NameCensus.

UK girl's name

Busra

A feminine name of Arabic origin meaning "good news" or "glad tidings".

For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2017. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.

Busra is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Busra popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2017 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4763, with 4 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 1997, with 9 births.

This profile covers 73 England and Wales registrations across 17 recorded years from 1996 to 2017. 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 44% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.

We estimate that about 73 living people in the UK are called Busra. 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 2018 or 2026.

Key insights

  • Busra ranked #4763 for girls in England and Wales in 2017, with 4 registrations.
  • The name peaked in 1997, when 9 girls were registered as Busra.
  • About 73 living people in the UK are estimated to have Busra as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.

Latest rank (E&W)

#4763

2017

Births in 2017

4

Latest year

Peak year

1997

9 births

Estimated living

73

2026

Meaning

What does Busra mean?

The name Busra has its origins in the Arabic language and culture. It is believed to have been derived from the Arabic word "busra," which means "good news" or "glad tidings." This name gained popularity during the Islamic Golden Age, which spanned from the 8th to the 13th centuries.

Busra is mentioned in various historical texts and religious scriptures, including the Quran. In the Quran, the word "busra" is used to refer to the good news of the birth of Prophet Isa (Jesus) to Maryam (Mary). This association with a significant religious event likely contributed to the name's popularity among Muslims.

One of the earliest recorded examples of the name Busra can be found in the writings of the renowned Islamic scholar and historian, Ibn Khaldun (1332-1406 CE). He mentioned a woman named Busra in his work, "The Muqaddimah," which is considered a significant contribution to the fields of historiography, sociology, and philosophy.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Busra. One such person was Busra bint Safwan (c. 610-640 CE), a companion of the Prophet Muhammad and one of the earliest female converts to Islam. She is remembered for her piety and devotion to the religion.

Another famous bearer of the name was Busra al-Khuri (1841-1924), a Syrian poet and writer who played a significant role in the literary renaissance of the Arab world in the 19th century. Her works focused on themes of love, nature, and patriotism, and she is considered one of the pioneers of modern Arabic literature.

In the realm of politics, Busra Khalil (1911-1976) was a prominent Lebanese activist and feminist. She fought for women's rights and played a crucial role in the Lebanese women's movement, advocating for equal rights and opportunities for women in various spheres of life.

Busra Ebrahim (1911-1997) was an Egyptian novelist and short story writer known for her realistic depictions of rural life in Egypt. Her works, such as "The Veil" and "The Scorpion," explored social issues and the struggles faced by women in traditional societies.

Busra Oktar (born 1963) is a contemporary Turkish artist and writer. She is renowned for her abstract paintings and installations, which often explore themes of identity, memory, and cultural influences. Her works have been exhibited in galleries and museums around the world.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

Popularity

Busra over time

The chart below shows babies named Busra registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1996 to 2017. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.

For Busra, the clearest high point is 1997. The latest England and Wales figure is 4 births in 2017, compared with 9 at the peak.

Babies born per year

Busra
02579199620062017

Decades

Busra by decade

Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Busra 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 #5158 22 6
2000s #3859 31 7
1990s #2991 20 4

Related

Names similar to Busra

FAQ

Busra: questions and answers

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

In 2017, Busra was ranked #4763 for girls in England and Wales, with 4 births registered.

When was Busra most popular?

The peak year on record was 1997, with 9 babies registered as Busra in England and Wales.

What is the meaning and origin of Busra?

A feminine name of Arabic origin meaning "good news" or "glad tidings".

How many people are called Busra in the UK?

A total of 73 babies have been registered as Busra across the 17 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.