UK boy's name
Virat
A masculine name of Sanskrit origin meaning "best among all".
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.
Virat is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Virat popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #2263, with 10 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2016, with 13 births.
This profile covers 101 England and Wales registrations across 13 recorded years from 2012 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 77% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 100 living people in the UK are called Virat. 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
- • Virat ranked #2263 for boys in England and Wales in 2024, with 10 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2016, when 13 boys were registered as Virat.
- • About 100 living people in the UK are estimated to have Virat as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#2263
2024
Births in 2024
10
Latest year
Peak year
2016
13 births
Estimated living
100
2026
Meaning
What does Virat mean?
The name Virat originates from Sanskrit, an ancient Indo-Aryan language that served as the root for many modern Indian languages. It is derived from the Sanskrit word "virāta," which means "powerful" or "mighty." The name has its roots in ancient Hindu mythology and texts, and it is often associated with strength, courage, and valor.
One of the earliest references to the name Virat can be found in the epic Hindu scripture, the Mahabharata. In this sacred text, Virat is the name of a king who offered shelter and protection to the Pandava princes during their exile. The Pandavas were the central protagonists in the Mahabharata, and their time spent in King Virat's kingdom is a significant chapter in the epic narrative.
Throughout history, the name Virat has been borne by several notable figures. One of the most famous was Virat Kohli, an Indian cricketer who was born on November 5, 1988. Kohli is widely regarded as one of the greatest batsmen in the modern era and has captained the Indian national team across all formats of the game.
Another prominent individual with the name Virat was Virat Anushka Shetty, an Indian film actress who has appeared in numerous successful Telugu and Tamil movies. She was born on November 7, 1981, and is known for her versatile performances and critically acclaimed roles.
In the realm of literature, Virat Singh Rathore was a renowned Hindi poet and writer who lived from 1888 to 1972. He was a prominent figure in the Chhayavaad literary movement and is celebrated for his contributions to modern Hindi poetry.
The name Virat has also been associated with historical figures from ancient Indian dynasties. One such figure was Virat Raj, a ruler from the Chauhan dynasty who reigned in the 12th century CE. He is known for his military campaigns and territorial expansions during his reign.
Another historical figure with the name Virat was Virat Dev, a Rajput king from the Yadav dynasty who ruled in the 11th century CE. He is remembered for his patronage of arts and literature, as well as his efforts in promoting cultural development during his reign.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Virat over time
The chart below shows babies named Virat registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2012 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 Virat, the clearest high point is 2016. The latest England and Wales figure is 10 births in 2024, compared with 13 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Virat by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Virat 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 | #3050 | 36 | 5 |
| 2010s | #2542 | 65 | 8 |
Related
Names similar to Virat
- 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
Virat: questions and answers
How popular is the name Virat in the UK right now?
In 2024, Virat was ranked #2263 for boys in England and Wales, with 10 births registered.
When was Virat most popular?
The peak year on record was 2016, with 13 babies registered as Virat in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Virat?
A masculine name of Sanskrit origin meaning "best among all".
How many people are called Virat in the UK?
A total of 101 babies have been registered as Virat across the 13 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.