NameCensus.

UK name, mostly boys

Roshan

A masculine name of Sanskrit origin meaning "light" or "bright".

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.

Roshan is mostly registered for boys in the UK records. People looking for Roshan 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 2007, with 46 births.

This profile covers 793 England and Wales registrations across 29 recorded years from 1996 to 2024. The figures come from ONS England and Wales and NRS Scotland, 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 20% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.

We estimate that about 793 living people in the UK are called Roshan. 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

  • Roshan ranked #2443 for boys in England and Wales in 2024, with 9 registrations.
  • The name peaked in 2007, when 46 boys were registered as Roshan.
  • Roshan ranks best in Scotland in the latest published regional snapshot for that area, where it placed #687 in 2013.
  • About 793 living people in the UK are estimated to have Roshan as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
  • Across the England and Wales records shown here, 95.8% of Roshan registrations are for boys.

Latest rank (E&W)

#2443

2024

Births in 2024

9

Latest year

Peak year

2007

46 births

Estimated living

793

2026

Gender

Boy and girl registrations for Roshan

In England and Wales birth records, Roshan has been registered for both boys and girls. Across the years shown here, 95.8% of registrations are for boys and 4.2% are for girls.

These figures use the sex categories in the published baby-name files. They are useful for spotting how the name is used at registration, but they are not a live measure of gender identity or everyone living with the name today.

96% boys
Boys793 (95.8%)Girls35 (4.2%)

Roshan registered for boys

  • Ranked #2,443 in 2024
  • 9 boys registered in 2024
  • Peak: 2007 (46 births)

Roshan registered for girls

  • Ranked #5,556 in 2009
  • 3 girls registered in 2009
  • Peak: 1996 (5 births)

Meaning

What does Roshan mean?

The name Roshan has its origins in the Persian language and culture, with roots dating back to ancient times. It is derived from the Persian word "roshan," which means "light" or "bright." This name has been popular in regions where Persian influence has been strong, including parts of Central Asia, the Middle East, and the Indian subcontinent.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Roshan can be found in the Avestan texts, the sacred scriptures of Zoroastrianism, an ancient Iranian religion. In these texts, the name is mentioned in the context of divine beings and celestial entities associated with light and illumination.

Throughout history, the name Roshan has been borne by several notable individuals. One of the earliest known figures with this name was Roshan Mirza, a Persian prince and military commander who lived in the 16th century. He played a significant role in the wars between the Safavid and Ottoman empires.

Another prominent figure was Roshan Ara Begum, a Mughal princess and poet who lived in the 17th century. She was known for her exceptional literary talents and contributed to the rich cultural heritage of the Mughal Empire.

In the 19th century, Roshan Khan was a renowned Afghan military leader and statesman who played a crucial role in the struggle against British imperialism. His bravery and strategic acumen earned him a place in the annals of Afghan history.

During the 20th century, Roshan Ara Begum, a Pakistani activist and social worker, dedicated her life to empowering women and promoting education in her country. Her efforts earned her widespread recognition and numerous awards.

More recently, Roshan Mustafa Ghazi was a renowned Pakistani artist and calligrapher who made significant contributions to the art world. His works are celebrated for their intricate designs and mastery of traditional Islamic calligraphic styles.

While the name Roshan has its roots in the Persian language and culture, it has gained popularity across various regions and communities over the centuries. The name's association with light, brightness, and illumination has resonated with people from diverse backgrounds, making it a timeless and meaningful choice for parents.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

Popularity

Roshan over time

The chart below compares boys and girls registered as Roshan in England and Wales, 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 Roshan, the clearest high point is 2007. The latest England and Wales figure is 9 births in 2024, compared with 46 at the peak.

Babies born per year

BoysGirls
012253749199620102024

Decades

Roshan by decade

Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Roshan 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 #1992 59 5
2010s #1074 275 10
2000s #678 360 10
1990s #693 99 4

Geography

Where Roshan is most common

The bars show the latest published local birth counts for Roshan. They are useful for spotting where the name is showing up in real numbers, while the rank beside each bar shows how strongly it performs inside that region.

Roshan ranks best in Scotland in the latest published regional snapshot for that area, where it placed #687 in 2013.

Scotland
3

Across the UK

Roshan in Scotland and Northern Ireland

Scotland (NRS)

#687 in 2013

2 years of NRS records, 6 total registered

Notable bearers

Famous people named Roshan

  • Roshan Ravindran

    physician

    Aesthetic physician

    1981-

  • Roshan Seth

    actor; film actor; stage actor

    British-Indian actor

    1942-

Related

Names similar to Roshan

FAQ

Roshan: questions and answers

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

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

When was Roshan most popular?

The peak year on record was 2007, with 46 babies registered as Roshan in England and Wales.

What is the meaning and origin of Roshan?

A masculine name of Sanskrit origin meaning "light" or "bright".

How many people are called Roshan in the UK?

A total of 793 babies have been registered as Roshan across the 29 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here, plus 6 more in Scotland.

Where is Roshan most common?

In the latest published local rankings, Roshan ranks best in Scotland, where it placed #687 in 2013. The regional bars on this page use birth counts, so they also reflect the size of each region.

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.