UK boy's name
Vir
A masculine Indian name meaning brave, courageous, or hero.
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.
Vir is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Vir popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2023 in this profile. In that release it ranked #2813, with 7 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2016, with 10 births.
This profile covers 78 England and Wales registrations across 17 recorded years from 2005 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 70% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 78 living people in the UK are called Vir. 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
- • Vir ranked #2813 for boys in England and Wales in 2023, with 7 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2016, when 10 boys were registered as Vir.
- • About 78 living people in the UK are estimated to have Vir as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#2813
2023
Births in 2023
7
Latest year
Peak year
2016
10 births
Estimated living
78
2026
Meaning
What does Vir mean?
The name Vir has its origins in the Sanskrit language, which is an ancient Indo-Aryan language of South Asia. Vir is derived from the Sanskrit word 'vira,' which means 'brave' or 'heroic.' This name was prevalent in ancient India and has been a part of Indian culture for centuries.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Vir can be found in the Hindu epic Mahabharata, which dates back to around the 8th century BCE. In the epic, Vir is mentioned as a name of a warrior or a brave soldier. The name was also associated with the Hindu god Vishnu, who is often depicted as a protector and a warrior.
During the medieval period, the name Vir was commonly used among the Rajput clans of India, who were known for their bravery and valor in battle. Many Rajput rulers and warriors bore the name Vir, and it became a symbol of courage and strength.
In the 16th century, a Rajput ruler named Vir Singh Deo ruled over the princely state of Bundela in central India. He was known for his bravery and military conquests, and his name became synonymous with valor and heroism.
Another notable historical figure with the name Vir was Vir Kunwar Singh, a leader of the Indian Rebellion of 1857 against the British East India Company. He was a skilled warrior and led his forces with great courage and determination.
In more recent times, Vir Savarkar, an Indian independence activist, philosopher, and writer, was born in 1883. He played a pivotal role in the Indian independence movement and was a staunch advocate for Hindu nationalism.
Vir Chakra is also the name of India's third-highest military decoration, awarded for acts of gallantry in the presence of the enemy. The name Vir Chakra itself means "Vir's Wheel" or "Wheel of Valor," further emphasizing the association of the name with bravery and heroism.
Overall, the name Vir has a rich historical significance in Indian culture, representing courage, valor, and heroism. Its roots can be traced back to ancient Sanskrit texts, and it has been borne by many notable warriors, rulers, and freedom fighters throughout history.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Vir over time
The chart below shows babies named Vir registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2005 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 Vir, the clearest high point is 2016. The latest England and Wales figure is 7 births in 2023, compared with 10 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Vir by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Vir 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 | #3284 | 17 | 3 |
| 2010s | #4072 | 39 | 9 |
| 2000s | #3535 | 22 | 5 |
Related
Names similar to Vir
- Vincent 7,753
- Vinnie 6,092
- Victor 4,279
- Vinny 1,401
- Veer 1,163
- Vihaan 948
- Valentino 883
- Viktor 706
- Vlad 677
- Vivaan 615
- Vincenzo 587
- Vladimir 541
FAQ
Vir: questions and answers
How popular is the name Vir in the UK right now?
In 2023, Vir was ranked #2813 for boys in England and Wales, with 7 births registered.
When was Vir most popular?
The peak year on record was 2016, with 10 babies registered as Vir in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Vir?
A masculine Indian name meaning brave, courageous, or hero.
How many people are called Vir in the UK?
A total of 78 babies have been registered as Vir across the 17 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.