UK girl's name
Sibel
A feminine Turkish name meaning "morning star" or "bright morning".
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.
Sibel is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Sibel popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2023 in this profile. In that release it ranked #5687, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 1998, with 10 births.
This profile covers 113 England and Wales registrations across 22 recorded years from 1996 to 2023. 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 112 living people in the UK are called Sibel. 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
- • Sibel ranked #5687 for girls in England and Wales in 2023, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 1998, when 10 girls were registered as Sibel.
- • About 112 living people in the UK are estimated to have Sibel as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#5687
2023
Births in 2023
3
Latest year
Peak year
1998
10 births
Estimated living
112
2026
Meaning
What does Sibel mean?
The name Sibel has its origins in the Turkish language and culture. It is derived from the Turkish word "sib," which means "clan" or "tribe." The name is believed to have emerged during the Ottoman Empire era, which lasted from the 13th to the early 20th century.
Sibel was a popular name among the Turkic peoples who inhabited the Anatolian region (modern-day Turkey) and the surrounding areas. It was often given to girls born into prominent families or clans, as it symbolized a sense of belonging and connection to one's roots.
The earliest recorded mention of the name Sibel can be found in Ottoman-era documents and records from the 16th and 17th centuries. These include birth and marriage records, as well as literary works and poetry from the time.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Sibel. One of the earliest was Sibel Hatun (1590-1650), a Turkish poet and calligrapher who was renowned for her contributions to the Ottoman literary tradition.
Another prominent figure was Sibel Unsal (1870-1964), a Turkish feminist and activist who played a significant role in the women's rights movement in the early 20th century. She fought for women's education and advocated for their participation in public life.
In the realm of entertainment, Sibel Kekilli (born 1980) is a German actress of Turkish descent who gained international recognition for her role in the award-winning film "Head-On" (2004).
Sibel Edmonds (born 1970) is a former FBI translator and whistleblower who exposed security lapses and cover-ups within the agency. Her case gained widespread attention and sparked debates around government transparency and accountability.
Sibel Tuzun (born 1976) is a Turkish singer and songwriter who has achieved significant success in the Turkish music industry. She is known for her powerful vocals and her ability to blend traditional Turkish music with contemporary styles.
These are just a few examples of individuals who have carried the name Sibel throughout history, each leaving their mark in various fields and contributing to the rich tapestry of cultural and societal narratives.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Sibel over time
The chart below shows babies named Sibel 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 Sibel, the clearest high point is 1998. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2023, compared with 10 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Sibel by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Sibel 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 | #5608 | 12 | 4 |
| 2010s | #4510 | 29 | 6 |
| 2000s | #3472 | 40 | 8 |
| 1990s | #1988 | 32 | 4 |
Related
Names similar to Sibel
- Sophie 103,803
- Sophia 46,936
- Scarlett 34,261
- Sienna 32,418
- Sofia 29,136
- Sarah 27,961
- Shannon 25,510
- Summer 24,167
- Sara 14,205
- Skye 13,654
- Samantha 12,697
- Stephanie 9,309
FAQ
Sibel: questions and answers
How popular is the name Sibel in the UK right now?
In 2023, Sibel was ranked #5687 for girls in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Sibel most popular?
The peak year on record was 1998, with 10 babies registered as Sibel in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Sibel?
A feminine Turkish name meaning "morning star" or "bright morning".
How many people are called Sibel in the UK?
A total of 113 babies have been registered as Sibel across the 22 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.