UK boy's name
Rushan
A masculine name of Persian origin meaning "bright" or "luminous".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2022. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Rushan is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Rushan popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2022 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4789, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 1996, with 3 births.
This profile covers 6 England and Wales registrations across 2 recorded years from 1996 to 2022. 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 100% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 6 living people in the UK are called Rushan. 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 2023 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Rushan ranked #4789 for boys in England and Wales in 2022, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 1996, when 3 boys were registered as Rushan.
- • About 6 living people in the UK are estimated to have Rushan as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#4789
2022
Births in 2022
3
Latest year
Peak year
1996
3 births
Estimated living
6
2026
Meaning
What does Rushan mean?
The name Rushan has its origins in the Persian language and culture, dating back to ancient times. It is derived from the Persian word "roshan," which means "light" or "bright." The name is often associated with qualities such as radiance, enlightenment, and clarity.
In Persian literature and mythology, the name Rushan is sometimes used as a metaphor for knowledge, wisdom, and spiritual illumination. It is believed to have been popular among the ancient Persian nobility and intellectual elite.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Rushan can be found in the writings of the renowned Persian poet Ferdowsi, who lived in the late 10th and early 11th centuries. In his epic poem, the Shahnameh (Book of Kings), Ferdowsi mentions a character named Rushan, though the details of this character are not widely known.
Throughout history, there have been several notable individuals who bore the name Rushan. One of the most famous was Rushan Ara Begum (1613-1681), a Mughal princess and the daughter of Emperor Shah Jahan, the builder of the Taj Mahal. She was known for her intelligence, beauty, and patronage of the arts.
Another historical figure with the name Rushan was Rushan Khan (1648-1711), a Mughal nobleman and military commander who served under Emperor Aurangzeb. He was renowned for his bravery and strategic skills on the battlefield.
In the 19th century, Rushan Ali Khan (1835-1892) was a prominent Indian Muslim leader and reformer. He worked tirelessly to promote education and social reform within the Muslim community.
Rushan Idris (1939-1987) was a renowned Kurdish writer and intellectual from Iraq. He played a significant role in preserving and promoting Kurdish language and literature, and his works are widely studied and celebrated.
Another notable figure with the name Rushan was Rushan Ara Alvi (1942-2014), a Pakistani painter and artist. She was best known for her vibrant and colorful depictions of Pakistani culture and landscapes.
While the name Rushan has ancient roots in Persian culture, it has transcended borders and gained popularity in various regions and communities over the centuries. Its association with light, knowledge, and enlightenment has made it a revered and respected name across different cultures and traditions.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Rushan over time
The chart below shows babies named Rushan registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1996 to 2022. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Rushan, the clearest high point is 1996. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2022, compared with 3 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Rushan by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Rushan 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 |
| 1990s | #2863 | 3 | 1 |
Related
Names similar to Rushan
- Ryan 68,692
- Riley 37,992
- Robert 27,462
- Reuben 25,122
- Rhys 24,418
- Reece 24,329
- Rory 21,870
- Roman 16,609
- Ronnie 16,445
- Reggie 14,684
- Rowan 14,371
- Ralph 8,892
FAQ
Rushan: questions and answers
How popular is the name Rushan in the UK right now?
In 2022, Rushan was ranked #4789 for boys in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Rushan most popular?
The peak year on record was 1996, with 3 babies registered as Rushan in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Rushan?
A masculine name of Persian origin meaning "bright" or "luminous".
How many people are called Rushan in the UK?
A total of 6 babies have been registered as Rushan across the 2 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.