UK girl's name
Ghala
An Arabic feminine name meaning "expensive" or "priceless one".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2023. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Ghala is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Ghala popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2023 in this profile. In that release it ranked #5687, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2015, with 4 births.
This profile covers 10 England and Wales registrations across 3 recorded years from 2015 to 2023. 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 10 living people in the UK are called Ghala. 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 2024 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Ghala ranked #5687 for girls in England and Wales in 2023, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2015, when 4 girls were registered as Ghala.
- • About 10 living people in the UK are estimated to have Ghala as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#5687
2023
Births in 2023
3
Latest year
Peak year
2015
4 births
Estimated living
10
2026
Meaning
What does Ghala mean?
The name Ghala has its origins in the Arabic language and culture. It is believed to have emerged during the medieval period in the Middle East, particularly in regions like Syria, Lebanon, and parts of the Arabian Peninsula.
The name Ghala is derived from the Arabic word "ghali," which means "precious" or "valuable." This connection suggests that the name was initially given to children as a way of expressing their preciousness and importance to their families and communities.
One of the earliest recorded mentions of the name Ghala can be found in the works of renowned Arab poets and writers from the 9th and 10th centuries. Some historical texts and literary works from that era reference individuals bearing this name, indicating its usage during that time period.
Throughout history, several notable figures have carried the name Ghala. One such individual was Ghala al-Nayrizi, a prominent Arab mathematician and astronomer who lived in the 9th century. Her contributions to the fields of mathematics and astronomy were significant, and she is remembered for her work on spherical trigonometry and her involvement in the Baghdadi astronomical tradition.
Another historical figure named Ghala was Ghala al-Dimashqi, a Syrian scholar and poet who lived in the 10th century. She was renowned for her poetic skills and her knowledge of Arabic literature and language. Her poetry collection, "Diwan Ghala al-Dimashqi," remains an important literary work from that era.
In the 12th century, Ghala al-Andalusi was a renowned Andalusian poet and scholar who made significant contributions to the literary and intellectual circles of her time. Her poetry was widely acclaimed, and she was known for her expertise in various fields, including philosophy and theology.
During the 14th century, Ghala al-Mawsiliyya was a prominent Arab musician and singer from Mosul, Iraq. She was celebrated for her exceptional vocal talents and her mastery of classical Arabic music. Her performances were highly sought after, and she is considered one of the most influential figures in the history of Arabic music.
In the 16th century, Ghala al-Baghdadi was a notable calligrapher and artist from Baghdad. Her intricate calligraphic works were widely admired, and she was known for her innovative techniques and artistic style. Many of her calligraphic pieces adorned the walls of mosques and palaces throughout the region.
These are just a few examples of the historical figures who have borne the name Ghala. While the name's usage may have evolved over time, its roots in the Arabic language and culture remain a significant part of its heritage and meaning.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Ghala over time
The chart below shows babies named Ghala registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2015 to 2023. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Ghala, the clearest high point is 2015. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2023, compared with 4 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Ghala by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Ghala 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 | #5687 | 3 | 1 |
| 2010s | #5201 | 7 | 2 |
Related
Names similar to Ghala
- Grace 79,208
- Georgia 48,838
- Gracie 18,387
- Georgina 15,599
- Gabriella 10,902
- Gemma 8,350
- Gabrielle 7,154
- Georgie 4,883
- Gabriela 3,300
- Genevieve 2,393
- Gracie-Mae 1,727
- Greta 1,283
FAQ
Ghala: questions and answers
How popular is the name Ghala in the UK right now?
In 2023, Ghala was ranked #5687 for girls in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Ghala most popular?
The peak year on record was 2015, with 4 babies registered as Ghala in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Ghala?
An Arabic feminine name meaning "expensive" or "priceless one".
How many people are called Ghala in the UK?
A total of 10 babies have been registered as Ghala across the 3 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.