NameCensus.

UK boy's name

Sofiane

A masculine Arabic name meaning "wise" or "philosopher".

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.

Sofiane is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Sofiane popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2023 in this profile. In that release it ranked #3112, with 6 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 1998, with 7 births.

This profile covers 101 England and Wales registrations across 23 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 86% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.

We estimate that about 100 living people in the UK are called Sofiane. 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

  • Sofiane ranked #3112 for boys in England and Wales in 2023, with 6 registrations.
  • The name peaked in 1998, when 7 boys were registered as Sofiane.
  • About 100 living people in the UK are estimated to have Sofiane as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.

Latest rank (E&W)

#3112

2023

Births in 2023

6

Latest year

Peak year

1998

7 births

Estimated living

100

2026

Meaning

What does Sofiane mean?

The name Sofiane is of Arabic origin and derives from the word 'Sufi', which refers to the mystical Islamic belief and practice of inward purification. The name gained popularity in the Middle East and North Africa during the medieval period, when Sufism flourished as a spiritual movement within Islam.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Sofiane can be found in the 12th century, when a Sufi scholar and poet named Sofiane al-Andalusi lived in Seville, Spain. His works, which combined poetry with Sufi teachings, had a significant influence on the literary and spiritual traditions of the region.

In the 13th century, a renowned Sufi mystic named Sofiane al-Baghdadi lived in Baghdad, Iraq. He was known for his profound spiritual insights and his ability to interpret dreams and visions. His teachings inspired generations of Sufis and contributed to the spread of Sufism across the Islamic world.

During the 14th century, a Moroccan Sufi saint named Sofiane al-Marrakshi gained fame for his piety and miracles. His shrine in Marrakesh became a popular pilgrimage site, and his name was associated with healing and blessings.

In the 16th century, a Turkish Sufi poet named Sofiane Efendi wrote extensively about the mystical aspects of Islam. His works, which were highly regarded by scholars and spiritual seekers, played a significant role in the development of Ottoman literature and Sufism.

Another notable figure with the name Sofiane was Sofiane Ben Yahia, a 19th-century Algerian resistance leader who fought against French colonial rule. His bravery and unwavering commitment to defending his homeland earned him a place in Algerian history as a symbol of resistance and national pride.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

Popularity

Sofiane over time

The chart below shows babies named Sofiane 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 Sofiane, the clearest high point is 1998. The latest England and Wales figure is 6 births in 2023, compared with 7 at the peak.

Babies born per year

Sofiane
02457199620092023

Decades

Sofiane by decade

Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Sofiane 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 #3935 17 4
2010s #4212 34 9
2000s #2891 33 7
1990s #1920 17 3

Related

Names similar to Sofiane

FAQ

Sofiane: questions and answers

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

In 2023, Sofiane was ranked #3112 for boys in England and Wales, with 6 births registered.

When was Sofiane most popular?

The peak year on record was 1998, with 7 babies registered as Sofiane in England and Wales.

What is the meaning and origin of Sofiane?

A masculine Arabic name meaning "wise" or "philosopher".

How many people are called Sofiane in the UK?

A total of 101 babies have been registered as Sofiane across the 23 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.