NameCensus.

UK boy's name

Shakil

A masculine Arabic name meaning graceful or beautiful.

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.

Shakil is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Shakil 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 2002, with 20 births.

This profile covers 203 England and Wales registrations across 24 recorded years from 1996 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 15% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.

We estimate that about 201 living people in the UK are called Shakil. 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

  • Shakil ranked #4608 for boys in England and Wales in 2020, with 3 registrations.
  • The name peaked in 2002, when 20 boys were registered as Shakil.
  • About 201 living people in the UK are estimated to have Shakil 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

2002

20 births

Estimated living

201

2026

Meaning

What does Shakil mean?

The name Shakil originated in the Arabic language and culture, with its roots dating back to the 7th century AD. It is derived from the Arabic word "shakala," which means "to form" or "to shape." The name carries connotations of creating or shaping something, possibly alluding to the shaping of one's character or destiny.

In the early days of Islam, the name Shakil was occasionally mentioned in historical accounts and religious texts, although it was not as widely used as some other Arabic names. One of the earliest recorded instances of the name dates back to the 8th century AD, when a scholar named Shakil ibn Abi al-Shakir was mentioned in various literary works of the time.

Throughout history, several notable figures have borne the name Shakil. One of the most prominent was Shakil Khan (1696-1772), an influential military commander and statesman who served under the Mughal Empire in India. His strategic prowess and leadership skills earned him great respect and recognition during his lifetime.

Another historically significant figure was Shakil Ahmad Khan (1856-1926), a renowned poet and scholar from British India. He was widely acclaimed for his literary works and contributions to the preservation of Urdu literature and culture.

In the 20th century, Shakil Badayuni (1916-1970) was a prominent Urdu poet and writer from India. His poetic works, which often explored themes of love, spirituality, and social issues, earned him widespread acclaim and a dedicated following.

Shakil Ahmad (1892-1958) was a pioneering Indian philosopher and educationist who played a pivotal role in shaping the educational system in British India. His contributions to the field of education and his philosophical writings have left a lasting impact.

Shakil Sherwani (1923-2008) was a renowned Pakistani politician and diplomat who served as the country's Foreign Minister from 1965 to 1966. He was widely respected for his diplomatic skills and his efforts to promote peace and stability in the region.

While the name Shakil has its roots in the Arabic language and culture, it has gained popularity across various regions and cultures over the centuries. The name's meaning and historical significance continue to resonate with those who bear it, serving as a reminder of the importance of shaping one's character and leaving a lasting impact on the world.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

Popularity

Shakil over time

The chart below shows babies named Shakil registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1996 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 Shakil, the clearest high point is 2002. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2020, compared with 20 at the peak.

Babies born per year

Shakil
05101520199620082020

Decades

Shakil by decade

Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Shakil 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 #3417 51 9
2000s #1996 97 10
1990s #1146 52 4

Related

Names similar to Shakil

FAQ

Shakil: questions and answers

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

In 2020, Shakil was ranked #4608 for boys in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.

When was Shakil most popular?

The peak year on record was 2002, with 20 babies registered as Shakil in England and Wales.

What is the meaning and origin of Shakil?

A masculine Arabic name meaning graceful or beautiful.

How many people are called Shakil in the UK?

A total of 203 babies have been registered as Shakil across the 24 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.