NameCensus.

UK surname

Habib

Of Arabic origin, meaning "beloved," "friend," or referring to a person who is loved or adored.

In the 1881 census there were 1 people recorded with the Habib surname, ranking it #34,027 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 1,916, ranked #3,323, up from #34,027 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Ealing, Redbridge and Bradford.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Habib is 1,916 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 191500.0%.

1881 census count

1

Ranked #34,027

Modern count

1,916

2016, ranked #3,323

Peak year

2016

1,916 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • Habib had 1 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #34,027 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 1,916 in 2016, ranked #3,323.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 8 in 1891.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Challenged Multicultural Communities and Students.

Habib surname distribution map

The map shows where the Habib surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.

Distribution map

Habib surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Habib over time

The table below tracks recorded surname counts and rank from the 19th-century census years through the modern adult-register period.

Year Period Count Rank
1861 historical 1 #34,435
1881 historical 1 #34,027
1891 historical 8 #33,550
1901 historical 3 #34,063
1911 historical 8 #32,903
1997 modern 540 #8,782
1998 modern 609 #8,299
1999 modern 679 #7,694
2000 modern 746 #7,136
2001 modern 767 #6,863
2002 modern 880 #6,287
2003 modern 947 #5,849
2004 modern 1,100 #5,184
2005 modern 1,194 #4,776
2006 modern 1,284 #4,487
2007 modern 1,403 #4,224
2008 modern 1,476 #4,090
2009 modern 1,625 #3,831
2010 modern 1,703 #3,760
2011 modern 1,664 #3,785
2012 modern 1,787 #3,504
2013 modern 1,866 #3,426
2014 modern 1,901 #3,391
2015 modern 1,875 #3,402
2016 modern 1,916 #3,323

Geography

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Where Habibs are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around No data. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Ealing, Redbridge, Bradford, Manchester and Westminster. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.

Some modern areas include a three-digit suffix, such as Leeds 110. The suffix is a small-area code, so it stays in the table while the prose uses the plain place name.

Top historical parishes

Rank Parish Area
1 No data No data

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Ealing 028 Ealing
2 Redbridge 030 Redbridge
3 Bradford 034 Bradford
4 Manchester 008 Manchester
5 Westminster 013 Westminster

Forenames

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First names often paired with Habib

These lists show first names that appear often with the Habib surname in historical and recent records.

Historical female names

No Forenames Found

Historical male names

No Forenames Found

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Habib

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Habib, this points to the kinds of places where the surname is most concentrated today.

These neighbourhood labels describe areas, not individual people. They are useful because surnames often cluster through family history, migration, housing patterns and local work. A surname can be strongest in one type of neighbourhood even when people with that name live across the country.

The UK classification gives the national picture. The London classification is more specific to the capital, where housing, age profile, tenure and population mix can look quite different from the rest of the UK.

UK neighbourhood type

UK Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities

Group

Challenged Multicultural Communities and Students

Nationally, the Habib surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Challenged Multicultural Communities and Students, within Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities. This does not mean every Habib household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Married couples with dependent children are common in this Group, with many parents born in Africa or the EU. The representation of residents amongst different ethnic minority groups is high, particularly for individuals of Pakistani ethnic group. For many residents, English is not their main language, and affiliation to Christian religions is less common. Privately rented terrace properties predominate and levels of overcrowding are high. Part time work is common, with many employed in elementary occupations and sales and customer services. There are also many students living within these areas, and overall unemployment levels are high.

Wider pattern

Young adults, many of whom are students, predominate in these high-density and overcrowded neighbourhoods of rented terrace houses or flats. Most ethnic minorities are present in these communities, as are people born in European countries that are not part of the EU. Students aside, low skilled occupations predominate, and unemployment rates are above average. Overall, the mix of students and more sedentary households means that neighbourhood average numbers of children are not very high. The Mixed or Multiple ethnic group composition of neighbourhoods is often associated with low rates of affiliation to Christian religions. This Supergroup predominates in non-central urban locations the UK, particularly within England in the Midlands and the outskirts of west, south and north-east London.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Suburban Asian Communities

Group

Young Asian Family Terraces

Within London, Habib is most associated with areas classed as Young Asian Family Terraces, part of Suburban Asian Communities. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.

Read profile summary

Group profile

These households with dependent children typically live in terraced housing and are of (non-Chinese) Asian extraction. Individuals with Bangladeshi origins are particularly in evidence. Employment is often in elementary occupations or as process, plant or machine operatives, and part-time work is common. Students are much in evidence.

Wider London pattern

Many residents of these neighbourhoods are of (non-Chinese) Asian descent, with many identifying as Indian, Pakistani or Bangladeshi. Neighbourhoods are located across large areas of suburban west, north-east and south London. Detached, semi-detached and terraced houses are more prevalent than flats and socially rented housing is uncommon. Few residents live in communal establishments. Many families have dependent children, sometimes in overcrowded accommodation, and few households are ethnically mixed. Marriage rates are above the London average. The even age distribution, relative absence of individuals living alone and frequent incidence of households with children suggests that multi-generation households may be relatively common. Employment is often in skilled trades, elementary, sales and customer service occupations, and roles as process, plant, and machine operatives. Manufacturing and construction are well represented, along with employment in distribution, hotels, and restaurants. Many adults have only level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. English is not used at home by some residents. Religious affiliation is above average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Habib is most concentrated in decile 10 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the healthier end of the index.

Lower deciles point towards weaker access to healthy assets or stronger exposure to local hazards. Higher deciles point towards stronger access and fewer hazards.

10
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Habib falls in decile 1 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the more deprived end of the index.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

1
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Habib is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 50-60 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

8
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
Other Ethnic Group

This describes the area pattern most associated with Habib, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Habib

The surname Habib has its origins in the Arabic language and culture. It is derived from the Arabic word "habib," which means beloved or darling. The name gained widespread usage among Muslim communities across the Middle East and North Africa.

Historically, the name Habib can be traced back to the 7th century AD, during the early years of the Islamic era. It was a common practice for Arab families to adopt names that reflected their religious beliefs or cultural values. The name Habib, with its connotation of affection and endearment, became a popular choice among Muslim communities.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Habib can be found in the Sahih Bukhari, a renowned collection of hadiths (sayings and actions of the Prophet Muhammad). The book mentions a companion of the Prophet named Habib ibn Abi Thabit, who lived in the 7th century AD.

During the medieval period, the name Habib appeared in various historical records and manuscripts across the Islamic world. For example, the 11th-century Persian scholar and poet, Habib Nayshaburi (born c. 1010 AD), was a prominent figure who bore this surname.

As the Islamic empires expanded, the name Habib spread to different regions, including parts of Europe. In the 13th century, a Muslim ruler named Habib ibn Muhammad al-Wazir governed the city of Valencia in present-day Spain.

In later centuries, the name Habib continued to be associated with influential personalities in various fields. One notable example is the 19th-century Egyptian scholar and reformer, Habib Efendi (1825-1894), who played a significant role in modernizing education in Egypt.

Other prominent individuals with the surname Habib include:

1. Habib Bourguiba (1903-2000), the first President of Tunisia and a leading figure in the Tunisian independence movement. 2. Habib Tanvir (1923-2009), an acclaimed Indian playwright, director, and actor known for his contributions to Hindi theatre. 3. Habib Girgis (born 1988), an American legal scholar and philosopher known for his writings on religious liberty and constitutional law. 4. Habib Siddiqui (born 1948), a Bangladeshi-American writer and activist who has written extensively on issues of human rights and social justice. 5. Habib Fanny (1908-1999), a renowned Algerian musician and composer known for his contributions to the Chaabi music genre.

It is worth noting that while the surname Habib has its roots in Arabic, it has been adopted and adapted by various cultures and communities around the world, reflecting the diverse histories and migrations of people over time.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Habib families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Habib surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.

Top counties

Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Essex leads with 1 Habibs recorded in 1881 and an index of 52.63x.

County Total Index
Essex 1 52.63x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. East Ham in Essex leads with 1 Habibs recorded in 1881 and an index of 2500.00x.

Place Total Index
East Ham 1 2500.00x

FAQ

Habib surname: questions and answers

How common was the Habib surname in 1881?

In 1881, 1 people were recorded with the Habib surname. That placed it at #34,027 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Habib surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 1,916 in 2016. That gives Habib a modern rank of #3,323.

What does the Habib surname mean?

Of Arabic origin, meaning "beloved," "friend," or referring to a person who is loved or adored.

What does the Habib map show?

The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Habib bearers relative to the surrounding population.

What records is this surname page based on?

The historical counts come from census surname records. The modern counts and neighbourhood summaries come from later surname distribution records. Counts are recorded bearers in those records, not a live estimate of everyone with the name today.