UK boy's name
Tej
A masculine name of Sanskrit origin meaning "radiance" or "splendor".
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.
Tej is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Tej popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #5119, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2016, with 10 births.
This profile covers 156 England and Wales registrations across 27 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 30% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 155 living people in the UK are called Tej. 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
- • Tej ranked #5119 for boys in England and Wales in 2024, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2016, when 10 boys were registered as Tej.
- • About 155 living people in the UK are estimated to have Tej as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#5119
2024
Births in 2024
3
Latest year
Peak year
2016
10 births
Estimated living
155
2026
Meaning
What does Tej mean?
The name Tej has its origins in the Sanskrit language, tracing back to ancient India. It is derived from the word "teja," which means "radiance" or "splendor." The name carries a sense of brightness, glory, and brilliance.
In Hindu mythology, Tej is associated with the concept of tejas, which represents spiritual and intellectual energy or power. It is often used as a metaphor for the radiant aura or splendor that emanates from a divine or enlightened being.
One of the earliest recorded references to the name Tej can be found in the ancient Hindu scriptures, such as the Vedas and the Upanishads, where it is mentioned in various contexts related to spiritual wisdom and divine radiance.
Throughout history, several notable figures have borne the name Tej. One of the earliest known examples is Tej Bahadur, an Indian warrior and military leader from the 17th century who fought against the Mughal Empire (1675-1705). His bravery and valor in battle earned him the epithet "Tej Bahadur," meaning "Radiant Brave One."
Another notable figure was Tej Singh (1713-1768), a prominent Rajput ruler and military commander from Rajasthan, India. He played a pivotal role in the struggle against the Maratha Empire and is remembered for his strategic leadership and valor.
In more recent times, Tej Bahadur Sapru (1875-1949) was an eminent Indian lawyer, jurist, and statesman who served as a member of the Viceroy's Executive Council and played a significant role in the Indian independence movement.
Tej Pratap Singh (1912-1960) was an Indian politician and socialist leader who actively participated in the Indian independence struggle and later served as a member of the Constituent Assembly of India.
Tej Bahadur Singh (1928-2018) was an Indian soldier and recipient of the Param Vir Chakra, India's highest military decoration, for his exceptional bravery and selfless actions during the Sino-Indian War of 1962.
The name Tej has been associated with individuals who have exhibited radiance, brilliance, and valor in various fields throughout history, reflecting the essence of its Sanskrit origin.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Tej over time
The chart below shows babies named Tej registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, 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 Tej, the clearest high point is 2016. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2024, compared with 10 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Tej by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Tej 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 | #3507 | 28 | 5 |
| 2010s | #2989 | 65 | 10 |
| 2000s | #2552 | 51 | 9 |
| 1990s | #2438 | 12 | 3 |
Related
Names similar to Tej
- 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
Tej: questions and answers
How popular is the name Tej in the UK right now?
In 2024, Tej was ranked #5119 for boys in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Tej most popular?
The peak year on record was 2016, with 10 babies registered as Tej in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Tej?
A masculine name of Sanskrit origin meaning "radiance" or "splendor".
How many people are called Tej in the UK?
A total of 156 babies have been registered as Tej across the 27 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.