Liiban
A masculine Somali name meaning "fragrant, having a pleasant scent".
Name Census estimates that about 6 living Americans carry the first name Liiban. The name is used almost exclusively for boys. The average person named Liiban today is around 20 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Liiban births was 2006 (6 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Liiban. Below you will find a gender breakdown showing how the name splits between male and female registrations, a year-by-year popularity chart stretching back to 1880, decade-level totals, the top US states for this name, its meaning and etymology, and a set of frequently asked questions with data-backed answers.
For a British comparison, Name Census UK has a UK baby-name profile for Liiban with official rankings and popularity over time.
Key insights
- • Fewer than 100 living Americans are believed to carry the name Liiban. It is among the rarest names in the SSA records.
People living today
6
~ 1 in 57,125,723 Americans
Peak year
2006
6 babies that year
Average age
20
years old
2006 SSA rank
#11,495
Tracked since 2006
Popularity
Liiban: popularity over time
Babies born per year
Decades
Liiban by decade
The table below breaks the full SSA timeline into ten-year windows. Each row shows how many male and female babies were given the name Liiban during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
| Decade | Male | Female | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 6 | 0 | 6 |
Origin
Meaning and history of Liiban
The given name Liiban has its origins in the Somali language and culture, with roots dating back to ancient times. It is derived from the Arabic word "liban," which means "frankincense" or "incense." The name is associated with the aromatic resin obtained from certain trees, which was highly valued in ancient civilizations for its fragrant properties and use in religious rituals and ceremonies.
Liiban is believed to have been a popular name among the Somali people, who have a rich cultural heritage and a strong connection to the incense trade. The name may have been bestowed upon children as a symbol of purity, spiritual significance, or as a reflection of the family's involvement in the incense trade.
In Islamic history, the name Liiban is mentioned in various texts and religious scriptures, often in reference to the frankincense used in religious ceremonies and rituals. The Quran, for example, mentions the use of frankincense in certain verses, highlighting its significance in Islamic traditions.
One of the earliest recorded individuals with the name Liiban was a renowned Somali poet and scholar who lived in the 17th century. He was renowned for his contributions to Somali literature and his mastery of the Somali language.
Another notable figure with the name Liiban was a 19th-century Somali warrior and leader who played a significant role in defending his people against colonial forces. His bravery and leadership skills were widely celebrated, and he became a symbol of resistance and pride for the Somali people.
In the 20th century, Liiban Mohamed, a Somali politician and diplomat, made significant contributions to his country's independence and international relations. He served as Somalia's ambassador to several countries and played a crucial role in promoting Somali interests on the global stage.
Additionally, Liiban Abdi was a renowned Somali artist and poet who gained recognition for his work in preserving and promoting Somali cultural heritage through his art and literary works. His poems and paintings celebrated the beauty and richness of Somali traditions and identity.
Another notable figure with the name Liiban was Liiban Hussein, a Somali entrepreneur and philanthropist who made significant contributions to economic development and charitable initiatives in his community. He was widely respected for his business acumen and commitment to social responsibility.
These are just a few examples of individuals who have carried the name Liiban throughout history, each making their mark in various fields and contributing to the rich tapestry of Somali culture and society.
People
Liiban + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Liiban as the first name? Click a combination below to see the estimate, or search any pairing.
Related
Other names starting with L
Other first names starting with L with a similar number of bearers.
FAQ
Liiban: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Liiban?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 6 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Liiban going back to 1880 and adjusting each cohort for expected survival using CDC actuarial life tables. The result is an age-weighted living-bearer count, not a raw birth total. That works out to about 1 in 57,125,723 US residents.
Is Liiban a common name?
We classify Liiban as "Very Rare". It ranks above 22.3% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 6 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Liiban most popular?
The single biggest year for Liiban was 2006, when 6 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Liiban is about 20 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
What does the SSA popularity chart show?
The chart tracks births, not the number of people alive with the name today. Each point shows how many babies were given the name Liiban in that year. That makes it useful for spotting when the name rose, peaked, or faded.
Is Liiban a male name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Liiban in the SSA data are male. You can see the full per-sex comparison in the gender distribution section above, which includes the latest year rank, birth count, and peak year for each sex.
Is Liiban still being used today?
Yes. The SSA still recorded Liiban in 2024, and the page above shows its latest-year rank where available. A name can be well past its peak and still remain in steady use, especially if it built up a large population over earlier decades.
Why can a name have a lot of living bearers even if it is not trendy now?
Because living-bearer counts and current baby-name popularity measure different things. A name like Liiban can build up a very large population over many decades, even if fewer parents are choosing it now than they did at its peak.
Where does this data come from?
First-name figures come from the Social Security Administration's national baby name files, which cover every name on a birth certificate from 1880 to 2024. Living-bearer estimates layer in CDC actuarial life tables broken out by sex to account for mortality. The population baseline (342,754,338) is the Census Bureau's latest national estimate. You can read the full calculation on our methodology page.
Does every first name have Census demographic data?
No. The public Census first-name release only covers names that met the Bureau's publication rules, so many rarer names in the SSA files do not have a published Census demographic snapshot. In those cases, the page still shows the SSA trend, gender history, and state data.
How many people share the name Liiban?
Find out how many Americans are named Liiban on our sister site HowManyOfMe.org — a quick modern estimate with the living-bearer count front and centre.