NameCensus.

UK name, mostly boys

Zihan

A name of Chinese origin representing intelligence and wisdom.

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.

Zihan is mostly registered for boys in the UK records. People looking for Zihan popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4270, with 4 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2015, with 6 births.

This profile covers 39 England and Wales registrations across 10 recorded years from 2011 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.

The latest count is about 67% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.

We estimate that about 39 living people in the UK are called Zihan. 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

  • Zihan ranked #4270 for boys in England and Wales in 2024, with 4 registrations.
  • The name peaked in 2015, when 6 boys were registered as Zihan.
  • About 39 living people in the UK are estimated to have Zihan as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
  • Across the England and Wales records shown here, 84.8% of Zihan registrations are for boys.

Latest rank (E&W)

#4270

2024

Births in 2024

4

Latest year

Peak year

2015

6 births

Estimated living

39

2026

Gender

Boy and girl registrations for Zihan

In England and Wales birth records, Zihan has been registered for both boys and girls. Across the years shown here, 84.8% of registrations are for boys and 15.2% are for girls.

These figures use the sex categories in the published baby-name files. They are useful for spotting how the name is used at registration, but they are not a live measure of gender identity or everyone living with the name today.

85% boys
15% girls
Boys39 (84.8%)Girls7 (15.2%)

Zihan registered for boys

  • Ranked #4,270 in 2024
  • 4 boys registered in 2024
  • Peak: 2015 (6 births)

Zihan registered for girls

  • Ranked #5,545 in 2008
  • 3 girls registered in 2008
  • Peak: 2007 (4 births)

Meaning

What does Zihan mean?

The name Zihan has its origins in the Persian language and culture, dating back to ancient times. It is derived from the Persian word "zih," meaning "life," and "an," meaning "that one." Together, the name Zihan signifies "that life" or "the one who lives."

In the historical context, the name Zihan was often associated with individuals who were considered to be life-givers or protectors of life. It was a name bestowed upon those who demonstrated courage, resilience, and a deep reverence for the sanctity of life.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Zihan can be found in the ancient Persian epic poem, the Shahnameh, written by the renowned poet Ferdowsi in the late 10th and early 11th centuries. In this literary masterpiece, a character named Zihan is depicted as a brave warrior who fought valiantly for his people and their way of life.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Zihan. One such figure was Zihan al-Tabari, a renowned Persian historian and scholar who lived from 838 to 923 AD. His monumental work, the "History of the Prophets and Kings," is regarded as one of the most comprehensive and authoritative chronicles of early Islamic history.

Another prominent figure was Zihan al-Baghdadi, a celebrated mathematician and astronomer who lived in Baghdad during the 9th century AD. He made significant contributions to the fields of algebra and trigonometry, and his works influenced the development of scientific thought in the Islamic Golden Age.

In the realm of literature, Zihan Mirza was a revered Persian poet who lived from 1640 to 1711. His poetry, known for its profound themes and exquisite imagery, has left an indelible mark on the Persian literary tradition.

During the 19th century, Zihan Khan was a prominent Afghan military leader and statesman. He played a pivotal role in the Afghan struggle against British colonial rule and is remembered for his bravery and unwavering dedication to his country's independence.

It is worth noting that while the name Zihan has its roots in the Persian language and culture, it has also been adopted and adapted by various other cultures and communities around the world, each imbuing it with their own unique meanings and significance.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

Popularity

Zihan over time

The chart below compares boys and girls registered as Zihan in England and Wales, from 2007 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 Zihan, the clearest high point is 2015. The latest England and Wales figure is 4 births in 2024, compared with 6 at the peak.

Babies born per year

BoysGirls
02356200720152024

Decades

Zihan by decade

Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Zihan 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 #4008 17 4
2010s #4298 22 6

Related

Names similar to Zihan

FAQ

Zihan: questions and answers

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

In 2024, Zihan was ranked #4270 for boys in England and Wales, with 4 births registered.

When was Zihan most popular?

The peak year on record was 2015, with 6 babies registered as Zihan in England and Wales.

What is the meaning and origin of Zihan?

A name of Chinese origin representing intelligence and wisdom.

How many people are called Zihan in the UK?

A total of 39 babies have been registered as Zihan across the 10 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.