UK girl's name
Danaya
A feminine name derived from Sanskrit meaning "the gift of God".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2023. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Danaya is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Danaya popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2023 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4709, with 4 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2015, with 10 births.
This profile covers 53 England and Wales registrations across 11 recorded years from 2009 to 2023. 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 40% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 53 living people in the UK are called Danaya. 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 2024 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Danaya ranked #4709 for girls in England and Wales in 2023, with 4 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2015, when 10 girls were registered as Danaya.
- • About 53 living people in the UK are estimated to have Danaya as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#4709
2023
Births in 2023
4
Latest year
Peak year
2015
10 births
Estimated living
53
2026
Meaning
What does Danaya mean?
The name Danaya is believed to have originated from the Sanskrit language, which is an ancient Indo-Aryan language that has been in use since around the 2nd millennium BCE. It is thought to be derived from the Sanskrit word "dana," which means generosity or charity. The name Danaya is often interpreted to mean "the giver" or "the generous one."
In ancient Hindu texts and scriptures, such as the Vedas and the Upanishads, there are references to the concept of dana, which is considered a virtuous act and a way to attain spiritual merit. The name Danaya may have been given to individuals who were known for their charitable nature or their acts of generosity.
One of the earliest recorded examples of the name Danaya can be found in the ancient Indian epic, the Mahabharata, which dates back to around the 8th century BCE. In this epic, there is a character named Danaya who is described as a wise and learned sage.
Throughout history, there have been several notable individuals who bore the name Danaya. One such person was Danaya Atreya, who lived around the 7th century BCE and was a renowned scholar and philosopher in ancient India. He is known for his contributions to the field of Ayurveda, the traditional system of medicine in India.
Another notable figure was Danaya Bhatta, who lived in the 16th century CE and was a prominent Hindu philosopher and scholar. He wrote several influential works on Hindu philosophy and is considered a significant figure in the Advaita Vedanta tradition.
In more recent times, Danaya Mendis was a Sri Lankan author and poet who lived from 1901 to 1965. She is renowned for her contributions to Sinhala literature and her works that explored themes of love, nature, and cultural identity.
Danaya Eshe was an American singer and songwriter who gained popularity in the 1990s and early 2000s. She was known for her soulful voice and her blend of R&B, jazz, and pop music.
Lastly, Danaya Calica is a contemporary Filipino actress and model who has appeared in numerous television shows and films. She is known for her versatile acting skills and her ability to portray a wide range of characters.
These are just a few examples of individuals who have carried the name Danaya throughout history, each making their mark in their respective fields and contributing to the rich tapestry of human culture and achievement.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Danaya over time
The chart below shows babies named Danaya registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2009 to 2023. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Danaya, the clearest high point is 2015. The latest England and Wales figure is 4 births in 2023, compared with 10 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Danaya by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Danaya 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 | #4574 | 13 | 3 |
| 2010s | #4428 | 37 | 7 |
| 2000s | #5556 | 3 | 1 |
Related
Names similar to Danaya
- 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
Danaya: questions and answers
How popular is the name Danaya in the UK right now?
In 2023, Danaya was ranked #4709 for girls in England and Wales, with 4 births registered.
When was Danaya most popular?
The peak year on record was 2015, with 10 babies registered as Danaya in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Danaya?
A feminine name derived from Sanskrit meaning "the gift of God".
How many people are called Danaya in the UK?
A total of 53 babies have been registered as Danaya across the 11 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.