UK girl's name
Deepa
An Indian feminine name meaning "light" or "lamp".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2004. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Deepa is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Deepa popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2004 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4598, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 1997, with 9 births.
This profile covers 28 England and Wales registrations across 6 recorded years from 1996 to 2004. 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 33% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 28 living people in the UK are called Deepa. 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 2005 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Deepa ranked #4598 for girls in England and Wales in 2004, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 1997, when 9 girls were registered as Deepa.
- • About 28 living people in the UK are estimated to have Deepa as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#4598
2004
Births in 2004
3
Latest year
Peak year
1997
9 births
Estimated living
28
2026
Meaning
What does Deepa mean?
The name Deepa has its roots in the Sanskrit language, originating from the Indian subcontinent. It derives from the Sanskrit word "deepa," which means "lamp" or "light." This name has been used in various forms across several Indian languages, including Hindi, Bengali, and Tamil.
In Hinduism, the term "deepa" holds significant symbolism, representing the dispelling of darkness and ignorance through the illumination of knowledge and wisdom. Lamps and lights play a crucial role in various Hindu rituals and festivals, making the name Deepa a profound and auspicious choice.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Deepa can be found in ancient Hindu texts and scriptures, such as the Vedas and the Puranas, where it is often used as a metaphor for enlightenment and spiritual guidance.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Deepa. One of the earliest was Deepa Devi (1053 - 1092), a Rajput queen and warrior from the Chahamana dynasty, renowned for her valor and bravery in battles against invading forces.
Another prominent figure was Deepa Mehta (born 1950), an acclaimed Indian-Canadian film director and screenwriter known for her thought-provoking and often controversial works that explore social and cultural themes.
In the realm of literature, Deepa Narayan (born 1957) is a renowned Indian-American author and scholar whose works focus on poverty, empowerment, and global development.
The name Deepa has also graced the world of sports, with Deepa Malik (born 1970), an Indian athlete and paralympian, becoming the first Indian woman to win a medal at the Paralympic Games in 2016.
Deepa Bhatnagar (1934 - 2013), an Indian classical dancer and choreographer, was another notable figure who contributed significantly to the preservation and promotion of traditional Indian dance forms.
The name Deepa has transcended geographical boundaries and cultures, carrying with it a rich heritage and profound symbolism. Its association with light, enlightenment, and spiritual guidance has made it a revered choice across generations.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Deepa over time
The chart below shows babies named Deepa registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1996 to 2004. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Deepa, the clearest high point is 1997. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2004, compared with 9 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Deepa by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Deepa 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | #4002 | 10 | 3 |
| 1990s | #2566 | 18 | 3 |
Related
Names similar to Deepa
- 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
Deepa: questions and answers
How popular is the name Deepa in the UK right now?
In 2004, Deepa was ranked #4598 for girls in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Deepa most popular?
The peak year on record was 1997, with 9 babies registered as Deepa in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Deepa?
An Indian feminine name meaning "light" or "lamp".
How many people are called Deepa in the UK?
A total of 28 babies have been registered as Deepa across the 6 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.