UK girl's name
Akanksha
A Hindu feminine name meaning desire, ambition, or aspiration.
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2014. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Akanksha is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Akanksha popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2014 in this profile. In that release it ranked #5691, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2004, with 4 births.
This profile covers 18 England and Wales registrations across 5 recorded years from 2004 to 2014. 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 75% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 18 living people in the UK are called Akanksha. 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 2015 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Akanksha ranked #5691 for girls in England and Wales in 2014, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2004, when 4 girls were registered as Akanksha.
- • About 18 living people in the UK are estimated to have Akanksha as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#5691
2014
Births in 2014
3
Latest year
Peak year
2004
4 births
Estimated living
18
2026
Meaning
What does Akanksha mean?
The name Akanksha is derived from the Sanskrit language, which has its origins in ancient India. The name has its roots in the Sanskrit word "ank," which means "to desire" or "to wish for." Akanksha, therefore, translates to "desire" or "wish."
In Hindu philosophy and scriptures, the concept of desire and wish is deeply explored. The Upanishads, ancient Hindu philosophical texts, delve into the nature of human desires and their role in the cycle of life and spiritual growth. The name Akanksha may have been inspired by these philosophical concepts, signifying the human longing for fulfillment and enlightenment.
The earliest recorded uses of the name Akanksha can be traced back to ancient Indian literature and historical records. One notable figure bearing this name was Akanksha, a renowned Sanskrit scholar and poet who lived during the 7th century CE. Her literary works, which included poetry and commentaries on ancient texts, were highly regarded during her time and contributed to the preservation of Sanskrit literature.
Throughout history, the name Akanksha has been carried by several influential individuals. Queen Akanksha of the Chalukya dynasty, who ruled in the 7th century CE, was known for her patronage of the arts and her efforts in promoting education and culture. Akanksha Devi, a 12th-century Indian mystic and philosopher, was revered for her spiritual teachings and her contributions to the Bhakti movement, which emphasized devotion and love for the divine.
In more recent times, Akanksha Arora (born 1991) is an Indian actress and model who has appeared in several Bollywood films and television shows. Akanksha Puri (born 1994) is an Indian model and actress who has graced the covers of various fashion magazines and has also ventured into acting.
Akanksha Hazari (born 1986) is an Indian social entrepreneur and the founder of the non-profit organization "Ek Tara," which works towards providing quality education to underprivileged children in India. Her efforts have been recognized with numerous awards and accolades, including the prestigious Nari Shakti Puraskar in 2019.
The name Akanksha continues to be popular in India and among the Indian diaspora worldwide, carrying with it a rich cultural heritage and a profound spiritual significance.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Akanksha over time
The chart below shows babies named Akanksha registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2004 to 2014. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Akanksha, the clearest high point is 2004. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2014, compared with 4 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Akanksha by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Akanksha 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | #5098 | 11 | 3 |
| 2000s | #4641 | 7 | 2 |
Related
Names similar to Akanksha
- Amelia 94,830
- Ava 54,556
- Amy 52,495
- Alice 46,815
- Abigail 45,658
- Amber 31,922
- Anna 27,802
- Alexandra 19,455
- Amelie 18,051
- Abbie 15,971
- Aimee 15,158
- Annabelle 15,120
FAQ
Akanksha: questions and answers
How popular is the name Akanksha in the UK right now?
In 2014, Akanksha was ranked #5691 for girls in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Akanksha most popular?
The peak year on record was 2004, with 4 babies registered as Akanksha in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Akanksha?
A Hindu feminine name meaning desire, ambition, or aspiration.
How many people are called Akanksha in the UK?
A total of 18 babies have been registered as Akanksha across the 5 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.