NameCensus.

UK girl's name

Halah

A feminine Islamic name of Arabic origin meaning "halo" or "nimbus".

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.

Halah is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Halah popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #3318, with 7 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2023, with 7 births.

This profile covers 25 England and Wales registrations across 5 recorded years from 1996 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 25 living people in the UK are called Halah. 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

  • Halah ranked #3318 for girls in England and Wales in 2024, with 7 registrations.
  • The name peaked in 2023, when 7 girls were registered as Halah.
  • About 25 living people in the UK are estimated to have Halah as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.

Latest rank (E&W)

#3318

2024

Births in 2024

7

Latest year

Peak year

2023

7 births

Estimated living

25

2026

Meaning

What does Halah mean?

The name Halah originates from the Arabic language and has its roots in the Middle Eastern region. It is derived from the Arabic word "hala," which means "crescent moon." This name has been in use for centuries and holds significant cultural and historical significance.

In pre-Islamic Arabia, the crescent moon was a symbol of great importance, representing fertility, growth, and the cyclical nature of life. As such, the name Halah was often bestowed upon children with the hope that they would embody these qualities and lead a prosperous life.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Halah can be found in the Quran, the holy book of Islam. In the Quran, Halah is mentioned as the daughter of the prophet Shuaib, who was sent to preach to the people of Midian. This reference to Halah in a sacred text highlights the antiquity and religious significance of the name.

Throughout history, there have been several notable individuals who bore the name Halah. One such person was Halah bint Khuwaylid (born around 580 CE), a prominent Arab poet and warrior from the Banu Asad tribe. Her poetry celebrated bravery and valor, and she is remembered for her participation in numerous battles during the early days of Islam.

Another historical figure named Halah was Halah al-Saddah (born in the 9th century CE), a renowned Arabic poet from Baghdad. Her poetry was highly regarded during her lifetime, and she was praised for her eloquence and mastery of the Arabic language.

In the realm of Islamic scholarship, Halah bint Ahmad al-Marwazi (born in the 10th century CE) was a renowned scholar and jurist. She was widely respected for her vast knowledge of Islamic jurisprudence and her contributions to the field of hadith studies.

Halah bint al-Hakim (born in the 11th century CE) was a prominent female ruler in the Fatimid Caliphate, which ruled over parts of North Africa and the Middle East. She served as the regent for her son, the caliph al-Mustansir, and played a crucial role in maintaining stability and governance during a turbulent period in the caliphate's history.

Lastly, Halah al-Nabulsi (born in the 17th century CE) was a Palestinian poet and scholar who gained recognition for her literary works and contributions to the intellectual discourse of her time. Her poetry celebrated the beauty of nature and explored themes of love and spirituality.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

Popularity

Halah over time

The chart below shows babies named Halah registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1996 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 Halah, the clearest high point is 2023. The latest England and Wales figure is 7 births in 2024, compared with 7 at the peak.

Babies born per year

Halah
02457199620102024

Decades

Halah by decade

Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Halah 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 #3723 18 3
2010s #4686 4 1
1990s #3795 3 1

Related

Names similar to Halah

FAQ

Halah: questions and answers

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

In 2024, Halah was ranked #3318 for girls in England and Wales, with 7 births registered.

When was Halah most popular?

The peak year on record was 2023, with 7 babies registered as Halah in England and Wales.

What is the meaning and origin of Halah?

A feminine Islamic name of Arabic origin meaning "halo" or "nimbus".

How many people are called Halah in the UK?

A total of 25 babies have been registered as Halah 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.