NameCensus.

UK girl's name

Anila

A feminine name of Sanskrit origin meaning "air" or "wind".

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.

Anila is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Anila popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4843, with 4 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 1998, with 11 births.

This profile covers 116 England and Wales registrations across 19 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 36% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.

We estimate that about 115 living people in the UK are called Anila. 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

  • Anila ranked #4843 for girls in England and Wales in 2024, with 4 registrations.
  • The name peaked in 1998, when 11 girls were registered as Anila.
  • About 115 living people in the UK are estimated to have Anila as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.

Latest rank (E&W)

#4843

2024

Births in 2024

4

Latest year

Peak year

1998

11 births

Estimated living

115

2026

Meaning

What does Anila mean?

The name Anila is derived from the Sanskrit word "Anila," which means "wind" or "air." This name has its roots in ancient Indian culture and mythology, where it was often associated with the wind god, Vayu.

In Hindu mythology, Vayu, the god of wind, was considered one of the most powerful deities. He was revered for his ability to bring life-giving breeze and facilitate the movement of clouds, which brought rain for agriculture. The name Anila, being closely tied to the wind element, was often given to children with the hope that they would possess strength, vigor, and a free-spirited nature.

One of the earliest recorded mentions of the name Anila can be found in the ancient Sanskrit epic, the Mahabharata. In this epic, Anila is described as a powerful and swift wind that aided the Pandava brothers in their battles against their cousins, the Kauravas.

Throughout history, there have been several notable individuals who bore the name Anila. One such figure was Anila Devi (1905-1968), a prominent Indian freedom fighter and social activist who played a crucial role in the Indian independence movement. She was known for her unwavering commitment to women's empowerment and her tireless efforts to uplift the underprivileged.

Another notable Anila was Anila Kaushik (1944-2015), a renowned Indian classical dancer and choreographer. She was widely celebrated for her mastery of the Kathak dance form and her contributions to preserving and promoting Indian classical dance on a global stage.

In the realm of literature, Anila Wilcox (1930-2005) was a celebrated Australian author and poet. Her works often explored themes of identity, migration, and the experiences of women in a multicultural society. She was awarded the prestigious Patrick White Award for her contributions to Australian literature.

Anila Quayyum Agha (born 1965) is a contemporary Pakistani-American artist known for her large-scale installations that explore themes of light, shadow, and Islamic architectural motifs. Her work has been exhibited in prestigious galleries and museums around the world, earning her international acclaim.

Finally, Anila Khanzada (born 1958) is a Pakistani politician and women's rights activist. She has served as a member of the National Assembly of Pakistan and has been a vocal advocate for women's empowerment, education, and social justice.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

Popularity

Anila over time

The chart below shows babies named Anila 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 Anila, the clearest high point is 1998. The latest England and Wales figure is 4 births in 2024, compared with 11 at the peak.

Babies born per year

Anila
036811199620102024

Decades

Anila by decade

Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Anila 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 #4843 4 1
2010s #4299 30 6
2000s #3021 51 8
1990s #2076 31 4

Related

Names similar to Anila

FAQ

Anila: questions and answers

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

In 2024, Anila was ranked #4843 for girls in England and Wales, with 4 births registered.

When was Anila most popular?

The peak year on record was 1998, with 11 babies registered as Anila in England and Wales.

What is the meaning and origin of Anila?

A feminine name of Sanskrit origin meaning "air" or "wind".

How many people are called Anila in the UK?

A total of 116 babies have been registered as Anila across the 19 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.