UK boy's name
Smit
A masculine given name of Sanskrit origin meaning "friend" or "beloved".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2019. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Smit is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Smit popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2019 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4702, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2008, with 3 births.
This profile covers 9 England and Wales registrations across 3 recorded years from 2008 to 2019. 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 100% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 9 living people in the UK are called Smit. 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 2020 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Smit ranked #4702 for boys in England and Wales in 2019, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2008, when 3 boys were registered as Smit.
- • About 9 living people in the UK are estimated to have Smit as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#4702
2019
Births in 2019
3
Latest year
Peak year
2008
3 births
Estimated living
9
2026
Meaning
What does Smit mean?
The given name Smit has its origins in the ancient Sanskrit language of India, dating back to around the 5th century BCE. It is derived from the Sanskrit word "smriti," which means "memory" or "recollection." The name was initially used as a term of respect for scholars and learned individuals who had mastered various branches of knowledge through their exceptional memories.
In the early centuries of the common era, the name Smit gained prominence in Hindu and Buddhist traditions, often appearing in religious texts and scriptures. One of the earliest known references can be found in the Mahabharata, an ancient Indian epic poem composed between the 8th and 9th centuries BCE. The text mentions a sage named Smit, who was renowned for his wisdom and profound understanding of the sacred scriptures.
As the use of the name spread across the Indian subcontinent, it became associated with individuals who excelled in various fields of study, including philosophy, literature, and the sciences. One notable figure bearing the name Smit was a 12th-century scholar and poet from present-day Karnataka, India. His works were highly regarded for their literary merit and contributed significantly to the development of Kannada literature.
In the 16th century, a renowned Indian mathematician and astronomer named Smit Shastri made significant contributions to the field of astronomy. He authored several treatises on celestial movements and played a crucial role in advancing the understanding of celestial phenomena during his time.
Another prominent individual with the name Smit was a 17th-century Nepalese spiritual leader and philosopher. His teachings and writings had a profound impact on the religious and cultural landscape of the Himalayan region, and he is still revered by many followers today.
Over the centuries, the name Smit has been carried by numerous scholars, thinkers, and intellectuals across various cultures and regions. While its origins can be traced back to ancient India, the name has transcended geographical boundaries and continues to be used in various parts of the world, often as a symbol of wisdom, knowledge, and intellectual pursuits.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Smit over time
The chart below shows babies named Smit registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2008 to 2019. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Smit, the clearest high point is 2008. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2019, compared with 3 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Smit by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Smit 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | #4756 | 6 | 2 |
| 2000s | #4432 | 3 | 1 |
Related
Names similar to Smit
- 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
Smit: questions and answers
How popular is the name Smit in the UK right now?
In 2019, Smit was ranked #4702 for boys in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Smit most popular?
The peak year on record was 2008, with 3 babies registered as Smit in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Smit?
A masculine given name of Sanskrit origin meaning "friend" or "beloved".
How many people are called Smit in the UK?
A total of 9 babies have been registered as Smit across the 3 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.