NameCensus.

UK girl's name

Bahja

A feminine name of Arabic origin meaning "joy" or "happiness".

For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2020. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.

Bahja is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Bahja popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2020 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4535, with 4 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2007, with 8 births.

This profile covers 48 England and Wales registrations across 11 recorded years from 1999 to 2020. 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 50% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.

We estimate that about 48 living people in the UK are called Bahja. 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 2021 or 2026.

Key insights

  • Bahja ranked #4535 for girls in England and Wales in 2020, with 4 registrations.
  • The name peaked in 2007, when 8 girls were registered as Bahja.
  • About 48 living people in the UK are estimated to have Bahja as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.

Latest rank (E&W)

#4535

2020

Births in 2020

4

Latest year

Peak year

2007

8 births

Estimated living

48

2026

Meaning

What does Bahja mean?

The name Bahja originated from the Arabic language, with its roots tracing back to the Middle East and the Arabian Peninsula. It derives from the Arabic word "bahja," which means "delight" or "joy." This name has been in use for centuries, reflecting the cultural and linguistic heritage of the region.

Bahja first appeared in historical records and ancient Arabic texts as early as the 7th century AD. During the Islamic Golden Age, which spanned from the 8th to the 13th centuries, the name gained popularity among scholars, poets, and intellectuals who appreciated its beautiful meaning and association with happiness.

One of the earliest recorded individuals with the name Bahja was Bahja ibn Asad, a renowned Arab poet who lived in the 8th century. His works, which celebrated the beauty of nature and the human experience, have been preserved and studied by scholars throughout the ages.

Another notable figure in history was Bahja al-Mulk, a powerful and influential woman who served as the regent of the Seljuk Empire in the 11th century. Her leadership and political acumen were instrumental in maintaining stability during a period of transition, and she is remembered as a skilled diplomat and patron of the arts.

In the 12th century, Bahja al-Din ibn Shaddad, an Arab historian and biographer, chronicled the life and conquests of Saladin, the celebrated Kurdish sultan who led the Muslim forces against the Crusaders. His detailed accounts provide invaluable insights into the events and personalities of that era.

During the 13th century, Bahja al-Mawsili, a renowned musician and composer from Baghdad, made significant contributions to the development of Arabic music. His innovative compositions and mastery of various instruments earned him widespread acclaim and influenced generations of musicians to come.

Bahja has also been a name carried by individuals who have made their mark in more recent times. One such person was Bahja Abdelfattah, an Egyptian feminist and activist who fought tirelessly for women's rights and equality in the early 20th century. Her advocacy and dedication to social justice inspired countless others to join the struggle for gender equality.

Throughout its long history, the name Bahja has been imbued with a sense of joy, delight, and cultural richness. From poets and historians to rulers and activists, individuals bearing this name have left an indelible mark on their respective fields and societies, embodying the spirit of happiness and celebration that the name represents.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

Popularity

Bahja over time

The chart below shows babies named Bahja registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1999 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 Bahja, the clearest high point is 2007. The latest England and Wales figure is 4 births in 2020, compared with 8 at the peak.

Babies born per year

Bahja
02468199920092020

Decades

Bahja by decade

Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Bahja 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 #4535 4 1
2010s #5163 11 3
2000s #3660 30 6
1990s #3900 3 1

Related

Names similar to Bahja

FAQ

Bahja: questions and answers

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

In 2020, Bahja was ranked #4535 for girls in England and Wales, with 4 births registered.

When was Bahja most popular?

The peak year on record was 2007, with 8 babies registered as Bahja in England and Wales.

What is the meaning and origin of Bahja?

A feminine name of Arabic origin meaning "joy" or "happiness".

How many people are called Bahja in the UK?

A total of 48 babies have been registered as Bahja across the 11 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.