UK boy's name
Tabish
An Arabic masculine name meaning "bright", "splendid", or "illustrious".
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.
Tabish is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Tabish popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2023 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4991, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 1998, with 4 births.
This profile covers 16 England and Wales registrations across 5 recorded years from 1998 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 75% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 16 living people in the UK are called Tabish. 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
- • Tabish ranked #4991 for boys in England and Wales in 2023, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 1998, when 4 boys were registered as Tabish.
- • About 16 living people in the UK are estimated to have Tabish as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#4991
2023
Births in 2023
3
Latest year
Peak year
1998
4 births
Estimated living
16
2026
Meaning
What does Tabish mean?
The given name Tabish has its origins in the Arabic language, and it holds a rich cultural and historical significance. The name is derived from the Arabic word "tabash," which means "bringer of good news" or "harbinger of joy." This linguistic connection can be traced back to the early days of Islam, a religion that places great emphasis on the importance of spreading the word of God and embracing the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad.
Historically, the name Tabish was particularly prevalent in regions with strong Islamic cultural influences, such as the Middle East, North Africa, and parts of Central Asia. It was a name often bestowed upon individuals who were believed to possess the qualities of being a messenger of good tidings or a bearer of positive news. This association with the spreading of joyful messages likely contributed to the name's enduring popularity within these regions.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Tabish can be found in the writings of medieval Islamic scholars and historians. For example, the 11th-century Persian scholar and poet, Tabish al-Isfahani, whose full name was Abu al-Qasim Tabish ibn Muhammad al-Isfahani, was renowned for his contributions to the field of Arabic literature and poetry.
Throughout history, several notable figures have borne the name Tabish, leaving their mark across various disciplines. One such individual was Tabish Khair (born 1966), a critically acclaimed Indian-born novelist and poet who has authored works that explore themes of identity, migration, and cross-cultural experiences.
Another prominent bearer of the name was Tabish Qureshi (1930-2009), a Pakistani linguist and scholar who made significant contributions to the study of Urdu language and literature. His extensive research and publications on the subject have left a lasting impact on the field of South Asian linguistics.
In the realm of politics, Tabish Gauhar (1951-2021) was a prominent Pakistani politician and former member of the National Assembly. He played an active role in shaping the country's political landscape and advocating for democratic reforms.
Additionally, Tabish Dehlvi (born 1961) is a renowned Islamic scholar and writer from India. He has authored several books and articles exploring the rich heritage of Islamic civilization and promoting interfaith dialogue and understanding.
Lastly, Tabish Khair (born 1966), mentioned earlier, deserves another mention for his literary accomplishments, which have garnered him numerous accolades, including the prestigious All India Poetry Prize and the Sahitya Akademi Award for English Writing.
These individuals, hailing from diverse backgrounds and professions, have contributed significantly to their respective fields and have carried the name Tabish with distinction, further enriching its historical and cultural significance.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Tabish over time
The chart below shows babies named Tabish registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1998 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 Tabish, the clearest high point is 1998. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2023, compared with 4 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Tabish by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Tabish 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 | #4991 | 3 | 1 |
| 2010s | #4808 | 6 | 2 |
| 2000s | #4052 | 3 | 1 |
| 1990s | #2419 | 4 | 1 |
Related
Names similar to Tabish
- Thomas 160,894
- Tyler 42,147
- Theo 40,594
- Toby 32,482
- Theodore 30,211
- Tommy 25,300
- Teddy 20,781
- Taylor 14,354
- Tobias 13,102
- Tom 9,822
- Tristan 9,171
- Timothy 6,200
FAQ
Tabish: questions and answers
How popular is the name Tabish in the UK right now?
In 2023, Tabish was ranked #4991 for boys in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Tabish most popular?
The peak year on record was 1998, with 4 babies registered as Tabish in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Tabish?
An Arabic masculine name meaning "bright", "splendid", or "illustrious".
How many people are called Tabish in the UK?
A total of 16 babies have been registered as Tabish across the 5 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.