UK girl's name
Alka
A Hindu feminine name of Sanskrit origin meaning "bright".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 1996. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Alka is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Alka popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 1996 in this profile. In that release it ranked #3795, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 1996, with 3 births.
This profile covers 3 England and Wales registrations across 1 recorded years from 1996 to 1996. 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.
Alka is at its recorded peak in the England and Wales series.
We estimate that about 3 living people in the UK are called Alka. 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 1997 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Alka ranked #3795 for girls in England and Wales in 1996, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 1996, when 3 girls were registered as Alka.
- • About 3 living people in the UK are estimated to have Alka as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#3795
1996
Births in 1996
3
Latest year
Peak year
1996
3 births
Estimated living
3
2026
Meaning
What does Alka mean?
The name Alka has its origins in the Sanskrit language, which is one of the oldest languages of the Indian subcontinent. The name is derived from the Sanskrit word "alka," which means "a small part" or "a lock of hair." The name Alka has been in use in India for centuries, particularly in the northern and central regions of the country.
One of the earliest known references to the name Alka can be found in the ancient Hindu epic, the Mahabharata. In the epic, Alka is mentioned as the name of a warrior princess who fought alongside the Pandavas in the great battle of Kurukshetra. This suggests that the name has been in use since at least the 4th century BCE, when the Mahabharata is believed to have been composed.
In the historical records of India, one of the earliest known individuals with the name Alka was Alka Devi, a 10th-century princess from the Pratihara dynasty, which ruled parts of northern India during the medieval period. Alka Devi was known for her beauty and intelligence, and her name is often cited as an example of the cultural significance of the name during that time.
Throughout the centuries, several notable individuals have borne the name Alka. One of the most famous was Alka Saraogi (1923-2012), an Indian writer and social activist who was a prominent figure in the women's rights movement in India. Alka Saraogi wrote several books and essays on women's empowerment and social issues, and was awarded the Padma Shri, one of India's highest civilian honors, in 1998.
Another notable Alka was Alka Lamba (born 1975), an Indian politician who has served as a member of the Delhi Legislative Assembly. Alka Lamba has been an outspoken advocate for women's rights and has worked on issues related to education, healthcare, and social welfare.
In the field of sports, Alka Tomar (born 1982) is a well-known Indian boxer who has won several national and international championships. Alka Tomar is a former world champion in the lightweight category and has represented India in multiple Olympic Games.
Alka Yagnik (born 1966) is a renowned Indian playback singer who has lent her voice to numerous Bollywood films and has won numerous awards for her work, including several Filmfare Awards.
While the name Alka has its origins in Sanskrit and India, it has been adopted and used in various parts of the world, particularly among the Indian diaspora communities. However, its roots and historical significance remain deeply rooted in Indian culture and tradition.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Decades
Alka by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Alka 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | #3795 | 3 | 1 |
Related
Names similar to Alka
- 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
Alka: questions and answers
How popular is the name Alka in the UK right now?
In 1996, Alka was ranked #3795 for girls in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Alka most popular?
The peak year on record was 1996, with 3 babies registered as Alka in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Alka?
A Hindu feminine name of Sanskrit origin meaning "bright".
How many people are called Alka in the UK?
A total of 3 babies have been registered as Alka across the 1 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.