UK girl's name
Channa
A Hindu masculine name associated with the moon.
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 1999. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Channa is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Channa popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 1999 in this profile. In that release it ranked #3225, with 4 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 1998, with 4 births.
This profile covers 8 England and Wales registrations across 2 recorded years from 1998 to 1999. 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 100% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 8 living people in the UK are called Channa. 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 2000 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Channa ranked #3225 for girls in England and Wales in 1999, with 4 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 1998, when 4 girls were registered as Channa.
- • About 8 living people in the UK are estimated to have Channa as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#3225
1999
Births in 1999
4
Latest year
Peak year
1998
4 births
Estimated living
8
2026
Meaning
What does Channa mean?
The name Channa is believed to have its origins in ancient India, derived from the Sanskrit word "Channa," which means "moon" or "pleasing." This name has been in use since ancient times and has a rich cultural and historical significance.
In Hindu mythology, Channa is mentioned as the name of Arjuna's charioteer during the epic Mahabharata war. Channa played a crucial role in guiding Arjuna's chariot and providing him with strategic advice on the battlefield. This association with a heroic figure in one of the most revered Hindu scriptures has added to the name's significance and popularity.
One of the earliest recorded examples of the name Channa is found in the ancient Buddhist text, the Tripitaka, where it is mentioned as the name of a disciple of the Buddha. This connection to Buddhism further enriches the cultural and religious roots of the name.
Throughout history, several notable figures have borne the name Channa. One of the most famous was Channa Lal (1775-1842), an Indian scholar and poet who made significant contributions to the Punjabi language and literature. His works, particularly the epic poem "Channa di Vaar," have become literary classics.
Another prominent figure was Channa Reddy (1924-2013), an Indian politician and social activist who played a crucial role in the Telangana statehood movement. He served as the first Chief Minister of the newly formed state of Telangana in 2014.
In the field of sports, Channa Bambaiya (1921-2001) was an Indian cricketer who represented the Indian national team in the 1940s and 1950s. He was known for his skillful batting and played a significant role in the development of Indian cricket during its early years.
Channa Malhotra (born 1935) is another notable figure, an Indian classical dancer and choreographer who has made significant contributions to the preservation and promotion of Kathak, one of the major classical dance forms of India.
Lastly, Channa Wickremesekera (1896-1986) was a Sri Lankan politician and diplomat who served as the first Ambassador of Sri Lanka to the United Nations. He played a crucial role in shaping the country's foreign policy during its early years of independence.
These are just a few examples of the many notable individuals who have borne the name Channa throughout history, highlighting its rich cultural and historical significance across various fields and regions.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Channa over time
The chart below shows babies named Channa registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1998 to 1999. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Channa, the clearest high point is 1998. The latest England and Wales figure is 4 births in 1999, compared with 4 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Channa by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Channa 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | #3184 | 8 | 2 |
Related
Names similar to Channa
- Chloe 111,265
- Charlotte 88,733
- Caitlin 28,931
- Courtney 23,162
- Chelsea 13,049
- Clara 9,435
- Connie 8,402
- Catherine 8,376
- Charlie 7,964
- Cerys 7,506
- Casey 7,018
- Cara 6,375
FAQ
Channa: questions and answers
How popular is the name Channa in the UK right now?
In 1999, Channa was ranked #3225 for girls in England and Wales, with 4 births registered.
When was Channa most popular?
The peak year on record was 1998, with 4 babies registered as Channa in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Channa?
A Hindu masculine name associated with the moon.
How many people are called Channa in the UK?
A total of 8 babies have been registered as Channa across the 2 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.