UK boy's name
Wais
A masculine name of Arabic origin meaning "superior" or "high-ranking".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2018. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Wais is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Wais popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2018 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4749, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2009, with 3 births.
This profile covers 9 England and Wales registrations across 3 recorded years from 2009 to 2018. 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 100% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 9 living people in the UK are called Wais. 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 2019 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Wais ranked #4749 for boys in England and Wales in 2018, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2009, when 3 boys were registered as Wais.
- • About 9 living people in the UK are estimated to have Wais as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#4749
2018
Births in 2018
3
Latest year
Peak year
2009
3 births
Estimated living
9
2026
Meaning
What does Wais mean?
The name Wais is believed to have originated from the Arabic language, where it is derived from the word "wasi," meaning "broad" or "wide." This name has its roots in the Middle Eastern region and can be traced back to ancient times.
One of the earliest mentions of the name Wais can be found in Islamic literature, where it is associated with a revered Sufi mystic from the 7th century AD. Wais al-Qurni, also known as Wais al-Qarni, was a renowned figure in early Islamic spirituality and is remembered for his piety and wisdom.
In the centuries that followed, the name Wais gained popularity within the Islamic world, particularly in regions such as Persia (modern-day Iran), Central Asia, and parts of the Indian subcontinent. It was often bestowed upon individuals with a connection to religious or spiritual pursuits.
One notable figure bearing the name Wais was Wais Jalili, a Persian poet who lived during the 13th century. His works, which explored themes of love and spirituality, have left a lasting impact on Persian literature.
Another historical figure of note is Wais Ahmad, a 19th-century Afghan ruler who played a significant role in the country's struggle for independence from the British Empire. He ruled from 1823 to 1826 and is remembered for his bravery and leadership during a turbulent period.
In the realm of sports, Wais Karim Modaqiq stands out as an accomplished Afghan cricketer. Born in 1994, he has represented the Afghan national cricket team and has played a crucial role in the development of cricket in his home country.
While the name Wais has its origins in the Arab and Islamic world, it has also found use in other cultures and regions over time. For example, in parts of Central and South Asia, variations of the name, such as Wais or Vais, have been adopted and used by various ethnic groups.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Wais over time
The chart below shows babies named Wais registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2009 to 2018. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Wais, the clearest high point is 2009. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2018, compared with 3 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Wais by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Wais 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 | #4714 | 6 | 2 |
| 2000s | #4527 | 3 | 1 |
Related
Names similar to Wais
- 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
Wais: questions and answers
How popular is the name Wais in the UK right now?
In 2018, Wais was ranked #4749 for boys in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Wais most popular?
The peak year on record was 2009, with 3 babies registered as Wais in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Wais?
A masculine name of Arabic origin meaning "superior" or "high-ranking".
How many people are called Wais in the UK?
A total of 9 babies have been registered as Wais across the 3 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.