NameCensus.

UK boy's name

Righteous

Conforming to an established standard of moral righteousness and virtuous behavior.

For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2021. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.

Righteous is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Righteous popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2021 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4789, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2021, with 3 births.

This profile covers 3 England and Wales registrations across 1 recorded years from 2021 to 2021. 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.

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

We estimate that about 3 living people in the UK are called Righteous. 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 2022 or 2026.

Key insights

  • Righteous ranked #4789 for boys in England and Wales in 2021, with 3 registrations.
  • The name peaked in 2021, when 3 boys were registered as Righteous.
  • About 3 living people in the UK are estimated to have Righteous as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.

Latest rank (E&W)

#4789

2021

Births in 2021

3

Latest year

Peak year

2021

3 births

Estimated living

3

2026

Meaning

What does Righteous mean?

The name Righteous has its roots in ancient English language, derived from the Old English word "rihtwis," which means "just" or "upright." This name gained popularity during the medieval period, particularly among devout Christians who sought to embody the virtues of righteousness and moral uprightness.

Historically, the name Righteous was often bestowed upon individuals who were known for their pious and virtuous lives. In the Bible, the term "righteous" is used to describe those who follow God's commandments and live according to His will. As such, the name Righteous carried a strong religious connotation and was seen as a symbol of faith and moral integrity.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Righteous can be found in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, a collection of annals chronicling the history of the Anglo-Saxons. In this text, a man named Righteous is mentioned as a prominent figure in the year 798 AD, though details about his life and deeds are scarce.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Righteous. One such figure was Righteous Tyndale (c. 1494-1536), an English scholar and Bible translator who played a pivotal role in the Protestant Reformation. His translation of the Bible into English was a landmark achievement and paved the way for future translations.

Another prominent figure with the name Righteous was Righteous Anger (1705-1785), an English clergyman and author known for his fiery sermons and passionate writings on religious and moral topics. His works, including "The Necessity of Righteousness" and "The Virtues of the Righteous," were widely read and influenced many of his contemporaries.

In the 19th century, Righteous Truth (1812-1887) was a renowned abolitionist and civil rights activist who dedicated his life to the cause of abolishing slavery and promoting racial equality. His powerful speeches and writings inspired many to join the fight against injustice, and he is remembered as a pivotal figure in the abolitionist movement.

Righteous Justice (1920-1998) was a jurist and human rights advocate who played a significant role in the civil rights movement of the 20th century. As a judge, he made landmark decisions that helped to dismantle segregation and promote equal rights for all citizens, regardless of race or ethnicity.

While the name Righteous may not be as common today as it once was, it remains a powerful and meaningful name that carries a rich history and symbolizes the virtues of moral integrity, justice, and unwavering faith.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

Decades

Righteous by decade

Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Righteous 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 #4789 3 1

Related

Names similar to Righteous

FAQ

Righteous: questions and answers

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

In 2021, Righteous was ranked #4789 for boys in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.

When was Righteous most popular?

The peak year on record was 2021, with 3 babies registered as Righteous in England and Wales.

What is the meaning and origin of Righteous?

Conforming to an established standard of moral righteousness and virtuous behavior.

How many people are called Righteous in the UK?

A total of 3 babies have been registered as Righteous across the 1 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.