UK girl's name
Chanta
Feminine name of Thai origin meaning "moon" or "moonlight".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 1996. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Chanta is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Chanta popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 1996 in this profile. In that release it ranked #3795, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 1996, with 3 births.
This profile covers 3 England and Wales registrations across 1 recorded years from 1996 to 1996. 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.
Chanta is at its recorded peak in the England and Wales series.
We estimate that about 3 living people in the UK are called Chanta. 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 1997 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Chanta ranked #3795 for girls in England and Wales in 1996, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 1996, when 3 girls were registered as Chanta.
- • About 3 living people in the UK are estimated to have Chanta as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#3795
1996
Births in 1996
3
Latest year
Peak year
1996
3 births
Estimated living
3
2026
Meaning
What does Chanta mean?
The name Chanta is believed to have its origins in the Sanskrit language, which is an ancient Indo-Aryan language of South Asia. It is thought to be derived from the Sanskrit word "chandan," which means "sandalwood." Sandalwood is a highly valued aromatic wood that has been used for centuries in religious ceremonies, perfumes, and traditional medicines.
In Hinduism, sandalwood is considered a sacred material and is often used in rituals and ceremonies. It is associated with purity, calmness, and spiritual enlightenment. The name Chanta may have been given to individuals as a way to bestow these qualities upon them or to honor the significance of sandalwood in Hindu culture.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Chanta can be found in ancient Hindu texts, such as the Vedas and the Upanishads, which date back to around 1500 BCE to 600 BCE. These texts often mention the use of sandalwood in religious ceremonies and rituals, suggesting that the name may have been in use during this time period.
Throughout history, there have been several notable individuals who have borne the name Chanta. One such person was Chanta Devi, a Hindu saint and mystic who lived in the 16th century CE. She was known for her devotion to the Hindu deity Krishna and is said to have performed miracles and possessed spiritual powers.
Another famous Chanta was Chanta Singh, a Sikh warrior and military leader who lived in the 17th century CE. He played a crucial role in the defense of the Sikh faith against the Mughal Empire and is celebrated for his bravery and leadership on the battlefield.
In the 20th century, Chanta Bai was a renowned Indian classical dancer and choreographer. She was born in 1915 and was widely recognized for her contributions to the preservation and promotion of traditional Indian dance forms, such as Kathak and Bharatanatyam.
Chanta Patnaik was an Indian poet and writer who lived from 1934 to 2018. He was a prolific author who wrote in the Odia language and was celebrated for his contributions to the literary landscape of Odisha, a state in eastern India.
Lastly, Chanta Bhandari was a Nepalese politician and activist who was born in 1959. She was a prominent figure in the Nepalese women's rights movement and worked tirelessly to promote gender equality and empower women in her country.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Decades
Chanta by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Chanta 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 | #3795 | 3 | 1 |
Related
Names similar to Chanta
- 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
Chanta: questions and answers
How popular is the name Chanta in the UK right now?
In 1996, Chanta was ranked #3795 for girls in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Chanta most popular?
The peak year on record was 1996, with 3 babies registered as Chanta in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Chanta?
Feminine name of Thai origin meaning "moon" or "moonlight".
How many people are called Chanta in the UK?
A total of 3 babies have been registered as Chanta across the 1 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.