NameCensus.

UK girl's name

Eska

A feminine name of uncertain origin, potentially Scandinavian.

For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2018. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.

Eska is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Eska popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2018 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4684, with 4 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2017, with 5 births.

This profile covers 9 England and Wales registrations across 2 recorded years from 2017 to 2018. 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 80% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.

We estimate that about 9 living people in the UK are called Eska. 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 2019 or 2026.

Key insights

  • Eska ranked #4684 for girls in England and Wales in 2018, with 4 registrations.
  • The name peaked in 2017, when 5 girls were registered as Eska.
  • About 9 living people in the UK are estimated to have Eska as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.

Latest rank (E&W)

#4684

2018

Births in 2018

4

Latest year

Peak year

2017

5 births

Estimated living

9

2026

Meaning

What does Eska mean?

The name Eska is of obscure origins, with its roots potentially traceable to various ancient cultures and languages. One plausible theory suggests that it may have derived from the Old Norse word "eska," meaning "box" or "chest," which could have been used as a nickname or descriptive term for someone engaged in crafting or storing items.

Another possibility lies in its connection to the Sanskrit word "eshka," which means "desire" or "longing." This interpretation could imply that the name was bestowed upon individuals with a strong sense of ambition or yearning for something significant in their lives.

Early records of the name Eska are scarce, but it is believed to have been in use as early as the 10th century in certain parts of Europe. One of the earliest known individuals bearing this name was Eska of Wessex, a minor noble who lived in England during the late 900s and was mentioned in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle for his involvement in a local dispute over land rights.

In the 13th century, there are accounts of a nun named Eska von Bingen, who resided in a convent in the Holy Roman Empire and was renowned for her skill in herbalism and traditional medicine. Her writings on the medicinal properties of various plants were widely circulated among monastic communities at the time.

During the Renaissance period, Eska Borgia, an Italian noblewoman born in 1485, gained notoriety for her alleged involvement in several scandals and intrigues within the powerful Borgia family. While historical accounts of her life are often shrouded in gossip and speculation, she is said to have wielded considerable influence in the papal court of her time.

In the realm of literature, the name Eska appears in the epic poem "The Nibelungenlied," a German work from the 13th century that chronicles the adventures and conflicts of legendary heroes and kings. The character of Eska, while minor, is depicted as a brave and loyal warrior who fought alongside the protagonist Siegfried.

Another notable figure was Eska Vasilyeva, a Russian explorer and cartographer who lived in the late 18th century. She is credited with mapping vast expanses of Siberia and contributing significantly to the geographical knowledge of the region during her expeditions with the Russian Imperial Geographic Society.

While the name Eska may not be as common as some other names, its diverse origins and the stories of those who have borne it throughout history offer a glimpse into the rich tapestry of human culture and experience.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

Popularity

Eska over time

The chart below shows babies named Eska registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2017 to 2018. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.

For Eska, the clearest high point is 2017. The latest England and Wales figure is 4 births in 2018, compared with 5 at the peak.

Babies born per year

Eska
01345201720172018

Decades

Eska by decade

Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Eska 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 #4374 9 2

Related

Names similar to Eska

FAQ

Eska: questions and answers

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

In 2018, Eska was ranked #4684 for girls in England and Wales, with 4 births registered.

When was Eska most popular?

The peak year on record was 2017, with 5 babies registered as Eska in England and Wales.

What is the meaning and origin of Eska?

A feminine name of uncertain origin, potentially Scandinavian.

How many people are called Eska in the UK?

A total of 9 babies have been registered as Eska across the 2 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.