NameCensus.

UK name, mostly boys

Sen

A unisex name of Japanese origin meaning "apricot" or "humble".

For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2011. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.

Also recorded as a girls' name in the UK, with 6 girls.

Sen is mostly registered for boys in the UK records. People looking for Sen popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2011 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4647, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2007, with 3 births.

This profile covers 6 England and Wales registrations across 2 recorded years from 2007 to 2011. 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 Sen. 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 2012 or 2026.

Key insights

  • Sen ranked #4647 for boys in England and Wales in 2011, with 3 registrations.
  • The name peaked in 2007, when 3 boys were registered as Sen.
  • Sen is also recorded for girls, but the boys side is the larger UK variant in these records.
  • About 6 living people in the UK are estimated to have Sen as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
  • Across the England and Wales records shown here, 50.0% of Sen registrations are for boys.

Latest rank (E&W)

#4647

2011

Births in 2011

3

Latest year

Peak year

2007

3 births

Estimated living

6

2026

Gender

Boy and girl registrations for Sen

In England and Wales birth records, Sen has been registered for both boys and girls. Across the years shown here, 50.0% of registrations are for boys and 50.0% 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.

50% boys
50% girls
Boys6 (50.0%)Girls6 (50.0%)

Sen registered for boys

  • Ranked #4,647 in 2011
  • 3 boys registered in 2011
  • Peak: 2007 (3 births)

Sen registered for girls

  • Ranked #5,545 in 2008
  • 3 girls registered in 2008
  • Peak: 2006 (3 births)

Meaning

What does Sen mean?

The name Sen has its origins in several cultures and languages, with varying meanings and historical references.

In Sanskrit, the ancient language of the Indian subcontinent, Sen is derived from the word "Sena," meaning "army" or "warrior." This name was commonly given to males in ancient India and has been found in several Hindu scriptures and texts, such as the Mahabharata and the Puranas.

One of the earliest recorded individuals with the name Sen was Sen Gupta, a renowned Indian mathematician and astronomer who lived in the 7th century CE. He made significant contributions to the field of mathematics and is credited with introducing the concept of zero to the world.

In Japanese culture, the name Sen can be written using different kanji characters, each with its own meaning. One interpretation is "先," which means "before" or "ahead," signifying a pioneering spirit or leadership qualities. Another kanji rendering, "千," means "thousand," symbolizing abundance or prosperity.

Sen no Rikyu (1522-1591) was a renowned Japanese tea master who played a crucial role in the development and popularization of the Japanese tea ceremony. His teachings and philosophy influenced the art of tea significantly and continue to be revered in Japan.

In Chinese, the name Sen can be written as "森" or "森林," which translates to "forest" or "woods." This could represent a connection to nature or a sense of growth and abundance.

Sen Tsan (598-665 CE) was a Chinese Buddhist monk and scholar who is best known for his work on the Heart Sutra, one of the most influential texts in Mahayana Buddhism. He is regarded as a significant figure in the history of Chinese Buddhism.

In Korean culture, the name Sen can be written as "선," which means "virtuous" or "good." It is often associated with the Confucian ideals of morality and righteousness.

Sen Duk-su (1917-1994) was a renowned South Korean independence activist who fought against Japanese colonial rule. He played a crucial role in the Korean independence movement and was later recognized as a national hero in South Korea.

While these are just a few examples, the name Sen has been carried by many notable individuals throughout history, each contributing to their respective fields and cultures.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

Popularity

Sen over time

The chart below compares boys and girls registered as Sen in England and Wales, from 2006 to 2011. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.

For Sen, the clearest high point is 2007. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2011, compared with 3 at the peak.

Babies born per year

BoysGirls
01223200620082011

Decades

Sen by decade

Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Sen 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 #4647 3 1
2000s #4333 3 1

Related

Names similar to Sen

FAQ

Sen: questions and answers

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

In 2011, Sen was ranked #4647 for boys in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.

When was Sen most popular?

The peak year on record was 2007, with 3 babies registered as Sen in England and Wales.

What is the meaning and origin of Sen?

A unisex name of Japanese origin meaning "apricot" or "humble".

How many people are called Sen in the UK?

A total of 6 babies have been registered as Sen 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.