NameCensus.

UK name, mostly boys

Tanveer

A masculine given name of Arabic origin referring to the bright light or illumination.

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.

Tanveer is mostly registered for boys in the UK records. People looking for Tanveer 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 2010, with 17 births.

This profile covers 257 England and Wales registrations across 29 recorded years from 1996 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 53% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.

We estimate that about 255 living people in the UK are called Tanveer. 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

  • Tanveer ranked #2443 for boys in England and Wales in 2024, with 9 registrations.
  • The name peaked in 2010, when 17 boys were registered as Tanveer.
  • About 255 living people in the UK are estimated to have Tanveer as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
  • Across the England and Wales records shown here, 87.4% of Tanveer registrations are for boys.

Latest rank (E&W)

#2443

2024

Births in 2024

9

Latest year

Peak year

2010

17 births

Estimated living

255

2026

Gender

Boy and girl registrations for Tanveer

In England and Wales birth records, Tanveer has been registered for both boys and girls. Across the years shown here, 87.4% of registrations are for boys and 12.6% are for girls.

These figures use the sex categories in the published baby-name files. They are useful for spotting how the name is used at registration, but they are not a live measure of gender identity or everyone living with the name today.

87% boys
13% girls
Boys257 (87.4%)Girls37 (12.6%)

Tanveer registered for boys

  • Ranked #2,443 in 2024
  • 9 boys registered in 2024
  • Peak: 2010 (17 births)

Tanveer registered for girls

  • Ranked #5,493 in 2020
  • 3 girls registered in 2020
  • Peak: 2004 (5 births)

Meaning

What does Tanveer mean?

The name Tanveer has its origins in the Persian and Arabic languages. It is derived from the Arabic word "nur," which means "light" or "radiance." The name can be traced back to the 7th century CE, when Arabic culture and language were spreading across the Middle East and parts of Asia.

In Persian literature and poetry, the word "tanveer" is often used to describe the act of enlightenment or illumination, both in a literal and metaphorical sense. It is associated with the concept of spiritual awakening and the pursuit of knowledge.

One of the earliest recorded uses of the name Tanveer can be found in the works of the renowned Persian poet Rumi, who lived in the 13th century CE. Rumi frequently used the word "tanveer" in his poetry, and it is possible that the name was derived from his writings.

Throughout history, there have been several notable individuals who bore the name Tanveer. One such person was Tanveer Fatima, a prominent Sufi mystic and scholar who lived in the 16th century CE in present-day Pakistan. She was renowned for her spiritual teachings and her contributions to Islamic literature.

Another famous bearer of the name was Tanveer Jehan Begum, a Mughal princess who lived in the 17th century CE. She was known for her patronage of the arts and her support of various cultural and literary endeavors.

In more recent times, Tanveer Nizam, an Indian politician and member of the Indian National Congress party, was a prominent figure in the late 20th century. He served as a member of the Lok Sabha (the lower house of the Indian parliament) and was actively involved in various social and political movements.

Tanveer Siddiqui, a Pakistani cricket player who represented Pakistan in the 1970s and 1980s, was also a notable bearer of the name. He played as a wicket-keeper and batsman for the national team and was part of the squad that won the 1992 Cricket World Cup.

Lastly, Tanveer Ahmed, a British author and playwright of Pakistani descent, has gained recognition for his works exploring themes of identity, culture, and the immigrant experience. His plays and novels have been widely acclaimed and have received numerous awards and accolades.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

Popularity

Tanveer over time

The chart below compares boys and girls registered as Tanveer in England and Wales, from 1996 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 Tanveer, the clearest high point is 2010. The latest England and Wales figure is 9 births in 2024, compared with 17 at the peak.

Babies born per year

BoysGirls
06111722199620102024

Decades

Tanveer by decade

Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Tanveer 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 #2700 41 5
2010s #2344 97 10
2000s #1871 90 10
1990s #1625 29 4

Related

Names similar to Tanveer

FAQ

Tanveer: questions and answers

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

In 2024, Tanveer was ranked #2443 for boys in England and Wales, with 9 births registered.

When was Tanveer most popular?

The peak year on record was 2010, with 17 babies registered as Tanveer in England and Wales.

What is the meaning and origin of Tanveer?

A masculine given name of Arabic origin referring to the bright light or illumination.

How many people are called Tanveer in the UK?

A total of 257 babies have been registered as Tanveer across the 29 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.