UK boy's name
Vivek
A masculine Hindu name signifying knowledge, wisdom, intelligence.
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2017. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Vivek is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Vivek popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2017 in this profile. In that release it ranked #3996, with 4 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2003, with 23 births.
This profile covers 283 England and Wales registrations across 22 recorded years from 1996 to 2017. 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 17% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 280 living people in the UK are called Vivek. 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 2018 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Vivek ranked #3996 for boys in England and Wales in 2017, with 4 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2003, when 23 boys were registered as Vivek.
- • About 280 living people in the UK are estimated to have Vivek as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#3996
2017
Births in 2017
4
Latest year
Peak year
2003
23 births
Estimated living
280
2026
Meaning
What does Vivek mean?
The name Vivek originates from the Sanskrit language, one of the oldest languages of the Indian subcontinent. It can be traced back to ancient times, with roots in various Hindu scriptures and texts. The word "Vivek" is derived from the Sanskrit word "Viveka," which means discernment, wisdom, or discrimination.
In Hindu philosophy, Viveka is considered an essential attribute for attaining spiritual enlightenment. It represents the ability to distinguish between the eternal and the transient, the real and the unreal. The name Vivek is often associated with qualities such as intelligence, wisdom, and clarity of thought.
One of the earliest recorded references to the name Vivek can be found in the Bhagavad Gita, a renowned Hindu scripture. In this sacred text, Lord Krishna emphasizes the importance of Viveka as a means to attain spiritual liberation.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Vivek. One of the most prominent figures was Vivek Rai (1453-1520), a renowned Sanskrit scholar and poet from the Vijayanagar Empire in southern India. His works, including the "Vivekasindhu," a treatise on Advaita Vedanta philosophy, have had a lasting impact on Hindu thought.
Another significant figure was Vivek Nanda (1585-1645), a Kashmiri mystic and poet who wrote extensively on the themes of love, devotion, and spirituality. His poetic compositions, known as "Shrunga Rasa," have been widely acclaimed for their depth and beauty.
In more recent times, Vivek Oberoi (born 1976) is a well-known Indian actor who has starred in several Bollywood films. His performances in movies like "Company" and "Saathiya" have earned him critical acclaim and a dedicated fan following.
Another notable individual is Vivek Ranadivé (born 1957), an Indian-American businessman, author, and philanthropist. He is the founder of TIBCO Software Inc. and the majority owner of the Sacramento Kings basketball team in the NBA.
Lastly, Vivek Shanbhag (born 1962) is a prominent Indian writer and journalist known for his novels and short stories in the Kannada language. His works, such as "Ghachar Ghochar" and "Sastrahara," have received numerous literary awards and critical acclaim.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Vivek over time
The chart below shows babies named Vivek registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1996 to 2017. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Vivek, the clearest high point is 2003. The latest England and Wales figure is 4 births in 2017, compared with 23 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Vivek by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Vivek 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | #3001 | 53 | 8 |
| 2000s | #1194 | 168 | 10 |
| 1990s | #967 | 62 | 4 |
Notable bearers
Famous people named Vivek
-
Vivek H. Murthy
physician
American physician, surgeon general, vice admiral of the United States Navy
1977-
Related
Names similar to Vivek
- 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
Vivek: questions and answers
How popular is the name Vivek in the UK right now?
In 2017, Vivek was ranked #3996 for boys in England and Wales, with 4 births registered.
When was Vivek most popular?
The peak year on record was 2003, with 23 babies registered as Vivek in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Vivek?
A masculine Hindu name signifying knowledge, wisdom, intelligence.
How many people are called Vivek in the UK?
A total of 283 babies have been registered as Vivek across the 22 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.