UK name, mostly boys
Sahib
An Arabic masculine name meaning lord or master.
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.
Sahib is mostly registered for boys in the UK records. People looking for Sahib popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #711, with 50 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2018, with 54 births.
This profile covers 867 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 93% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 864 living people in the UK are called Sahib. 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
- • Sahib ranked #711 for boys in England and Wales in 2024, with 50 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2018, when 54 boys were registered as Sahib.
- • Sahib ranks best in Scotland in the latest published regional snapshot for that area, where it placed #680 in 2014.
- • About 864 living people in the UK are estimated to have Sahib as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
- • Across the England and Wales records shown here, 89.5% of Sahib registrations are for boys.
Latest rank (E&W)
#711
2024
Births in 2024
50
Latest year
Peak year
2018
54 births
Estimated living
864
2026
Gender
Boy and girl registrations for Sahib
In England and Wales birth records, Sahib has been registered for both boys and girls. Across the years shown here, 89.5% of registrations are for boys and 10.5% 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.
Sahib registered for boys
- Ranked #711 in 2024
- 50 boys registered in 2024
- Peak: 2018 (54 births)
Sahib registered for girls
- Ranked #2,411 in 2024
- 11 girls registered in 2024
- Peak: 2023 (15 births)
Meaning
What does Sahib mean?
The name Sahib originates from the Arabic language and is derived from the word "sahib," which means "friend" or "companion." Its roots can be traced back to the 7th century CE, during the time of the Prophet Muhammad and the early days of Islam.
The name gained prominence in the Islamic world, particularly in regions where Arabic was the predominant language or where Islamic culture had a significant influence. It was often used as a title of respect, particularly when addressing someone of high social standing or authority.
In the Indian subcontinent, the word "sahib" was adopted during the Mughal Empire, which ruled from the 16th to the 19th century. It was used as a term of respect for individuals of high status, such as nobles, officials, or Europeans during the British colonial period.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Sahib can be found in the Qur'an, the holy book of Islam. The word "sahib" is mentioned several times in various contexts, often referring to companions or associates.
Throughout history, there have been several notable figures who bore the name Sahib or variations of it. One such individual was Sahib ibn Abbad, an Arab poet and writer who lived during the 10th century CE and was known for his contributions to Arabic literature.
Another notable figure was Sahib al-Suma, a prominent Muslim scholar and theologian from the 9th century CE. He was renowned for his expertise in Islamic jurisprudence and played a significant role in the development of Sunni Islamic thought.
In the Indian subcontinent, one of the most famous individuals with the name Sahib was Sahib Divan, a renowned 17th-century Punjabi poet and mystic. His works, which were written in the Punjabi language, explored themes of spirituality and devotion.
During the Ottoman Empire, Sahib I Giray was a prominent Crimean Khan who ruled from 1532 to 1551. He played a crucial role in the expansion and consolidation of the Crimean Khanate's power in the region.
In more recent times, Sahib Shihab was an influential Iraqi poet and writer of the 20th century. He was known for his contributions to modern Arabic literature and his socio-political commentary through his works.
While these are just a few examples, the name Sahib has been carried by individuals from various walks of life throughout history, reflecting its enduring presence and significance across different cultures and regions.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Sahib over time
The chart below compares boys and girls registered as Sahib 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 Sahib, the clearest high point is 2018. The latest England and Wales figure is 50 births in 2024, compared with 54 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Sahib by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Sahib 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 | #833 | 197 | 5 |
| 2010s | #746 | 445 | 10 |
| 2000s | #1059 | 200 | 10 |
| 1990s | #1873 | 25 | 4 |
Geography
Where Sahib is most common
The bars show the latest published local birth counts for Sahib. 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.
Sahib ranks best in Scotland in the latest published regional snapshot for that area, where it placed #680 in 2014.
Across the UK
Sahib in Scotland and Northern Ireland
Scotland (NRS)
#680 in 2014
1 years of NRS records, 3 total registered
Related
Names similar to Sahib
- 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
Sahib: questions and answers
How popular is the name Sahib in the UK right now?
In 2024, Sahib was ranked #711 for boys in England and Wales, with 50 births registered.
When was Sahib most popular?
The peak year on record was 2018, with 54 babies registered as Sahib in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Sahib?
An Arabic masculine name meaning lord or master.
How many people are called Sahib in the UK?
A total of 867 babies have been registered as Sahib across the 29 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here, plus 3 more in Scotland.
Where is Sahib most common?
In the latest published local rankings, Sahib ranks best in Scotland, where it placed #680 in 2014. 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.