UK name, mostly boys
Tegh
A masculine name of Punjabi origin meaning "sword" or "saber".
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.
Also recorded as a girls' name in the UK, with 36 girls.
Tegh is mostly registered for boys in the UK records. People looking for Tegh popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #1951, with 12 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2023, with 17 births.
This profile covers 118 England and Wales registrations across 16 recorded years from 2005 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 71% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 117 living people in the UK are called Tegh. 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
- • Tegh ranked #1951 for boys in England and Wales in 2024, with 12 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2023, when 17 boys were registered as Tegh.
- • Tegh is also recorded for girls, but the boys side is the larger UK variant in these records.
- • About 117 living people in the UK are estimated to have Tegh as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
- • Across the England and Wales records shown here, 76.6% of Tegh registrations are for boys.
Latest rank (E&W)
#1951
2024
Births in 2024
12
Latest year
Peak year
2023
17 births
Estimated living
117
2026
Gender
Boy and girl registrations for Tegh
In England and Wales birth records, Tegh has been registered for both boys and girls. Across the years shown here, 76.6% of registrations are for boys and 23.4% 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.
Tegh registered for boys
- Ranked #1,951 in 2024
- 12 boys registered in 2024
- Peak: 2023 (17 births)
Tegh registered for girls
- Ranked #2,574 in 2024
- 10 girls registered in 2024
- Peak: 2024 (10 births)
Meaning
What does Tegh mean?
The name Tegh originates from the Punjabi language, which is spoken primarily in the Indian state of Punjab and the Pakistani province of Punjab. It is derived from the Sanskrit word "teja," which means "radiance" or "brilliance." This name has a strong cultural and historical significance in the Sikh tradition.
The earliest recorded use of the name Tegh can be traced back to the 16th century, during the time of the Sikh Gurus. One of the most notable figures associated with this name is Guru Tegh Bahadur, the ninth Sikh Guru, who lived from 1621 to 1675. He is revered for his teachings on human rights, religious freedom, and his supreme sacrifice for the protection of religious liberty.
Another prominent figure in Sikh history with the name Tegh was Baba Tegh Singh, a renowned Sikh warrior and leader who lived from 1665 to 1705. He played a crucial role in the defense of the Sikh community during the turbulent times of the Mughal Empire.
In the 18th century, Tegh Singh Bhadauria was a distinguished Sikh military commander who fought against the Afghan invaders and helped establish the Sikh Empire under Maharaja Ranjit Singh. He lived from 1763 to 1844 and is remembered for his bravery and strategic prowess.
Moving forward to the 20th century, Tegh Singh Samundari was a prominent Sikh politician and social activist who lived from 1899 to 1970. He played a significant role in the Indian independence movement and advocated for the rights of marginalized communities.
Another notable figure with the name Tegh was Tegh Bahadur Nayyar, a renowned Indian historian and author who lived from 1888 to 1969. He made significant contributions to the study of Sikh history and culture through his literary works.
While the name Tegh has its roots in the Sikh tradition, it has also been adopted by people of various backgrounds and cultures, particularly in the Indian subcontinent. The name symbolizes radiance, brilliance, and strength, reflecting the core values upheld by the Sikh Gurus and their followers.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Tegh over time
The chart below compares boys and girls registered as Tegh in England and Wales, from 2005 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 Tegh, the clearest high point is 2023. The latest England and Wales figure is 12 births in 2024, compared with 17 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Tegh by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Tegh 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 | #1851 | 67 | 5 |
| 2010s | #3660 | 41 | 8 |
| 2000s | #4008 | 10 | 3 |
Related
Names similar to Tegh
- 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
Tegh: questions and answers
How popular is the name Tegh in the UK right now?
In 2024, Tegh was ranked #1951 for boys in England and Wales, with 12 births registered.
When was Tegh most popular?
The peak year on record was 2023, with 17 babies registered as Tegh in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Tegh?
A masculine name of Punjabi origin meaning "sword" or "saber".
How many people are called Tegh in the UK?
A total of 118 babies have been registered as Tegh across the 16 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.