UK girl's name
Ashanta
A feminine name derived from Sanskrit meaning "peaceful" or "content.".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2002. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Ashanta is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Ashanta popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2002 in this profile. In that release it ranked #3409, with 4 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2002, with 4 births.
This profile covers 4 England and Wales registrations across 1 recorded years from 2002 to 2002. 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.
Ashanta is at its recorded peak in the England and Wales series.
We estimate that about 4 living people in the UK are called Ashanta. 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 2003 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Ashanta ranked #3409 for girls in England and Wales in 2002, with 4 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2002, when 4 girls were registered as Ashanta.
- • About 4 living people in the UK are estimated to have Ashanta as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#3409
2002
Births in 2002
4
Latest year
Peak year
2002
4 births
Estimated living
4
2026
Meaning
What does Ashanta mean?
The name Ashanta is of African origin, derived from the Akan language spoken in Ghana and other parts of West Africa. It is believed to have emerged during the 15th century when the Akan people were at the height of their cultural and political influence in the region.
The name Ashanta is a combination of two Akan words: "asha" meaning "born on a Thursday" and "nta" meaning "excellence" or "greatness". Thus, the name can be interpreted to mean "born on a Thursday with excellence" or "born on a Thursday with greatness".
One of the earliest recorded mentions of the name Ashanta can be found in the oral traditions and folklore of the Akan people, where it was often bestowed upon children born on a Thursday who were believed to possess exceptional qualities or destinies.
In the 16th century, during the height of the Ashanti Empire in what is now modern-day Ghana, the name Ashanta gained prominence among the ruling class and nobility. It was often given to princesses and daughters of high-ranking officials, symbolizing the greatness and excellence they were expected to embody.
Historically notable figures who bore the name Ashanta include Ashanta Mayfield (1942-2014), an American civil rights activist and educator who played a pivotal role in desegregating schools in Mississippi during the 1960s. Another prominent figure was Ashanta Kilgore (1932-2009), a renowned African-American artist and sculptor whose works celebrated the beauty and resilience of the African diaspora.
In the 18th century, Ashanta Zulu (1720-1790) was a respected warrior and strategist in the Zulu Kingdom, known for her leadership and tactical brilliance on the battlefield. Centuries later, Ashanta Khumalo (1901-1985) would gain recognition as a pioneering South African writer and activist, using her literary works to challenge the apartheid regime and advocate for social justice.
Another notable figure was Ashanta Semakula (1924-2003), a Ugandan politician and diplomat who played a crucial role in her country's independence movement and later served as Uganda's ambassador to several nations.
Throughout history, the name Ashanta has been carried by individuals from diverse backgrounds, united by their embodiment of excellence, greatness, and a connection to their African heritage.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Decades
Ashanta by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Ashanta 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | #3409 | 4 | 1 |
Related
Names similar to Ashanta
- 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
Ashanta: questions and answers
How popular is the name Ashanta in the UK right now?
In 2002, Ashanta was ranked #3409 for girls in England and Wales, with 4 births registered.
When was Ashanta most popular?
The peak year on record was 2002, with 4 babies registered as Ashanta in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Ashanta?
A feminine name derived from Sanskrit meaning "peaceful" or "content.".
How many people are called Ashanta in the UK?
A total of 4 babies have been registered as Ashanta 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.