NameCensus.

UK boy's name

Shahid

A masculine name of Arabic origin meaning "witness" or "martyr".

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.

Shahid is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Shahid popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2023 in this profile. In that release it ranked #3112, with 6 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 1999, with 22 births.

This profile covers 257 England and Wales registrations across 27 recorded years from 1996 to 2023. 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 27% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.

We estimate that about 273 living people in the UK are called Shahid. 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

  • Shahid ranked #3112 for boys in England and Wales in 2023, with 6 registrations.
  • The name peaked in 1999, when 22 boys were registered as Shahid.
  • Shahid ranks best in Scotland in the latest published regional snapshot for that area, where it placed #275 in 1980.
  • About 273 living people in the UK are estimated to have Shahid as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.

Latest rank (E&W)

#3112

2023

Births in 2023

6

Latest year

Peak year

1999

22 births

Estimated living

273

2026

Meaning

What does Shahid mean?

The name Shahid has its origins in the Arabic language and culture. It is derived from the Arabic word "shahid," which means "witness" or "martyr." The name traces its roots back to the earliest days of Islam in the 7th century.

In Islamic tradition, the term "shahid" refers to those who bear witness to their faith and are willing to sacrifice their lives for it. The concept of martyrdom holds a significant place in Islamic theology, and those who attain martyrdom are believed to be granted a special status in the afterlife.

One of the earliest and most renowned individuals to bear the name Shahid was Shahid ibn Jahsh, a companion of the Prophet Muhammad who lived in the 7th century. He was known for his bravery and sacrifices during the early battles of Islam.

Throughout history, the name Shahid has been borne by numerous individuals who have made significant contributions to various fields. In the 11th century, Shahid al-Balkhi was a renowned Persian philosopher and theologian who wrote extensively on Islamic jurisprudence and theology.

In more recent times, Shahid Bhagat Singh (1907-1931) was a prominent revolutionary in the Indian independence movement against British colonial rule. His acts of defiance and eventual execution at a young age made him a revered figure in India's struggle for freedom.

Another notable individual was Shahid Qadri (1924-1986), a Pakistani poet and playwright who was widely acclaimed for his literary works and contributions to the Urdu language. His poetry often explored themes of social justice and the human condition.

Shahid Afridi (born 1975) is a famous Pakistani cricketer who played for the national team for over two decades and is renowned for his aggressive batting style and exceptional all-round skills.

Shahid Kapoor (born 1981) is a popular Indian film actor who has starred in numerous Bollywood productions and has received several awards for his performances, including several Filmfare Awards.

These are just a few examples of individuals who have borne the name Shahid throughout history, each making their mark in their respective fields and contributing to the rich tapestry of human experience.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

Popularity

Shahid over time

The chart below shows babies named Shahid registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1996 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 Shahid, the clearest high point is 1999. The latest England and Wales figure is 6 births in 2023, compared with 22 at the peak.

Babies born per year

Shahid
06111722199620092023

Decades

Shahid by decade

Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Shahid 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 #3174 17 3
2010s #3133 61 10
2000s #1579 117 10
1990s #979 62 4

Geography

Where Shahid is most common

The bars show the latest published local birth counts for Shahid. 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.

Shahid ranks best in Scotland in the latest published regional snapshot for that area, where it placed #275 in 1980.

Scotland
4

Across the UK

Shahid in Scotland and Northern Ireland

Scotland (NRS)

#275 in 1980

5 years of NRS records, 19 total registered

Notable bearers

Famous people named Shahid

  • Shahid Malik

    politician

    British politician (born 1967)

    1967-

  • Shahid Buttar

    politician; poet; DJ producer; disc jockey; rapper; lawyer; activist

    civil liberties attorney and activist

    1950-

Related

Names similar to Shahid

FAQ

Shahid: questions and answers

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

In 2023, Shahid was ranked #3112 for boys in England and Wales, with 6 births registered.

When was Shahid most popular?

The peak year on record was 1999, with 22 babies registered as Shahid in England and Wales.

What is the meaning and origin of Shahid?

A masculine name of Arabic origin meaning "witness" or "martyr".

How many people are called Shahid in the UK?

A total of 257 babies have been registered as Shahid across the 27 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here, plus 19 more in Scotland.

Where is Shahid most common?

In the latest published local rankings, Shahid ranks best in Scotland, where it placed #275 in 1980. 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.