UK boy's name
Waaris
An Arabic masculine name meaning "heir" or "successor".
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.
Waaris is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Waaris 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 2018, with 5 births.
This profile covers 19 England and Wales registrations across 5 recorded years from 2011 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 80% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 19 living people in the UK are called Waaris. 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
- • Waaris ranked #4107 for boys in England and Wales in 2023, with 4 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2018, when 5 boys were registered as Waaris.
- • About 19 living people in the UK are estimated to have Waaris 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
2018
5 births
Estimated living
19
2026
Meaning
What does Waaris mean?
The name Waaris has its origins in the Arabic language and is derived from the word "warith," which means "heir" or "inheritor." This name has been prevalent in various Islamic cultures and societies for centuries.
In the early days of Islam, the concept of inheritance played a crucial role in shaping familial and societal structures. The term "warith" held significant importance, as it referred to those who were entitled to inherit wealth, property, or responsibilities from their ancestors or predecessors.
One of the earliest known references to the name Waaris can be found in Islamic literature and religious texts, where it is often used to symbolize the notion of spiritual inheritance, referring to those who carry on the teachings and traditions of their faith.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Waaris. One of the earliest recorded examples is Waaris Khan (1526-1581), a prominent ruler of the Sur Empire in northern India during the 16th century. He was known for his military campaigns and his efforts to establish a strong centralized government.
Another historical figure with the name Waaris is Waaris Shah (1722-1798), a celebrated Sufi poet from the Punjab region of modern-day Pakistan. His poetic masterpiece, "Heer Ranjha," is considered a classic of Punjabi literature and has been widely celebrated for its exploration of love, spirituality, and social commentary.
In the 19th century, Waaris Ali Shah (1819-1901) was a prominent Nawab (ruler) of the princely state of Tonk in Rajasthan, India. He was known for his patronage of the arts and his efforts to modernize and develop his state during his reign.
Moving into the 20th century, Waaris Mir (1909-1987) was a renowned Pakistani Urdu poet and author. He was widely acclaimed for his contributions to Urdu literature and his poetic works, which often explored themes of love, spirituality, and the human condition.
Lastly, Waaris Hussain (born 1936) is a notable Pakistani artist and painter, known for his distinctive style and his contributions to the modern art movement in Pakistan. His works have been exhibited internationally and have received widespread critical acclaim.
These are just a few examples of individuals throughout history who have borne the name Waaris, each leaving their mark in various fields, from literature and poetry to politics and the arts.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Waaris over time
The chart below shows babies named Waaris registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2011 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 Waaris, the clearest high point is 2018. The latest England and Wales figure is 4 births in 2023, compared with 5 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Waaris by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Waaris 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 | #4448 | 7 | 2 |
| 2010s | #4027 | 12 | 3 |
Related
Names similar to Waaris
- William 117,982
- Wilfred 5,302
- Will 3,185
- Warren 2,787
- Wyatt 2,604
- Wesley 2,513
- Woody 1,951
- Walter 1,918
- Wiktor 1,354
- Wayne 979
- Wilbur 975
- Wade 902
FAQ
Waaris: questions and answers
How popular is the name Waaris in the UK right now?
In 2023, Waaris was ranked #4107 for boys in England and Wales, with 4 births registered.
When was Waaris most popular?
The peak year on record was 2018, with 5 babies registered as Waaris in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Waaris?
An Arabic masculine name meaning "heir" or "successor".
How many people are called Waaris in the UK?
A total of 19 babies have been registered as Waaris across the 5 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.