UK boy's name
Shiraz
A Persian masculine name meaning "pleasant town" or "city of roses".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2022. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Shiraz is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Shiraz popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2022 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4789, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 1996, with 10 births.
This profile covers 69 England and Wales registrations across 14 recorded years from 1996 to 2022. 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 30% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 68 living people in the UK are called Shiraz. 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 2023 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Shiraz ranked #4789 for boys in England and Wales in 2022, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 1996, when 10 boys were registered as Shiraz.
- • About 68 living people in the UK are estimated to have Shiraz as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#4789
2022
Births in 2022
3
Latest year
Peak year
1996
10 births
Estimated living
68
2026
Meaning
What does Shiraz mean?
The name Shiraz has its origins in the Persian language and culture. It is believed to have derived from the city of Shiraz, located in the southwestern part of modern-day Iran. Shiraz is one of the oldest cities in ancient Persia, with a rich history dating back to the 7th century AD.
The name Shiraz is closely tied to the city's renowned wine-making traditions. Shiraz is a type of Persian red wine grape that has been cultivated in the region for centuries. The name may have been initially used to refer to individuals associated with the wine industry or those hailing from the city of Shiraz.
In Persian literature, the name Shiraz appears in various works, including poetry and historical records. One of the most famous poets to bear the name was Hafez, a 14th-century Persian poet whose works are renowned for their lyrical beauty and mystical undertones. Hafez Shiraz (1315-1390) is considered one of the greatest masters of Persian poetry and his works have been widely translated and celebrated across the globe.
Another notable figure with the name Shiraz was Saadi Shirazi (1210-1291), a renowned Persian poet, philosopher, and scholar. His works, such as the Gulistan (Rose Garden) and Bustan (Orchard), are considered literary masterpieces and have had a profound influence on Persian literature and culture.
In the realm of architecture, the name Shiraz is associated with the Vakil Mosque and Vakil Bazaar, two iconic structures located in the city of Shiraz. The Vakil Mosque, built in the late 18th century, is renowned for its intricate tilework and stunning architectural design, while the Vakil Bazaar is a historic covered market that dates back to the same period.
Other notable individuals with the name Shiraz include Mirza Mehdi Khan Amin ed-Dowleh (1831-1924), a prominent Iranian statesman and diplomat who served as the Prime Minister of Persia in the late 19th century, and Shiraz Hussain (1915-1975), a renowned Pakistani actor and playwright who made significant contributions to the country's theater and film industry.
While the name Shiraz may have originated from the Persian city and its wine-making traditions, it has since gained popularity across various cultures and regions, transcending its geographical and linguistic boundaries.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Shiraz over time
The chart below shows babies named Shiraz registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1996 to 2022. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Shiraz, the clearest high point is 1996. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2022, compared with 10 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Shiraz by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Shiraz 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 | #4789 | 3 | 1 |
| 2010s | #4805 | 3 | 1 |
| 2000s | #3149 | 36 | 8 |
| 1990s | #1765 | 27 | 4 |
Related
Names similar to Shiraz
- 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
Shiraz: questions and answers
How popular is the name Shiraz in the UK right now?
In 2022, Shiraz was ranked #4789 for boys in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Shiraz most popular?
The peak year on record was 1996, with 10 babies registered as Shiraz in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Shiraz?
A Persian masculine name meaning "pleasant town" or "city of roses".
How many people are called Shiraz in the UK?
A total of 69 babies have been registered as Shiraz across the 14 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.