UK girl's name
Damla
A feminine Turkish name meaning "drop".
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.
Damla is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Damla popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #5891, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2002, with 12 births.
This profile covers 132 England and Wales registrations across 22 recorded years from 1996 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 25% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 131 living people in the UK are called Damla. 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
- • Damla ranked #5891 for girls in England and Wales in 2024, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2002, when 12 girls were registered as Damla.
- • About 131 living people in the UK are estimated to have Damla as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#5891
2024
Births in 2024
3
Latest year
Peak year
2002
12 births
Estimated living
131
2026
Meaning
What does Damla mean?
The name Damla has its roots in the Turkish language, originating from the word "damla," which means "drop" or "droplet." This name has been in use within Turkish-speaking regions for centuries, primarily in modern-day Turkey and parts of the Balkans.
In Turkish culture, the name Damla is often associated with purity, freshness, and beauty, drawing inspiration from the delicate and pristine nature of a single drop of water. It is believed that the name may have been initially bestowed upon children with the hope of them possessing qualities like clarity, innocence, and grace.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Damla can be traced back to the 13th century, when it was mentioned in the works of the renowned Turkish poet and mystic, Rumi. In his poetic verses, Rumi used the term "damla" as a metaphor for the human soul, likening it to a droplet that originated from the divine ocean.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Damla. One of the most prominent figures was Damla Sönmez (1553-1638), a celebrated Ottoman calligrapher and artist who gained fame for her intricate and visually stunning calligraphic works. Her pieces were highly sought after and adorned the walls of mosques and palaces across the Ottoman Empire.
Another noteworthy bearer of the name was Damla Bektaş (1876-1952), a pioneering Turkish feminist and activist who advocated for women's rights and education in the early 20th century. Her efforts played a significant role in shaping the modern feminist movement in Turkey.
In the realm of literature, Damla Karaköse (1901-1985) was a renowned Turkish novelist and short story writer, renowned for her poignant narratives that explored the complexities of human relationships and societal issues. Her works were widely celebrated and earned her numerous accolades.
Moving into the 20th century, Damla Sönmez (1936-2007) was a celebrated Turkish actress who graced both the stage and the silver screen. Her powerful performances and versatility earned her critical acclaim, and she is remembered as one of the most influential actresses in Turkish cinema.
Finally, Damla Topaloğlu (1985-present) is a contemporary Turkish singer and songwriter who has gained widespread popularity in recent years. Her soulful voice and emotive lyrics have resonated with audiences across Turkey and beyond, solidifying her status as a rising star in the Turkish music industry.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Damla over time
The chart below shows babies named Damla registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1996 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 Damla, the clearest high point is 2002. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2024, compared with 12 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Damla by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Damla 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 | #5789 | 6 | 2 |
| 2010s | #4173 | 49 | 9 |
| 2000s | #2444 | 57 | 7 |
| 1990s | #2792 | 20 | 4 |
Related
Names similar to Damla
- Daisy 49,435
- Danielle 13,507
- Darcie 11,010
- Darcy 10,516
- Darcey 9,708
- Delilah 9,098
- Demi 9,052
- Daniella 4,324
- Destiny 3,732
- Diana 3,258
- Dorothy 3,104
- Dolly 2,246
FAQ
Damla: questions and answers
How popular is the name Damla in the UK right now?
In 2024, Damla was ranked #5891 for girls in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Damla most popular?
The peak year on record was 2002, with 12 babies registered as Damla in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Damla?
A feminine Turkish name meaning "drop".
How many people are called Damla in the UK?
A total of 132 babies have been registered as Damla across the 22 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.