UK girl's name
Ghalia
A feminine Arabic name meaning "precious", "valuable", or "expensive".
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.
Ghalia is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Ghalia popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #3695, with 6 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2018, with 6 births.
This profile covers 33 England and Wales registrations across 7 recorded years from 2017 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 100% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 33 living people in the UK are called Ghalia. 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
- • Ghalia ranked #3695 for girls in England and Wales in 2024, with 6 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2018, when 6 girls were registered as Ghalia.
- • About 33 living people in the UK are estimated to have Ghalia as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#3695
2024
Births in 2024
6
Latest year
Peak year
2018
6 births
Estimated living
33
2026
Meaning
What does Ghalia mean?
The given name Ghalia is derived from the Arabic language and has its roots in the Middle Eastern and North African regions. It is a feminine name that originates from the Arabic word "ghali," meaning "precious" or "valuable."
The name Ghalia has a long and rich history, with its earliest known use dating back to the 7th century CE. During this period, the Arab world was undergoing a significant cultural and intellectual renaissance, and many names with deep meanings emerged from this era.
One of the earliest recorded references to the name Ghalia can be found in ancient Arabic poetry and literature. It was often used to describe a woman of great beauty, grace, and nobility. The name was particularly popular among the ruling classes and aristocracy of the time.
Throughout history, several notable figures have borne the name Ghalia. One of the most prominent was Ghalia al-Qurtubia (1019-1087), a renowned Arabic poet and scholar from Cordoba, Spain. Her works were widely celebrated for their lyrical beauty and profound insights into the human condition.
Another historical figure with the name Ghalia was Ghalia bint al-Hakim (1040-1097), a Princess of the Fatimid Caliphate in Egypt. She was known for her intelligence, political acumen, and patronage of the arts and sciences.
In the 12th century, Ghalia al-Dimashqiyya (1135-1209) was a celebrated Syrian poet and writer whose works explored themes of love, spirituality, and the complexities of human relationships.
During the Ottoman Empire, Ghalia Hanim (1573-1652) was a influential figure in the imperial court, serving as a trusted advisor and confidante to several Ottoman sultans.
More recently, Ghalia Lahbabi (1928-2013) was a pioneering Moroccan writer and activist who dedicated her life to promoting women's rights and education in her homeland.
These are just a few examples of the many remarkable individuals who have carried the name Ghalia throughout history. The name continues to be popular in the Arab world and among those of Middle Eastern and North African descent, serving as a testament to its enduring beauty and cultural significance.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Ghalia over time
The chart below shows babies named Ghalia registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2017 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 Ghalia, the clearest high point is 2018. The latest England and Wales figure is 6 births in 2024, compared with 6 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Ghalia by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Ghalia 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 | #4278 | 24 | 5 |
| 2010s | #4642 | 9 | 2 |
Related
Names similar to Ghalia
- 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
Ghalia: questions and answers
How popular is the name Ghalia in the UK right now?
In 2024, Ghalia was ranked #3695 for girls in England and Wales, with 6 births registered.
When was Ghalia most popular?
The peak year on record was 2018, with 6 babies registered as Ghalia in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Ghalia?
A feminine Arabic name meaning "precious", "valuable", or "expensive".
How many people are called Ghalia in the UK?
A total of 33 babies have been registered as Ghalia across the 7 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.