UK boy's name
Waris
A masculine Arabic name meaning "heir" or "inheritor".
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.
Waris is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Waris popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #826, with 39 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2024, with 39 births.
This profile covers 220 England and Wales registrations across 25 recorded years from 1996 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.
Waris is at its recorded peak in the England and Wales series.
We estimate that about 219 living people in the UK are called Waris. 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
- • Waris ranked #826 for boys in England and Wales in 2024, with 39 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2024, when 39 boys were registered as Waris.
- • About 219 living people in the UK are estimated to have Waris as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#826
2024
Births in 2024
39
Latest year
Peak year
2024
39 births
Estimated living
219
2026
Meaning
What does Waris mean?
The name Waris has its origins in the Arabic language and culture, dating back to ancient times. It is derived from the Arabic word "warith," which means "heir" or "inheritor." The name carries a sense of inheritance, legacy, and continuity.
In Islamic tradition, the term "waris" is often used to refer to those who inherit the teachings and spiritual legacy of the Prophet Muhammad. As such, the name Waris has been closely associated with Islamic culture and religious traditions throughout history.
One of the earliest recorded uses of the name Waris can be found in the Quran, the holy book of Islam. The Quran mentions the concept of inheritance and the rights of heirs, further cementing the name's significance in the Islamic faith.
Historically, the name Waris has been borne by several notable figures. One of the most prominent was Waris Shah (1722-1798), a renowned Punjabi Sufi poet from the Indian subcontinent. His epic poem, "Heer Ranjha," is considered a masterpiece of Punjabi literature and has had a lasting impact on the region's cultural heritage.
Another famous Waris was Waris Ahluwalia (1974-), an Indian-American actor, designer, and model. He has appeared in various films and television shows and is known for his distinctive appearance, often sporting a turban and maintaining his Sikh identity.
In the realm of politics, Waris Mir (1957-), a Pakistani politician, served as the Chief Minister of Balochistan province from 2015 to 2018. His name carried the legacy of his family's political influence in the region.
Waris Dirie (1965-), a Somali model, author, and human rights activist, is another notable figure who bears the name. She is renowned for her work in raising awareness about female genital mutilation and advocating for women's rights globally.
The name Waris has also been present in the world of sports. Waris Siddiqui (1909-1995) was a renowned Pakistani cricketer who played for the Indian cricket team before the partition of India and Pakistan. He was a talented all-rounder and captained the Indian team in several matches.
These examples illustrate the diverse backgrounds and achievements of individuals who have carried the name Waris throughout history, spanning various fields and cultures.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Waris over time
The chart below shows babies named Waris registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1996 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 Waris, the clearest high point is 2024. The latest England and Wales figure is 39 births in 2024, compared with 39 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Waris by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Waris 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 | #1563 | 97 | 5 |
| 2010s | #2792 | 76 | 10 |
| 2000s | #2776 | 40 | 8 |
| 1990s | #2650 | 7 | 2 |
Notable bearers
Famous people named Waris
-
Waris Hussein
television director; film director; screenwriter; director; film actor
Indian-British television and film director
1938-
Related
Names similar to Waris
- 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
Waris: questions and answers
How popular is the name Waris in the UK right now?
In 2024, Waris was ranked #826 for boys in England and Wales, with 39 births registered.
When was Waris most popular?
The peak year on record was 2024, with 39 babies registered as Waris in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Waris?
A masculine Arabic name meaning "heir" or "inheritor".
How many people are called Waris in the UK?
A total of 220 babies have been registered as Waris across the 25 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.