UK girl's name
Blanca
A feminine Spanish name derived from "blanco," meaning white or pure.
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.
Blanca is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Blanca popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #3015, with 8 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2015, with 13 births.
This profile covers 125 England and Wales registrations across 19 recorded years from 2002 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 62% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 124 living people in the UK are called Blanca. 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
- • Blanca ranked #3015 for girls in England and Wales in 2024, with 8 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2015, when 13 girls were registered as Blanca.
- • About 124 living people in the UK are estimated to have Blanca as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#3015
2024
Births in 2024
8
Latest year
Peak year
2015
13 births
Estimated living
124
2026
Meaning
What does Blanca mean?
The name Blanca originated from the Spanish language, derived from the word "blanco" meaning "white" or "fair". This name has been in use since the Middle Ages in Spain and other Spanish-speaking regions.
The name Blanca was popular among the Spanish nobility and upper classes during the medieval period. It was often given to children with fair complexions or blonde hair, reflecting the name's meaning.
One of the earliest recorded references to the name Blanca can be found in the 13th-century literary work "El Libro de Buen Amor" by Juan Ruiz, Arcipreste de Hita. In this work, Blanca is mentioned as the name of a character.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have been named Blanca. One of the most famous was Blanca of Navarre (1387-1441), who was the Queen of Navarre from 1425 until her death. She played a significant role in the political affairs of the Kingdom of Navarre during her reign.
Another prominent figure with the name Blanca was Blanca de Castilla (1188-1252), who was the Queen consort of France from 1223 to 1226. She was the daughter of King Alfonso VIII of Castile and acted as regent for her son, Louis IX, during his minority.
In the realm of literature, Blanca de los Ríos (1859-1956) was a Spanish writer, critic, and educator. She was a prominent figure in the Spanish literary circles of the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
The name Blanca also appears in religious contexts. Blessed Blanca of Palencia (1252-1321) was a Spanish nun and mystic who lived in the 13th and 14th centuries. She is recognized as a Blessed by the Catholic Church.
In the world of art, Blanca Luz Brum (1905-1995) was a renowned Uruguayan painter and sculptor. Her works are celebrated for their exploration of abstract forms and geometric shapes.
While the name Blanca has its roots in Spanish-speaking regions, it has gained popularity in other cultures and languages over time. The name's association with purity, fairness, and elegance has contributed to its enduring appeal across various cultures and eras.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Blanca over time
The chart below shows babies named Blanca registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2002 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 Blanca, the clearest high point is 2015. The latest England and Wales figure is 8 births in 2024, compared with 13 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Blanca by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Blanca 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 | #3409 | 33 | 5 |
| 2010s | #3400 | 74 | 10 |
| 2000s | #3908 | 18 | 4 |
Related
Names similar to Blanca
- Bethany 43,226
- Brooke 18,370
- Bella 14,112
- Bonnie 12,149
- Beatrice 11,306
- Bethan 7,968
- Beth 6,440
- Betsy 5,065
- Beatrix 4,317
- Billie 4,220
- Beau 3,231
- Bryony 3,167
FAQ
Blanca: questions and answers
How popular is the name Blanca in the UK right now?
In 2024, Blanca was ranked #3015 for girls in England and Wales, with 8 births registered.
When was Blanca most popular?
The peak year on record was 2015, with 13 babies registered as Blanca in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Blanca?
A feminine Spanish name derived from "blanco," meaning white or pure.
How many people are called Blanca in the UK?
A total of 125 babies have been registered as Blanca across the 19 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.