UK boy's name
Young
Youthful, energetic, or of early age.
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2003. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Young is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Young popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2003 in this profile. In that release it ranked #3467, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 1997, with 5 births.
This profile covers 15 England and Wales registrations across 4 recorded years from 1997 to 2003. 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 60% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 15 living people in the UK are called Young. 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 2004 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Young ranked #3467 for boys in England and Wales in 2003, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 1997, when 5 boys were registered as Young.
- • About 15 living people in the UK are estimated to have Young as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#3467
2003
Births in 2003
3
Latest year
Peak year
1997
5 births
Estimated living
15
2026
Meaning
What does Young mean?
The name Young is an English given name derived from the Old English word "geong," which means "young." This name has been used throughout the English-speaking world for centuries.
The earliest recorded instances of the name Young can be traced back to the Anglo-Saxon period in England, around the 5th to 11th centuries AD. During this time, the name was commonly used as a descriptive name, referring to someone who was young or youthful.
In the Middle Ages, the name Young gained popularity and was often used as a symbolic name to represent the qualities of youth, such as energy, vitality, and potential. It was also used as a nickname for someone who appeared younger than their age.
One of the earliest known historical figures with the name Young was Young of Esslingen, a German monk and chronicler who lived in the 11th century. He is known for writing a chronicle about the history of his monastery.
During the Renaissance period, the name Young became more widespread across Europe. A notable figure with this name was Young Gresley, an English soldier and explorer who lived in the 16th century. He was known for his adventures in the New World and his expeditions to the West Indies.
In the 17th century, the name Young gained popularity in Scotland and Ireland. One of the most famous Scots with this name was Young Ged, a renowned philosopher and mathematician who lived from 1713 to 1785. He made significant contributions to the field of geometry and was a member of the Royal Society of Edinburgh.
Another notable figure with the name Young was Young Townsend, an American politician and lawyer who lived from 1774 to 1859. He served as a member of the United States House of Representatives and was instrumental in the development of the Erie Canal in New York.
In the 19th century, the name Young became more popular in the United States. One of the most famous Americans with this name was Young Brigham, the second president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, who lived from 1801 to 1877. He played a significant role in leading the Mormon pioneers to the Salt Lake Valley and establishing the state of Utah.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Young over time
The chart below shows babies named Young registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1997 to 2003. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Young, the clearest high point is 1997. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2003, compared with 5 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Young by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Young 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | #3064 | 10 | 3 |
| 1990s | #2022 | 5 | 1 |
Related
Names similar to Young
- Yusuf 11,801
- Yahya 5,758
- Yunus 2,009
- Yaseen 1,799
- Yasin 1,797
- Yuvraj 1,605
- Yaqub 1,517
- Yousef 1,489
- Yousuf 1,454
- Yasir 1,056
- Yash 876
- Youssef 749
FAQ
Young: questions and answers
How popular is the name Young in the UK right now?
In 2003, Young was ranked #3467 for boys in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Young most popular?
The peak year on record was 1997, with 5 babies registered as Young in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Young?
Youthful, energetic, or of early age.
How many people are called Young in the UK?
A total of 15 babies have been registered as Young across the 4 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.