK?

A total of 12 babies have been registered as Prakash 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.