UK boy's name
Semih
A Turkish masculine name meaning "generous" or "magnanimous".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2023. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Semih is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Semih popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2023 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4991, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2008, with 7 births.
This profile covers 46 England and Wales registrations across 11 recorded years from 1997 to 2023. 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 43% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 46 living people in the UK are called Semih. 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 2024 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Semih ranked #4991 for boys in England and Wales in 2023, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2008, when 7 boys were registered as Semih.
- • About 46 living people in the UK are estimated to have Semih as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#4991
2023
Births in 2023
3
Latest year
Peak year
2008
7 births
Estimated living
46
2026
Meaning
What does Semih mean?
The name Semih originates from the Turkish language and culture. It is believed to have derived from the Persian word "Semih," which means "celestial" or "heavenly." The name's roots can be traced back to the Middle Ages, when the Persian language and culture had a significant influence on the region that is now modern-day Turkey.
One of the earliest recorded uses of the name Semih can be found in the "Divan-i Hikmet," a collection of poems written by the renowned Sufi mystic and poet Rumi in the 13th century. In one of his poems, Rumi refers to a character named Semih, suggesting that the name was in use during that time.
Throughout history, several notable figures have borne the name Semih. One of the most famous was Semih Tenzile (1222-1292), a Turkish poet and scholar who lived during the Seljuk Empire. His works, which primarily focused on Sufism and spirituality, have been widely studied and celebrated in the centuries since his death.
Another prominent figure with the name Semih was Semih Münir Ileri (1876-1952), a Turkish writer, journalist, and politician who played a significant role in the early years of the Republic of Turkey. He was known for his literary works, which often explored themes of nationalism and social reform.
In the field of sports, Semih Sarigöllü (born 1989) is a notable Turkish professional basketball player who currently plays for Fenerbahçe Beko in the Turkish Basketball Super League and the EuroLeague. He has also represented the Turkish national basketball team in international competitions.
Semih Erden (born 1986) is another famous Turkish basketball player who has enjoyed a successful career both in Turkey and in the NBA, where he played for the Boston Celtics and the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Semih Kaplanoğlu (born 1963) is a Turkish film director and screenwriter who has gained international recognition for his critically acclaimed films, such as "Away from Home" (2001) and "Honey" (2010). His works often explore themes of identity, tradition, and the human condition.
While the name Semih has its origins in the Persian language and has been in use for centuries, it continues to be a popular choice for Turkish parents, reflecting the rich cultural heritage and diversity of the region.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Semih over time
The chart below shows babies named Semih registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1997 to 2023. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Semih, the clearest high point is 2008. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2023, compared with 7 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Semih by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Semih 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 | #4991 | 3 | 1 |
| 2010s | #4018 | 12 | 3 |
| 2000s | #3191 | 27 | 6 |
| 1990s | #2337 | 4 | 1 |
Related
Names similar to Semih
- 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
Semih: questions and answers
How popular is the name Semih in the UK right now?
In 2023, Semih was ranked #4991 for boys in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Semih most popular?
The peak year on record was 2008, with 7 babies registered as Semih in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Semih?
A Turkish masculine name meaning "generous" or "magnanimous".
How many people are called Semih in the UK?
A total of 46 babies have been registered as Semih across the 11 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.