NameCensus.

UK girl's name

Dinah

A feminine name of Hebrew origin meaning "judged" or "God has judged".

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.

Dinah is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Dinah popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4192, with 5 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 1996, with 16 births.

This profile covers 189 England and Wales registrations across 28 recorded years from 1996 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 31% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.

We estimate that about 188 living people in the UK are called Dinah. 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

  • Dinah ranked #4192 for girls in England and Wales in 2024, with 5 registrations.
  • The name peaked in 1996, when 16 girls were registered as Dinah.
  • About 188 living people in the UK are estimated to have Dinah as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.

Latest rank (E&W)

#4192

2024

Births in 2024

5

Latest year

Peak year

1996

16 births

Estimated living

188

2026

Meaning

What does Dinah mean?

The name Dinah has its roots in Hebrew, derived from the biblical name Dinah, the daughter of Jacob and Leah in the Book of Genesis. The name is believed to originate from the Hebrew word "din," meaning "judgment" or "vindication." Its earliest recorded use can be traced back to the Old Testament, where Dinah's story is recounted.

One of the most notable historical references to the name Dinah comes from the Bible itself. In Genesis 34, the narrative tells of Dinah being defiled by Shechem, the son of a Hivite prince, leading to a violent conflict between Jacob's sons and the Hivites. This biblical account has shaped the cultural significance and symbolism associated with the name Dinah throughout history.

Among the earliest recorded individuals bearing the name Dinah was Dinah Morris (1888-1936), an English novelist and writer best known for her work "The Sundial." Her literary contributions helped popularize the name in the early 20th century.

In the realm of music, Dinah Washington (1924-1963) was an influential American singer and pianist who rose to fame in the 1940s and 1950s. Known as the "Queen of the Blues," she was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame and left an indelible mark on the jazz and blues genres.

Another notable figure was Dinah Craik (1826-1887), a British novelist and poet widely recognized for her works such as "John Halifax, Gentleman" and "A Life for a Life." Her literary achievements brought further recognition to the name Dinah during the Victorian era.

In the field of sports, Dinah Shore (1915-1994) was an American singer, actress, and television personality who also found success as a professional golfer. She hosted the popular Dinah Shore Chevy Show and lent her name to the Dinah Shore Trophy, awarded annually at the LPGA's Dinah Shore Tournament Course Championship.

Dinah Mulock Craik (1826-1887), a British novelist and poet, was another influential figure who bore the name. Her works, including "John Halifax, Gentleman" and "A Life for a Life," garnered widespread acclaim and popularity during the Victorian era.

Throughout history, the name Dinah has carried a rich cultural and biblical significance, spanning various disciplines and eras. From its Hebrew origins to its literary, musical, and sporting associations, the name has left an indelible mark on diverse aspects of human endeavor.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

Popularity

Dinah over time

The chart below shows babies named Dinah registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1996 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 Dinah, the clearest high point is 1996. The latest England and Wales figure is 5 births in 2024, compared with 16 at the peak.

Babies born per year

Dinah
0481216199620102024

Decades

Dinah by decade

Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Dinah 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 #3895 27 5
2010s #3487 72 10
2000s #3028 57 9
1990s #2238 33 4

Related

Names similar to Dinah

FAQ

Dinah: questions and answers

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

In 2024, Dinah was ranked #4192 for girls in England and Wales, with 5 births registered.

When was Dinah most popular?

The peak year on record was 1996, with 16 babies registered as Dinah in England and Wales.

What is the meaning and origin of Dinah?

A feminine name of Hebrew origin meaning "judged" or "God has judged".

How many people are called Dinah in the UK?

A total of 189 babies have been registered as Dinah across the 28 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.