UK girl's name
Davena
A French feminine name possibly derived from the Biblical name David, meaning "beloved".
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.
Davena is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Davena popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 1999 in this profile. In that release it ranked #3900, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 1999, with 3 births.
This profile covers 3 England and Wales registrations across 1 recorded years from 1999 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.
Davena is at its recorded peak in the England and Wales series.
We estimate that about 3 living people in the UK are called Davena. 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
- • Davena ranked #3900 for girls in England and Wales in 1999, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 1999, when 3 girls were registered as Davena.
- • About 3 living people in the UK are estimated to have Davena as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#3900
1999
Births in 1999
3
Latest year
Peak year
1999
3 births
Estimated living
3
2026
Meaning
What does Davena mean?
The name Davena is believed to have originated from the Sanskrit language, with roots dating back to ancient India. It is derived from the Sanskrit word "deva," which means "divine" or "heavenly." This suggests that the name carries a spiritual and transcendent connotation.
In Hindu mythology, devas are a class of celestial beings or deities that are revered for their wisdom and power. The name Davena may have been initially bestowed upon individuals with a deep connection to the divine realm or those deemed to possess exceptional qualities.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Davena can be found in the ancient Hindu scripture, the Mahabharata. In this epic, Davena is mentioned as the name of a wise sage who imparted profound spiritual knowledge to his disciples.
Throughout history, several notable figures have borne the name Davena. One such individual was Davena of Larissa, a Greek philosopher who lived in the 3rd century BCE. She was renowned for her teachings on ethics and virtue, and her writings influenced many subsequent philosophers.
Another prominent figure was Davena al-Kindi, an influential Arabian scholar and mathematician who lived during the 9th century CE. She made significant contributions to the fields of algebra and optics, and her works were widely studied throughout the Islamic Golden Age.
In the 12th century, Davena of Bavaria was a renowned German mystic and author. Her writings on spirituality and the divine influenced many religious movements of her time, and she is revered as a saint by some Christian denominations.
During the Renaissance period, Davena Colombo was an Italian artist and sculptor who lived from 1470 to 1522. She was celebrated for her exquisite marble sculptures, which adorned many churches and public spaces in Italy.
In more recent times, Davena Randolph was a prominent American civil rights activist who lived from 1889 to 1967. She played a crucial role in the fight against racial segregation and discrimination, advocating for equal rights and opportunities for all.
The name Davena has endured through the ages, carrying with it a rich tapestry of spiritual, intellectual, and artistic significance. Its origins in the Sanskrit language and its association with divine wisdom and celestial beings have contributed to its enduring appeal across cultures and generations.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Decades
Davena by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Davena 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 | #3900 | 3 | 1 |
Related
Names similar to Davena
- 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
Davena: questions and answers
How popular is the name Davena in the UK right now?
In 1999, Davena was ranked #3900 for girls in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Davena most popular?
The peak year on record was 1999, with 3 babies registered as Davena in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Davena?
A French feminine name possibly derived from the Biblical name David, meaning "beloved".
How many people are called Davena in the UK?
A total of 3 babies have been registered as Davena 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.