UK girl's name
Astra
A name of Indo-Iranian origin meaning "star".
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.
Astra is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Astra popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #3318, with 7 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 1996, with 9 births.
This profile covers 71 England and Wales registrations across 13 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 78% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 71 living people in the UK are called Astra. 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
- • Astra ranked #3318 for girls in England and Wales in 2024, with 7 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 1996, when 9 girls were registered as Astra.
- • About 71 living people in the UK are estimated to have Astra as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#3318
2024
Births in 2024
7
Latest year
Peak year
1996
9 births
Estimated living
71
2026
Meaning
What does Astra mean?
The name Astra has its origins in several ancient languages and cultures. It is derived from the Latin word "astrum," which means "star." This connection to celestial bodies is also found in the Sanskrit word "astra," meaning "missile" or "thunderbolt," referring to the fiery projectiles associated with gods and goddesses.
The name Astra was used in ancient Roman times, with records showing its presence during the Roman Republic and Empire eras. One of the earliest known individuals with this name was Astra Galla, a Roman woman who lived in the 2nd century AD and was married to the philosopher Claudius Severus.
In Hindu mythology, Astra is the name of a powerful weapon or missile associated with the gods. It is mentioned in several ancient Hindu texts, including the Mahabharata and the Puranas. One notable figure bearing this name was Astra Deva, a legendary warrior and teacher of martial arts who is said to have lived during the Vedic period.
The name Astra also has connections to Greek mythology. In Greek legends, Astra was the name of a nymph who was one of the companions of the goddess Artemis. She was known for her beauty and grace, and her name was often associated with the stars and celestial bodies.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Astra. One of the earliest recorded examples is Astra Satya, a Buddhist monk and scholar who lived in India during the 7th century AD and made significant contributions to the study of Buddhist philosophy and literature.
Another notable figure was Astra Khama, a Persian princess who lived in the 6th century AD and was known for her wisdom and political acumen. She played a crucial role in the affairs of the Sassanid Empire and was respected for her diplomatic skills.
In more recent times, Astra Woodcraft was an American artist and sculptor who lived from 1890 to 1975 and was renowned for her intricate woodcarvings and sculptures inspired by nature and Native American art.
Astra Sharma, born in 1995, is a contemporary Australian professional tennis player who has achieved notable success on the WTA Tour, reaching the third round of several Grand Slam tournaments.
Astra Agervold, born in 1958, is a Danish author and journalist known for her novels and non-fiction works exploring themes of feminism, relationships, and societal issues.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Astra over time
The chart below shows babies named Astra 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 Astra, the clearest high point is 1996. The latest England and Wales figure is 7 births in 2024, compared with 9 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Astra by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Astra 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 | #3290 | 28 | 4 |
| 2010s | #4687 | 13 | 3 |
| 2000s | #4134 | 11 | 3 |
| 1990s | #2602 | 19 | 3 |
Related
Names similar to Astra
- 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
Astra: questions and answers
How popular is the name Astra in the UK right now?
In 2024, Astra was ranked #3318 for girls in England and Wales, with 7 births registered.
When was Astra most popular?
The peak year on record was 1996, with 9 babies registered as Astra in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Astra?
A name of Indo-Iranian origin meaning "star".
How many people are called Astra in the UK?
A total of 71 babies have been registered as Astra across the 13 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.