NameCensus.

UK boy's name

Yehia

An Arabic name meaning "life" or "he who lives".

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.

Yehia is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Yehia popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2023 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4991, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2016, with 3 births.

This profile covers 9 England and Wales registrations across 3 recorded years from 2016 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 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 Yehia. 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

  • Yehia ranked #4991 for boys in England and Wales in 2023, with 3 registrations.
  • The name peaked in 2016, when 3 boys were registered as Yehia.
  • About 9 living people in the UK are estimated to have Yehia as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.

Latest rank (E&W)

#4991

2023

Births in 2023

3

Latest year

Peak year

2016

3 births

Estimated living

9

2026

Meaning

What does Yehia mean?

The name Yehia has its origins in the Arabic language, tracing back to the Middle Ages and the spread of Islam across North Africa and the Middle East. It is derived from the Arabic root word "hayya," which means "to live" or "to give life." The name Yehia is a variation of the more common Arabic name Yahya, which is the Arabic equivalent of the biblical name John.

Yehia has been a popular name among Muslims for centuries, as it is believed to be the name of a prophet mentioned in the Quran. In Islamic tradition, Yahya (or Yehia) is considered a messenger of God and is revered for his piety and devotion. The name appears numerous times in the Quran, particularly in Surah Maryam, where it is associated with the story of John the Baptist.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Yehia can be found in the writings of the renowned Arab philosopher and physician Avicenna, also known as Ibn Sina (980-1037 CE). Avicenna's full name was Abu Ali al-Husayn ibn Abd Allah ibn Sina, but he was also known by the name Yehia al-Qanuni, which means "Yehia the Lawgiver."

Throughout history, several notable figures have borne the name Yehia. One of the most famous was Yehia ibn Masawayh (776-857 CE), a Nestorian Christian physician and philosopher who served as the personal physician to several Abbasid caliphs. His medical works were highly influential in the development of medieval Islamic medicine.

Another prominent figure was Yehia al-Antaki (1399-1460 CE), a Syrian-born scholar and linguist who made significant contributions to the study of Arabic grammar and lexicography. He is best known for his work "Al-Mufassal," which became a standard reference for Arabic grammar.

In the realm of literature, Yehia Haqqi (1905-1992) was an Egyptian novelist and playwright who is considered one of the pioneers of the modern Arabic novel. His most celebrated work is the novel "The Lamp of Umm Hashim," which explores themes of social injustice and the struggles of the working class in Egypt.

In the field of music, Yehia Khalil (1904-1971) was an acclaimed Egyptian composer and singer who played a significant role in the development of modern Arabic music. He composed numerous popular songs and film scores, and his works continue to be celebrated in the Arab world.

Finally, Yehia El-Masry (1935-2009) was an Egyptian actor and comedian who achieved widespread popularity for his roles in numerous Egyptian films and television series. He was known for his ability to portray a diverse range of characters and for his comedic timing, earning him the moniker "The Artist of the People."

Sourced from namecensus.com.

Popularity

Yehia over time

The chart below shows babies named Yehia registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2016 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 Yehia, the clearest high point is 2016. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2023, compared with 3 at the peak.

Babies born per year

Yehia
01223201620192023

Decades

Yehia by decade

Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Yehia 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 #4991 3 1
2010s #4780 6 2

Related

Names similar to Yehia

FAQ

Yehia: questions and answers

How popular is the name Yehia in the UK right now?

In 2023, Yehia was ranked #4991 for boys in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.

When was Yehia most popular?

The peak year on record was 2016, with 3 babies registered as Yehia in England and Wales.

What is the meaning and origin of Yehia?

An Arabic name meaning "life" or "he who lives".

How many people are called Yehia in the UK?

A total of 9 babies have been registered as Yehia 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.