UK girl's name
Dhara
Feminine name of Sanskrit origin meaning stream or flow.
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.
Dhara is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Dhara 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 2005, with 8 births.
This profile covers 107 England and Wales registrations across 22 recorded years from 1997 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 38% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 106 living people in the UK are called Dhara. 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
- • Dhara ranked #5891 for girls in England and Wales in 2024, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2005, when 8 girls were registered as Dhara.
- • About 106 living people in the UK are estimated to have Dhara 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
2005
8 births
Estimated living
106
2026
Meaning
What does Dhara mean?
The name Dhara has its origins in the Sanskrit language, which is one of the oldest Indo-Aryan languages and has been the root of many languages spoken in the Indian subcontinent. The word "dhara" in Sanskrit means "stream" or "flow," referring to the natural movement of water.
This name can be traced back to ancient Hindu scriptures and texts, where it was often used as a metaphor for the continuous flow of knowledge, wisdom, and spiritual enlightenment. The name Dhara was particularly revered in Hindu mythology, where it was associated with various deities and sacred rivers.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Dhara can be found in the Rigveda, one of the oldest and most sacred Hindu scriptures, dating back to around 1500-1200 BCE. In the Rigveda, the name is mentioned in connection with the goddess Saraswati, who is considered the personification of knowledge, learning, and creativity.
Throughout history, several prominent figures have borne the name Dhara. One notable example is Dhara Shukla, a renowned Sanskrit scholar and poet who lived in the 12th century CE. Her literary works, including the famous Pavanaduta, have been widely celebrated for their poetic excellence and philosophical depth.
Another individual of historical significance is Dhara Singh Rathore, a brave Rajput warrior who lived in the 16th century CE. He played a pivotal role in defending the Rajput kingdoms against the Mughal Empire and is remembered for his valor and loyalty.
In the realm of spirituality, Dhara Mata Shri was a revered saint and mystic who lived in the 15th century CE. She is venerated in parts of Gujarat and Rajasthan for her profound spiritual teachings and her contribution to the Bhakti movement, a Hindu devotional tradition.
The name Dhara has also been associated with notable figures in the field of arts and culture. Dhara Vikas was a celebrated classical dancer and choreographer from the 20th century, renowned for her contributions to the revival and promotion of traditional Indian dance forms.
Lastly, Dhara Patel was a prominent social activist and educator who worked tirelessly for the empowerment of women and underprivileged communities in the early 20th century. Her efforts in promoting education and social reform have left a lasting impact on society.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Dhara over time
The chart below shows babies named Dhara registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1997 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 Dhara, the clearest high point is 2005. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2024, compared with 8 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Dhara by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Dhara 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 | #5692 | 6 | 2 |
| 2010s | #4846 | 37 | 9 |
| 2000s | #3033 | 54 | 9 |
| 1990s | #2754 | 10 | 2 |
Related
Names similar to Dhara
- 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
Dhara: questions and answers
How popular is the name Dhara in the UK right now?
In 2024, Dhara was ranked #5891 for girls in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Dhara most popular?
The peak year on record was 2005, with 8 babies registered as Dhara in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Dhara?
Feminine name of Sanskrit origin meaning stream or flow.
How many people are called Dhara in the UK?
A total of 107 babies have been registered as Dhara 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.