UK boy's name
Shlok
A Hindu masculine name derived from Sanskrit meaning "verse" or "sacred text".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2024. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Shlok is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Shlok popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #2443, with 9 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2014, with 22 births.
This profile covers 187 England and Wales registrations across 19 recorded years from 2006 to 2024. 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 41% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 186 living people in the UK are called Shlok. 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 2025 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Shlok ranked #2443 for boys in England and Wales in 2024, with 9 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2014, when 22 boys were registered as Shlok.
- • About 186 living people in the UK are estimated to have Shlok as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#2443
2024
Births in 2024
9
Latest year
Peak year
2014
22 births
Estimated living
186
2026
Meaning
What does Shlok mean?
Shlok is a name of Sanskrit origin, rooted in the ancient Hindu tradition and Vedic literature. The name can be traced back to the Vedas, the oldest scriptures of Hinduism, dating back to around 1500-500 BCE.
The word "shlok" in Sanskrit refers to a verse or a stanza, particularly in the context of sacred hymns or chants. It is derived from the Sanskrit root "shlok," which means "to recite" or "to praise." This connection to the Vedic hymns and mantras suggests a spiritual and literary significance associated with the name.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Shlok can be found in the Rigveda, one of the four canonical sacred texts of Hinduism. The Rigveda is a collection of Vedic Sanskrit hymns composed around 1500-1000 BCE, and it contains numerous references to shloks or verses used in ritual chanting and recitation.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Shlok. One of the most prominent figures was Shlok Sharma (1904-1981), a renowned Indian poet, and writer who is considered a pioneer of the Hindi Nayi Kavita ("New Poetry") movement. His works explored themes of social injustice, human emotions, and the essence of life.
Another notable Shlok was Shlok Mukherjee (1923-1999), an Indian classical singer and music educator. He was a revered exponent of the Khyal genre of Hindustani classical music and trained numerous students in this tradition.
In the realm of literature, Shlok Anand (1937-2002) was a celebrated Indian author and playwright. He is best known for his novel "Samay Sargam," which explored the complexities of human relationships and the passage of time. His works were widely acclaimed and translated into several languages.
Moving to the field of science, Shlok Nanavati (1949-2018) was an Indian-American computer scientist and entrepreneur. He made significant contributions to the development of computer networking technologies and held several patents in this field.
Lastly, Shlok Desai (born 1962) is a renowned Indian classical dancer and choreographer. He is credited with popularizing the Kathak dance form on international stages and has received numerous awards and accolades for his artistic achievements.
These examples illustrate the diverse backgrounds and fields in which individuals named Shlok have made their mark throughout history, showcasing the name's rich cultural and literary heritage.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Shlok over time
The chart below shows babies named Shlok registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2006 to 2024. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Shlok, the clearest high point is 2014. The latest England and Wales figure is 9 births in 2024, compared with 22 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Shlok by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Shlok 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 | #2462 | 43 | 5 |
| 2010s | #2032 | 120 | 10 |
| 2000s | #2976 | 24 | 4 |
Related
Names similar to Shlok
- 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
Shlok: questions and answers
How popular is the name Shlok in the UK right now?
In 2024, Shlok was ranked #2443 for boys in England and Wales, with 9 births registered.
When was Shlok most popular?
The peak year on record was 2014, with 22 babies registered as Shlok in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Shlok?
A Hindu masculine name derived from Sanskrit meaning "verse" or "sacred text".
How many people are called Shlok in the UK?
A total of 187 babies have been registered as Shlok across the 19 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.