UK girl's name
Eshe
A feminine name of African origin meaning "Life".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2019. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Eshe is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Eshe popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2019 in this profile. In that release it ranked #5591, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 1996, with 5 births.
This profile covers 22 England and Wales registrations across 6 recorded years from 1996 to 2019. 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 60% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 22 living people in the UK are called Eshe. 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 2020 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Eshe ranked #5591 for girls in England and Wales in 2019, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 1996, when 5 girls were registered as Eshe.
- • About 22 living people in the UK are estimated to have Eshe as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#5591
2019
Births in 2019
3
Latest year
Peak year
1996
5 births
Estimated living
22
2026
Meaning
What does Eshe mean?
The name Eshe finds its origins in the Yoruba language, spoken primarily in southwestern Nigeria and neighboring regions. Derived from the Yoruba word "ese," meaning "source" or "origin," the name Eshe symbolizes a connection to one's roots and cultural heritage.
In Yoruba culture, names often carry deep significance and are believed to shape the bearer's character and destiny. The name Eshe is sometimes associated with concepts of purity, innocence, and fresh beginnings, reflecting the essence of a life's starting point.
While the exact origins of the name are obscure, it is believed to have been in use among the Yoruba people for centuries. Some scholars suggest that variations of the name, such as "Eshé" or "Eshay," may have appeared in ancient Yoruba writings or oral traditions, though concrete evidence is scarce.
Throughout history, there have been notable individuals who bore the name Eshe. One of the earliest recorded instances is Eshe Ayinde, a prominent Yoruba warrior and leader from the 17th century, renowned for her bravery and strategic prowess during the wars against the Benin Empire.
In the 19th century, Eshe Ojo gained recognition as a skilled herbalist and traditional healer, passing down her knowledge of medicinal plants and healing practices to subsequent generations of Yoruba practitioners.
More recently, Eshe Shekoni (1932-2017) was a celebrated Nigerian artist, known for her vibrant paintings depicting Yoruba culture and daily life. Her works have been exhibited internationally and are held in prestigious collections around the world.
Eshe Ndiaye (born 1962) is a Senegalese writer and activist, whose works explore themes of gender, identity, and social justice. Her novel "La Parole aux Négresses" (Giving Voice to Black Women) received critical acclaim and has been translated into several languages.
In the realm of sports, Eshe Akida (born 1985) is a former Nigerian basketball player who represented her country in international competitions, including the 2012 Olympic Games in London.
These are just a few examples of individuals who have carried the name Eshe throughout history, each leaving their unique mark in various fields and contributing to the rich tapestry of cultural diversity.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Eshe over time
The chart below shows babies named Eshe registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1996 to 2019. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Eshe, the clearest high point is 1996. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2019, compared with 5 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Eshe by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Eshe 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | #5591 | 3 | 1 |
| 2000s | #3372 | 8 | 2 |
| 1990s | #3469 | 11 | 3 |
Related
Names similar to Eshe
- Emily 121,621
- Ella 69,101
- Ellie 63,522
- Evie 52,944
- Emma 50,755
- Eleanor 40,576
- Elizabeth 39,225
- Erin 34,816
- Eva 29,738
- Evelyn 26,911
- Elsie 23,671
- Emilia 22,167
FAQ
Eshe: questions and answers
How popular is the name Eshe in the UK right now?
In 2019, Eshe was ranked #5591 for girls in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Eshe most popular?
The peak year on record was 1996, with 5 babies registered as Eshe in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Eshe?
A feminine name of African origin meaning "Life".
How many people are called Eshe in the UK?
A total of 22 babies have been registered as Eshe 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.