UK girl's name
Fadwa
A feminine Arabic name meaning "precious" or "jewel".
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.
Fadwa is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Fadwa 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 2009, with 4 births.
This profile covers 16 England and Wales registrations across 5 recorded years from 2000 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 75% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 16 living people in the UK are called Fadwa. 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
- • Fadwa ranked #5891 for girls in England and Wales in 2024, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2009, when 4 girls were registered as Fadwa.
- • About 16 living people in the UK are estimated to have Fadwa 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
2009
4 births
Estimated living
16
2026
Meaning
What does Fadwa mean?
The name Fadwa is of Arabic origin, deriving from the root word "fadha," which means "precious" or "valuable" in the Arabic language. This name has been widely used in the Arabic-speaking world for centuries, particularly in regions such as the Middle East and North Africa.
Fadwa is believed to have gained popularity during the Islamic Golden Age, a period of remarkable cultural, scientific, and intellectual achievements in the Arab world, spanning from the 8th to the 13th century. The name's association with preciousness and value may have been influenced by the flourishing of knowledge and arts during this era.
While the name Fadwa is not explicitly mentioned in religious scriptures or ancient texts, it is possible that its roots can be traced back to the Pre-Islamic era, as the Arabic language has a rich literary tradition that predates the advent of Islam.
One of the earliest recorded examples of the name Fadwa can be found in the writings of the renowned Arab poet and philosopher, Abu Al-Ala Al-Maari (973-1057 CE), who mentioned a woman named Fadwa in one of his poems. This suggests that the name was in use during the 11th century in the region of present-day Syria.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Fadwa. One such figure is Fadwa Touqan (1917-2003), a renowned Palestinian poet and author, who played a significant role in the Palestinian literary movement of the 20th century.
Another prominent figure is Fadwa Soliman (1936-1976), an Egyptian actress and singer who gained immense popularity for her performances in Egyptian cinema and on stage during the mid-20th century.
Fadwa Qaddura (1930-2019) was a Syrian writer and novelist, known for her influential works that explored the complexities of women's lives and societal issues in the Arab world.
Fadwa Mahmoud (1938-2022) was an Egyptian actress and dancer, celebrated for her performances in various Egyptian films and television series throughout the latter half of the 20th century.
Fadwa Suleiman (1945-present) is an influential Syrian-born actress and director, who has made significant contributions to the Arabic theater and cinema, particularly in her portrayals of strong female characters.
These are just a few examples of notable individuals who have carried the name Fadwa throughout history, showcasing its enduring presence and significance within the Arabic-speaking world.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Fadwa over time
The chart below shows babies named Fadwa registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2000 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 Fadwa, the clearest high point is 2009. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2024, compared with 4 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Fadwa by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Fadwa 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 | #5891 | 3 | 1 |
| 2010s | #5765 | 3 | 1 |
| 2000s | #4674 | 10 | 3 |
Related
Names similar to Fadwa
- Freya 50,564
- Florence 32,908
- Francesca 18,752
- Faith 14,325
- Fatima 11,112
- Faye 8,999
- Felicity 8,554
- Frankie 6,977
- Ffion 6,115
- Flora 3,499
- Frances 3,417
- Fatimah 3,065
FAQ
Fadwa: questions and answers
How popular is the name Fadwa in the UK right now?
In 2024, Fadwa was ranked #5891 for girls in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Fadwa most popular?
The peak year on record was 2009, with 4 babies registered as Fadwa in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Fadwa?
A feminine Arabic name meaning "precious" or "jewel".
How many people are called Fadwa in the UK?
A total of 16 babies have been registered as Fadwa across the 5 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.