NameCensus.

UK boy's name

Velan

A masculine Tamil name meaning "farmer" or "plowman".

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.

Velan is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Velan popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2023 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4107, with 4 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2023, with 4 births.

This profile covers 4 England and Wales registrations across 1 recorded years from 2023 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.

Velan is at its recorded peak in the England and Wales series.

We estimate that about 4 living people in the UK are called Velan. 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

  • Velan ranked #4107 for boys in England and Wales in 2023, with 4 registrations.
  • The name peaked in 2023, when 4 boys were registered as Velan.
  • About 4 living people in the UK are estimated to have Velan as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.

Latest rank (E&W)

#4107

2023

Births in 2023

4

Latest year

Peak year

2023

4 births

Estimated living

4

2026

Meaning

What does Velan mean?

The name Velan is derived from the Tamil language, which is primarily spoken in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu and the northern and eastern provinces of Sri Lanka. It has its origins in the ancient Dravidian civilization that flourished in the region several centuries before the Common Era.

Velan is a masculine given name that stems from the Tamil word 'vel,' which means 'lance' or 'spear.' It is believed to have been a name bestowed upon warriors and soldiers who excelled in the art of spear combat during the times of the ancient Tamil kingdoms and empires.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Velan can be found in the ancient Tamil literary work, the Sangam literature, which dates back to the early centuries of the Common Era. The name is mentioned in several poems and verses, often associated with valor, bravery, and martial prowess.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Velan. One of the most famous was Velan Adhiyan, a celebrated Tamil poet and scholar who lived in the 9th century CE. His works, which explored themes of love, spirituality, and philosophy, are considered literary treasures of the Tamil canon.

Another prominent figure was Velan Kodandaraman, a revered Tamil saint and mystic who lived in the 16th century CE. He was renowned for his devotional works and is believed to have composed numerous hymns and spiritual songs that are still sung in Hindu temples across Tamil Nadu.

In the realm of sports, Velan Anaimuthu was a renowned Indian field hockey player who represented his country in the 1964 and 1968 Olympic Games. He was part of the Indian team that won the gold medal in the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, cementing his place in the annals of Indian sporting history.

Velan Sundaram was a prominent Tamil scholar and linguist of the 20th century. He dedicated his life to the preservation and promotion of the Tamil language and literature, authoring numerous books and publications that helped to safeguard the rich cultural heritage of the Tamil people.

Finally, Velan Radhakrishnan was a distinguished Indian mathematician who made significant contributions to the fields of analysis and functional analysis. He held prestigious academic positions at various universities and was widely recognized for his research and publications.

These are just a few examples of the many individuals who have carried the name Velan throughout history, each leaving an indelible mark in their respective fields and contributing to the rich tapestry of Tamil culture and heritage.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

Decades

Velan by decade

Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Velan 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 #4107 4 1

Related

Names similar to Velan

FAQ

Velan: questions and answers

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

In 2023, Velan was ranked #4107 for boys in England and Wales, with 4 births registered.

When was Velan most popular?

The peak year on record was 2023, with 4 babies registered as Velan in England and Wales.

What is the meaning and origin of Velan?

A masculine Tamil name meaning "farmer" or "plowman".

How many people are called Velan in the UK?

A total of 4 babies have been registered as Velan across the 1 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.