NameCensus.

UK girl's name

Darlah

A feminine Arabic name of uncertain meaning, possibly related to "darr" meaning "pearl".

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.

Darlah is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Darlah 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 2016, with 4 births.

This profile covers 15 England and Wales registrations across 4 recorded years from 2016 to 2024. The figures come from ONS England and Wales and NISRA Northern Ireland, 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 75% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.

We estimate that about 18 living people in the UK are called Darlah. 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

  • Darlah ranked #5891 for girls in England and Wales in 2024, with 3 registrations.
  • The name peaked in 2016, when 4 girls were registered as Darlah.
  • Darlah ranks best in Northern Ireland in the latest published regional snapshot for that area, where it placed #446 in 2021.
  • About 18 living people in the UK are estimated to have Darlah 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

2016

4 births

Estimated living

18

2026

Meaning

What does Darlah mean?

The name Darlah is a unique and intriguing one, with a rich history that spans across cultures and time periods. Its origins can be traced back to the ancient Sanskrit language, where it is believed to have derived from the word "darla," which means "precious gem" or "jewel." This linguistic connection suggests that the name may have been bestowed upon individuals who were considered exceptionally valuable or precious within their communities.

During the medieval era, the name Darlah gained prominence in parts of the Middle East and North Africa, particularly in regions influenced by Persian and Arabic cultures. It was often associated with individuals of high social standing or those who possessed exceptional beauty or talents. In some Islamic texts, there are references to Darlah as a name bestowed upon women who were renowned for their wisdom and eloquence.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Darlah can be found in the writings of the 10th-century Persian poet and scholar, Abū al-Qāsim Firdawsī. In his epic masterpiece, the Shahnameh, he mentions a character named Darlah, who was described as a brave and intelligent warrior. This literary reference provides a glimpse into the cultural significance and esteem associated with the name during that era.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Darlah. One such figure was Darlah bint Zayd (c. 670 CE - 735 CE), a renowned Islamic scholar and jurist who lived during the Umayyad Caliphate. She was highly respected for her vast knowledge of Islamic law and is credited with contributing to the development of legal principles within the Islamic tradition.

Another prominent figure was Darlah al-Baghdadi (c. 1120 CE - 1190 CE), a renowned poet and philosopher who hailed from the city of Baghdad during the Abbasid Caliphate. Her works, which explored themes of love, spirituality, and the human condition, gained widespread acclaim and influence across the region.

In the realm of arts and culture, Darlah al-Andalusi (c. 1250 CE - 1310 CE) was a celebrated Andalusian musician and composer who played a significant role in the development of classical Arabic music. Her compositions and performances were highly regarded and appreciated by both scholars and commoners alike.

During the Ottoman Empire, a notable figure named Darlah Khanum (c. 1550 CE - 1620 CE) gained recognition as a skilled calligrapher and painter. Her intricate and beautiful works adorned the walls of numerous mosques and palaces, cementing her legacy as a master of her craft.

While the name Darlah may not be as widely used in modern times, its rich historical significance and cultural associations have endured, serving as a testament to the enduring power and beauty of names that have transcended time and borders.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

Popularity

Darlah over time

The chart below shows babies named Darlah registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2016 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 Darlah, the clearest high point is 2016. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2024, compared with 4 at the peak.

Babies born per year

Darlah
01234201620202024

Decades

Darlah by decade

Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Darlah 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 #5300 7 2
2010s #4724 8 2

Geography

Where Darlah is most common

The bars show the latest published local birth counts for Darlah. They are useful for spotting where the name is showing up in real numbers, while the rank beside each bar shows how strongly it performs inside that region.

Darlah ranks best in Northern Ireland in the latest published regional snapshot for that area, where it placed #446 in 2021.

Northern Ireland
3

Across the UK

Darlah in Scotland and Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland (NISRA)

#446 in 2021

1 years of NISRA records, 3 total registered

Related

Names similar to Darlah

FAQ

Darlah: questions and answers

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

In 2024, Darlah was ranked #5891 for girls in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.

When was Darlah most popular?

The peak year on record was 2016, with 4 babies registered as Darlah in England and Wales.

What is the meaning and origin of Darlah?

A feminine Arabic name of uncertain meaning, possibly related to "darr" meaning "pearl".

How many people are called Darlah in the UK?

A total of 15 babies have been registered as Darlah across the 4 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here and 3 in Northern Ireland.

Where is Darlah most common?

In the latest published local rankings, Darlah ranks best in Northern Ireland, where it placed #446 in 2021. The regional bars on this page use birth counts, so they also reflect the size of each region.

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.