Ihsan
Meaningexcellence, kindness · Arabic
Ihsan is an Arabic gender-neutral name meaning “excellence, kindness”. Arabic names are often chosen for a virtue or a blessing parents hope their child will carry. A meaning like this gives a child something to grow into, and a good story to tell when someone asks about their name. It sounds crisp and confident, it's easy to spell and quick to call across a playground, and it pairs well with middle names of almost any length. It suits a boy or a girl equally well.
Did you know?
- GenerationIhsan is having its moment right now. Most Ihsans are still in diapers or at preschool, so picture a Gen Alpha or Gen Beta kid.
- Roll callIn a typical school of 500 kids, your Ihsan would very likely be the only one. About 1 in 39,683 baby boys got the name in 2025.
- HistoryIhsan first shows up in US birth records in 1974, the first year at least 5 babies got it. It has been in use for 51 years since.
- Boy or girlIhsan truly works for either: 83% of the 52 babies named Ihsan in 2025 were boys, the rest girls.
US births per million girls, 2016–2025
US births per million boys, 1974–2025
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Popularity: U.S. Social Security Administration (babies with 5+ births per year).
About the name Ihsan
Ihsan is a gender-neutral name of Arabic origin meaning “excellence, kindness”. Its two syllables give it an easy rhythm, and the consonant at the end gives it a confident finish. It has been around for generations, yet it's never been more loved than it is today. It's rarely heard today, so it stands out while still being a real, established name. It works for a boy or a girl, which suits parents who'd like a name that doesn't signal gender.
Origin:Arabic names
More Arabic names
- Girl name: Eleanor · possibly light
- Girl name: Layla · night
- Boy name: Caleb · dog, faithful
- Boy name: Silas · of the forest
- Boy name: Aaron · possibly exalted
- Girl name: Lyla · night
- Girl name: Aaliyah · exalted
- Boy name: Amir · prince, commander
Questions about the name Ihsan
What does the name Ihsan mean?
Ihsan means “excellence, kindness” and comes from Arabic. Other gender-neutral names with a similar meaning include Shreyas (“excellence, merit”), Alaa (“nobility, excellence”) and Utkarsh (“excellence, rise”).
What is the origin of the name Ihsan?
Ihsan is Arabic in origin. Other Arabic names to consider are Eleanor (“possibly light”), Layla (“night”), Caleb (“dog, faithful”) and Silas (“of the forest”).
Is Ihsan a boy or girl name?
Both. Ihsan is a true gender-neutral name used for boys and girls: in 2025, 17% of US babies named Ihsan were girls and 83% were boys. That balance makes it a good pick if you'd like a name that doesn't signal gender.
How popular is the name Ihsan?
Ihsan ranked #2,884 for US boys in 2025, given to 43 babies. That's its best rank ever: the name is at the height of its popularity right now. Over the last five years it has climbed 1,136 places.
What names are similar to Ihsan?
If you like Ihsan, you might also like Shreyas, Alaa and Utkarsh.
What should I know before naming my baby Ihsan?
Ihsan is an Arabic gender-neutral name meaning “excellence, kindness”. Arabic names are often chosen for a virtue or a blessing parents hope their child will carry. A meaning like this gives a child something to grow into, and a good story to tell when someone asks about their name. It sounds crisp and confident, it's easy to spell and quick to call across a playground, and it pairs well with middle names of almost any length. It suits a boy or a girl equally well. Say it out loud with your last name and any middle names you're considering, and check the initials it makes.