UK name, mostly girls
Arshia
A Persian name meaning "sublime" or "lofty".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2019. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Also recorded as a boys' name in the UK, with 40 boys.
Arshia is mostly registered for girls in the UK records. People looking for Arshia popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2019 in this profile. In that release it ranked #5591, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2008, with 9 births.
This profile covers 91 England and Wales registrations across 16 recorded years from 2002 to 2019. 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 91 living people in the UK are called Arshia. 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 2020 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Arshia ranked #5591 for girls in England and Wales in 2019, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2008, when 9 girls were registered as Arshia.
- • Arshia is also recorded for boys, but the girls side is the larger UK variant in these records.
- • About 91 living people in the UK are estimated to have Arshia as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
- • Across the England and Wales records shown here, 69.5% of Arshia registrations are for girls.
Latest rank (E&W)
#5591
2019
Births in 2019
3
Latest year
Peak year
2008
9 births
Estimated living
91
2026
Gender
Boy and girl registrations for Arshia
In England and Wales birth records, Arshia has been registered for both boys and girls. Across the years shown here, 30.5% of registrations are for boys and 69.5% are for girls.
These figures use the sex categories in the published baby-name files. They are useful for spotting how the name is used at registration, but they are not a live measure of gender identity or everyone living with the name today.
Arshia registered for boys
- Ranked #4,608 in 2020
- 3 boys registered in 2020
- Peak: 2007 (7 births)
Arshia registered for girls
- Ranked #5,591 in 2019
- 3 girls registered in 2019
- Peak: 2008 (9 births)
Meaning
What does Arshia mean?
The name Arshia is derived from the Persian language and has its origins in ancient Iran. It is believed to be a variation of the Old Persian name Arsh, which means "throne" or "royal throne." The name Arshia carries a regal and majestic connotation, often associated with royalty and nobility.
In ancient Persian mythology, Arsh was the name of a powerful and benevolent deity, believed to be the guardian of the royal throne. The name Arshia was likely bestowed upon individuals born into noble or royal families, symbolizing their prestigious lineage and potential for greatness.
One of the earliest recorded references to the name Arshia can be found in the ancient Persian epic poem, the Shahnameh, written by the renowned poet Ferdowsi in the late 10th century. In this literary masterpiece, Arshia is mentioned as the name of a valiant warrior and noble prince.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Arshia. One of the most famous was Arshia Khan (1556-1628), a renowned Mughal nobleman and military commander who served under the Mughal emperor Akbar. He played a crucial role in the conquest of the Deccan region in India and was renowned for his bravery and strategic prowess.
Another notable figure was Arshia Sattar (1959-present), an Indian translator, and scholar known for her acclaimed translations of ancient Indian epics, including the Valmiki Ramayana and the Kathasaritsagara. Her work has been instrumental in preserving and promoting the rich literary heritage of India.
In the realm of art, Arshia Siddique (1974-present) is a celebrated Pakistani artist and printmaker. Her works have been exhibited internationally and explore themes of identity, culture, and the human experience. She is renowned for her intricate and symbolic compositions.
The name Arshia has also been associated with intellectual and academic pursuits. Arshia Mukherjee (1974-present) is an Indian scholar and professor of English literature, known for her research on postcolonial literature and theory. Her contributions to the field have earned her widespread acclaim and recognition.
Lastly, Arshia Ghafour (1989-present) is a notable Afghan-American fashion designer and entrepreneur. She founded her eponymous fashion label, which combines traditional Afghan craftsmanship with contemporary design sensibilities, promoting cultural diversity and empowerment.
These are just a few examples of individuals who have carried the name Arshia throughout history, each leaving their mark in various fields and disciplines, from warfare and literature to art, academia, and entrepreneurship.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Arshia over time
The chart below compares boys and girls registered as Arshia in England and Wales, from 2001 to 2020. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Arshia, the clearest high point is 2008. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2019, compared with 9 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Arshia by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Arshia 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 | #4028 | 47 | 8 |
| 2000s | #3379 | 44 | 8 |
Related
Names similar to Arshia
- 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
Arshia: questions and answers
How popular is the name Arshia in the UK right now?
In 2019, Arshia was ranked #5591 for girls in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Arshia most popular?
The peak year on record was 2008, with 9 babies registered as Arshia in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Arshia?
A Persian name meaning "sublime" or "lofty".
How many people are called Arshia in the UK?
A total of 91 babies have been registered as Arshia across the 16 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.