NameCensus.

UK girl's name

Adilah

A feminine Arabic name meaning "devotee", "follower", or "virtuous".

For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2004. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.

Adilah is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Adilah popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2004 in this profile. In that release it ranked #3725, with 4 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 1998, with 6 births.

This profile covers 26 England and Wales registrations across 6 recorded years from 1996 to 2004. 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 26 living people in the UK are called Adilah. 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 2005 or 2026.

Key insights

  • Adilah ranked #3725 for girls in England and Wales in 2004, with 4 registrations.
  • The name peaked in 1998, when 6 girls were registered as Adilah.
  • About 26 living people in the UK are estimated to have Adilah as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.

Latest rank (E&W)

#3725

2004

Births in 2004

4

Latest year

Peak year

1998

6 births

Estimated living

26

2026

Meaning

What does Adilah mean?

The name Adilah is of Arabic origin, derived from the root word "adl," which means justice or fairness. It is a feminine name that has been used in the Arab world for centuries.

In Arabic culture, names often carry significant meaning and symbolism. The name Adilah reflects the importance placed on justice and equity in Islamic teachings and traditions. It is a name that conveys a sense of righteousness, integrity, and upholding moral principles.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Adilah can be found in the Islamic literature of the 8th century. It is mentioned in several historical accounts and biographical works from that era, suggesting its usage among the Arab population during that time.

Throughout history, several notable women have borne the name Adilah. One of the earliest recorded figures was Adilah bint Malik (born around 670 CE), a renowned scholar and poet from the Umayyad Caliphate. Her literary contributions were highly regarded, and she was celebrated for her intellect and eloquence.

Another influential figure was Adilah al-Kurdi (1155-1262 CE), a Kurdish mystic and Sufi scholar. She was known for her spiritual teachings and her dedication to the pursuit of knowledge. Her writings and poetry have been preserved and studied by scholars of Sufism.

In the 19th century, Adilah al-Jazairi (1818-1887) was a prominent Algerian educator and writer. She established several schools for girls and played a significant role in promoting education and literacy among women in her community.

More recently, Adilah Abu Ayyash (1909-1976) was a Palestinian writer and activist. She was actively involved in the Palestinian national movement and used her literature to raise awareness about the struggles of her people.

Adilah Nasr (born 1972) is a contemporary Egyptian-American novelist and poet. Her works often explore themes of identity, cultural heritage, and the experiences of women in the Arab diaspora. She has received critical acclaim for her literary contributions.

These are just a few examples of notable individuals who have carried the name Adilah throughout history. The name has endured across generations, reflecting the enduring values of justice, fairness, and righteousness that it represents in Arabic culture and tradition.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

Popularity

Adilah over time

The chart below shows babies named Adilah registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1996 to 2004. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.

For Adilah, the clearest high point is 1998. The latest England and Wales figure is 4 births in 2004, compared with 6 at the peak.

Babies born per year

Adilah
02356199620002004

Decades

Adilah by decade

Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Adilah 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
2000s #3567 8 2
1990s #3043 18 4

Related

Names similar to Adilah

FAQ

Adilah: questions and answers

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

In 2004, Adilah was ranked #3725 for girls in England and Wales, with 4 births registered.

When was Adilah most popular?

The peak year on record was 1998, with 6 babies registered as Adilah in England and Wales.

What is the meaning and origin of Adilah?

A feminine Arabic name meaning "devotee", "follower", or "virtuous".

How many people are called Adilah in the UK?

A total of 26 babies have been registered as Adilah across the 6 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.