NameCensus.

UK girl's name

Arika

A feminine name of unknown origin, potentially with African roots.

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.

Arika is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Arika popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #2771, with 9 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2022, with 10 births.

This profile covers 39 England and Wales registrations across 8 recorded years from 2007 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 90% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.

We estimate that about 39 living people in the UK are called Arika. 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

  • Arika ranked #2771 for girls in England and Wales in 2024, with 9 registrations.
  • The name peaked in 2022, when 10 girls were registered as Arika.
  • About 39 living people in the UK are estimated to have Arika as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.

Latest rank (E&W)

#2771

2024

Births in 2024

9

Latest year

Peak year

2022

10 births

Estimated living

39

2026

Meaning

What does Arika mean?

The name Arika has its origins in the Sanskrit language, which was prominent in ancient India. It is believed to have been derived from the Sanskrit word "arika," which means "sun" or "sunbeam." The earliest records of the name date back to the 5th century BCE, during the Vedic period in India.

In Hindu mythology, the sun was considered a powerful and revered deity, often associated with life, warmth, and prosperity. As such, names related to the sun held significant cultural and spiritual significance. Arika was likely bestowed upon children as a way to honor the sun's divine presence and to seek its blessings for the child's well-being and success.

The name Arika found its way into various ancient Hindu texts and scriptures, including the Vedas and the Puranas. These texts often mentioned individuals with this name, though specific details about their lives are scarce. One notable figure was Arika Devi, a revered female saint from the 7th century CE, who was known for her devotion to the goddess Parvati and her spiritual teachings.

In the 11th century, a notable scholar and philosopher named Arika Bhatta lived in the Mithila region of present-day Bihar, India. He made significant contributions to the study of Nyaya philosophy, a branch of Hindu logic and epistemology. His writings and teachings influenced generations of scholars and thinkers.

During the medieval period, the name Arika gained popularity among the warrior class in certain regions of India. One prominent figure was Arika Singh, a brave and skilled warrior from the 16th century who fought against the Mughal Empire. His valor and leadership were celebrated in local folklore and ballads.

In more recent history, Arika Bansal was a renowned Indian classical dancer who lived from 1918 to 2005. She was instrumental in preserving and promoting the Kathak dance form, and her performances were widely acclaimed both in India and internationally.

While the name Arika has its roots in ancient Sanskrit and Hindu culture, it has transcended linguistic and geographical boundaries, finding its way into various cultures and communities around the world. Its connection to the sun and its symbolic significance continue to resonate with many people, ensuring its enduring presence as a beautiful and meaningful name.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

Popularity

Arika over time

The chart below shows babies named Arika registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2007 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 Arika, the clearest high point is 2022. The latest England and Wales figure is 9 births in 2024, compared with 10 at the peak.

Babies born per year

Arika
035810200720152024

Decades

Arika by decade

Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Arika 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 #4215 29 5
2010s #5178 7 2
2000s #5201 3 1

Related

Names similar to Arika

FAQ

Arika: questions and answers

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

In 2024, Arika was ranked #2771 for girls in England and Wales, with 9 births registered.

When was Arika most popular?

The peak year on record was 2022, with 10 babies registered as Arika in England and Wales.

What is the meaning and origin of Arika?

A feminine name of unknown origin, potentially with African roots.

How many people are called Arika in the UK?

A total of 39 babies have been registered as Arika across the 8 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.