UK boy's name
Shahab
A masculine Arabic name meaning "bright meteor" or "shooting star".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2020. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Shahab is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Shahab popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2020 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4608, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2006, with 7 births.
This profile covers 46 England and Wales registrations across 12 recorded years from 1997 to 2020. 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 Shahab. 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 2021 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Shahab ranked #4608 for boys in England and Wales in 2020, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2006, when 7 boys were registered as Shahab.
- • About 46 living people in the UK are estimated to have Shahab as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#4608
2020
Births in 2020
3
Latest year
Peak year
2006
7 births
Estimated living
46
2026
Meaning
What does Shahab mean?
The name Shahab originates from the Persian language and has its roots in the ancient Iranian culture. It is derived from the Persian word "shah-ab," which means "water of the king" or "royal water." The name is closely associated with the concept of purity, clarity, and nobility.
In ancient Persian mythology, Shahab was often used to describe the radiance and brilliance of celestial bodies, such as stars and planets. It was believed that these celestial objects were sources of divine energy and inspiration, and the name Shahab was a way to honor their significance.
One of the earliest recorded references to the name Shahab can be found in the Shahnameh, the epic Persian poem written by the renowned poet Ferdowsi in the late 10th and early 11th centuries. In this literary masterpiece, Shahab is mentioned as the name of a legendary warrior and hero.
Throughout history, several notable figures have borne the name Shahab. One of the most famous was Shahab al-Din Suhrawardi, a Persian philosopher and mystic who lived from 1154 to 1191. He is considered a prominent figure in the development of Islamic philosophy and Sufism.
Another notable bearer of the name was Shahab al-Din Yahya al-Suhrawardi, a 12th-century Persian Sufi master and founder of the Suhrawardiyya order of Sufism. His teachings and writings had a profound impact on the spiritual and intellectual traditions of the region.
In the realm of science, Shahab al-Din al-Suhrawardi, a 16th-century Persian astronomer and mathematician, made significant contributions to the study of astronomy and the development of mathematical instruments.
The name Shahab also has a connection to the Islamic faith. One of the companions of the Prophet Muhammad was known as Shahab ibn Abi Sufyan, who embraced Islam and participated in several important battles during the early days of the religion.
Another historical figure with the name Shahab was Shahab al-Din Muhammad Ghuri, a 12th-century Sultan of the Ghurid Empire, who ruled over parts of modern-day Afghanistan, Pakistan, and northern India. He is particularly remembered for his military campaigns and conquests in the region.
While the name Shahab has its origins in the Persian language and culture, it has also gained popularity in other parts of the world, especially in regions with strong Islamic influences or Persian cultural heritage.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Shahab over time
The chart below shows babies named Shahab registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1997 to 2020. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Shahab, the clearest high point is 2006. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2020, compared with 7 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Shahab by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Shahab 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 | #4608 | 3 | 1 |
| 2010s | #4176 | 11 | 3 |
| 2000s | #3348 | 25 | 6 |
| 1990s | #2619 | 7 | 2 |
Related
Names similar to Shahab
- 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
Shahab: questions and answers
How popular is the name Shahab in the UK right now?
In 2020, Shahab was ranked #4608 for boys in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Shahab most popular?
The peak year on record was 2006, with 7 babies registered as Shahab in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Shahab?
A masculine Arabic name meaning "bright meteor" or "shooting star".
How many people are called Shahab in the UK?
A total of 46 babies have been registered as Shahab across the 12 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.