UK boy's name
Saheb
A masculine Indian name meaning lord or master.
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2019. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Saheb is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Saheb popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2019 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4702, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2002, with 3 births.
This profile covers 15 England and Wales registrations across 5 recorded years from 2002 to 2019. 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 15 living people in the UK are called Saheb. 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 2020 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Saheb ranked #4702 for boys in England and Wales in 2019, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2002, when 3 boys were registered as Saheb.
- • About 15 living people in the UK are estimated to have Saheb as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#4702
2019
Births in 2019
3
Latest year
Peak year
2002
3 births
Estimated living
15
2026
Meaning
What does Saheb mean?
The name Saheb originated from the Persian language and was initially used as a title of respect and honor. It is derived from the Persian word "ṣāḥib," meaning "owner," "master," or "lord." The name gained popularity during the Islamic Golden Age, particularly in the Middle East and Central Asia, where Persian culture and language had a significant influence.
One of the earliest recorded uses of the name Saheb can be found in Persian literature from the 9th and 10th centuries. It was often used as a title for rulers, nobles, and prominent figures in society. The name also appeared in various Islamic texts, including the Quran and Hadith, where it was used to refer to individuals of high status or authority.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Saheb. One of the most famous was Saheb Ibn Abbad (1083-1145), a renowned Arab poet and writer who lived during the Almoravid and Almohad dynasties in Spain and North Africa. Another prominent figure was Saheb al-Din Ghori (1149-1206), a Muslim ruler who established the Delhi Sultanate and played a crucial role in the spread of Islam in the Indian subcontinent.
In the 16th century, Saheb Anga (1554-1628), a Muslim poet and mystic from Bengal, gained recognition for his contributions to the development of Bengali literature. During the Mughal Empire, Saheb Qiran (1542-1605), also known as Akbar the Great, was a renowned emperor known for his religious tolerance and cultural achievements.
In more recent times, Saheb Jaan (1902-1972), an Indian classical vocalist and musician, was highly acclaimed for his contributions to Hindustani classical music. He was awarded the Padma Bhushan, one of India's highest civilian honors, in 1971.
These are just a few examples of the many notable individuals throughout history who have borne the name Saheb, reflecting its significance and widespread use across various cultures and regions influenced by Persian language and traditions.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Saheb over time
The chart below shows babies named Saheb registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2002 to 2019. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Saheb, the clearest high point is 2002. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2019, compared with 3 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Saheb by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Saheb 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | #4768 | 12 | 4 |
| 2000s | #3225 | 3 | 1 |
Related
Names similar to Saheb
- Samuel 108,505
- Sebastian 33,008
- Sam 20,889
- Stanley 16,354
- Sonny 15,028
- Sean 15,006
- Scott 12,587
- Seth 9,841
- Syed 9,050
- Stephen 8,884
- Spencer 8,333
- Steven 6,970
FAQ
Saheb: questions and answers
How popular is the name Saheb in the UK right now?
In 2019, Saheb was ranked #4702 for boys in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Saheb most popular?
The peak year on record was 2002, with 3 babies registered as Saheb in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Saheb?
A masculine Indian name meaning lord or master.
How many people are called Saheb in the UK?
A total of 15 babies have been registered as Saheb across the 5 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.