NameCensus.

UK girl's name

Akilah

A feminine name of Arabic origin meaning "wise" or "intelligent".

For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2024. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.

Akilah is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Akilah popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #5891, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2014, with 9 births.

This profile covers 88 England and Wales registrations across 21 recorded years from 1996 to 2024. 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 33% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.

We estimate that about 88 living people in the UK are called Akilah. 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 2025 or 2026.

Key insights

  • Akilah ranked #5891 for girls in England and Wales in 2024, with 3 registrations.
  • The name peaked in 2014, when 9 girls were registered as Akilah.
  • About 88 living people in the UK are estimated to have Akilah as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.

Latest rank (E&W)

#5891

2024

Births in 2024

3

Latest year

Peak year

2014

9 births

Estimated living

88

2026

Meaning

What does Akilah mean?

The name Akilah has its origins in the Arabic language and culture. It is derived from the Arabic word "aqeel" or "aqilah," which means intelligent, wise, or rational. The name is believed to have been in use since the early days of Islam, as it carries a positive connotation and reflects a desirable trait.

In Islamic tradition, the name Akilah is not explicitly mentioned in religious scriptures or historical texts. However, its roots can be traced back to the Arabic language, which has had a profound influence on the cultures and societies of the Middle East and North Africa.

The earliest recorded examples of the name Akilah are found in various historical records and documents from the medieval period. One of the notable individuals bearing this name was Akilah bint al-Muhallab, a 7th-century Arab woman known for her intelligence and literary skills.

Throughout history, several influential figures have carried the name Akilah. One such person was Akilah Nuri (1903-1969), an influential Egyptian feminist and activist who played a significant role in advancing women's rights in Egypt during the 20th century.

Another notable Akilah was Akilah Oliver (1961-2011), an American poet and academic known for her experimental writing style and exploration of African-American identity and culture. Her works, such as "A Toast in the House of Bread" and "The She Ant Resurrection," received critical acclaim.

In the field of music, Akilah Hughes (born 1989) is a contemporary American comedian, writer, and YouTube personality who has gained recognition for her humorous and insightful commentary on popular culture and social issues.

Akilah Monifa (born 1970) is an American filmmaker and director who has directed several critically acclaimed documentaries, including "The Truth That Woke Me Up" and "Yes, We're Open," which explore issues of race, identity, and social justice.

Akilah Folami (born 1968) is a renowned American dancer and choreographer who has worked with numerous artists, including Beyoncé, Missy Elliott, and Erykah Badu. She is celebrated for her innovative choreography and contributions to the world of dance and music videos.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

Popularity

Akilah over time

The chart below shows babies named Akilah registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1996 to 2024. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.

For Akilah, the clearest high point is 2014. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2024, compared with 9 at the peak.

Babies born per year

Akilah
02579199620102024

Decades

Akilah by decade

Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Akilah 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
2020s #5345 17 5
2010s #4689 32 7
2000s #3832 31 7
1990s #3254 8 2

Related

Names similar to Akilah

FAQ

Akilah: questions and answers

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

In 2024, Akilah was ranked #5891 for girls in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.

When was Akilah most popular?

The peak year on record was 2014, with 9 babies registered as Akilah in England and Wales.

What is the meaning and origin of Akilah?

A feminine name of Arabic origin meaning "wise" or "intelligent".

How many people are called Akilah in the UK?

A total of 88 babies have been registered as Akilah across the 21 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.