Find out how popular the first name Ihsan has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Ihsan by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Ihsan is more commonly used as a male name, with approximately 94% of people named Ihsan being male.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 37 male babies and 5 female babies born with the name Ihsan.

Yes—according to the SSA data, 5 baby girls were named Ihsan in 2023, despite it being a predominantly male name. We'd love to know why!

The history of the first name Ihsan

The name Ihsan originates from the Arabic language and has its roots in the Islamic culture. It is derived from the Arabic word "ihsan," which means "excellence" or "perfection." The name has been in use for centuries and is associated with virtues such as kindness, compassion, and benevolence.

Ihsan is mentioned in the Quran, the holy book of Islam, as a concept that emphasizes the importance of doing good deeds with sincerity and excellence. The Quranic verse, "Verily, Allah enjoins justice and ihsan (excellence)," (Quran 16:90) highlights the significance of this name and its meaning.

One of the earliest recorded examples of the name Ihsan can be found in the famous work of Islamic literature, "The Book of Misers" by Al-Jahiz, a 9th-century Arab prose writer and literary theorist. In this book, Al-Jahiz mentions a character named Ihsan ibn Thabit, who was known for his generosity and good deeds.

Throughout history, several notable figures have borne the name Ihsan. One such individual was Ihsan Doğramacı (1915-2010), a Turkish physician and academician who played a significant role in establishing the Hacettepe University in Ankara and served as its first rector. He was also the founder of the World Health Organization's International Children's Center and received numerous awards and honors for his contributions to medicine and education.

Another prominent figure was Ihsan al-Nuri (1834-1892), an Ottoman statesman and historian who served as the Grand Vizier of the Ottoman Empire from 1887 to 1891. He was known for his efforts to modernize the Ottoman Empire and his historical writings, including "The History of Baghdad."

In the field of literature, Ihsan Abdel Quddous (1919-1990) was an Egyptian novelist, playwright, and journalist. His works, such as "I Am Free" and "The Prostitute," tackled social and political issues in Egypt and contributed significantly to the development of modern Arabic literature.

Ihsan Ali al-Shurji (1898-1969) was an Iraqi poet and writer who played a prominent role in the Iraqi literary renaissance of the 20th century. His poetry collections, including "The Book of Roses" and "The Book of Love," were widely acclaimed and celebrated for their lyrical beauty and emotional depth.

Lastly, Ihsan Seddon (1923-2021) was a New Zealand politician and the first woman of Pacific Island descent to be elected to the New Zealand Parliament. She served as a member of parliament from 1972 to 1981 and was known for her advocacy for women's rights and social justice.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Ihsan was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Ihsan, please contact us.

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