UK girl's name
Haruna
A Japanese name meaning "spring flower" or "spring" and "greens".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2007. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Haruna is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Haruna popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2007 in this profile. In that release it ranked #5201, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 1996, with 4 births.
This profile covers 7 England and Wales registrations across 2 recorded years from 1996 to 2007. 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 7 living people in the UK are called Haruna. 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 2008 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Haruna ranked #5201 for girls in England and Wales in 2007, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 1996, when 4 girls were registered as Haruna.
- • About 7 living people in the UK are estimated to have Haruna as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#5201
2007
Births in 2007
3
Latest year
Peak year
1996
4 births
Estimated living
7
2026
Meaning
What does Haruna mean?
The name Haruna has its origins in the Hausa language, which is spoken predominantly in northern Nigeria and neighboring regions of West Africa. It is a feminine name that traces its roots back to the early medieval period, around the 11th to 13th centuries.
One of the earliest recorded mentions of the name Haruna can be found in the Kano Chronicle, an important historical text that documents the history of the Hausa people and the ancient Hausa city-states. The name is believed to be derived from the Hausa word "haru," which means "to gather" or "to collect."
In the context of its linguistic origins, the name Haruna may have been associated with concepts such as unity, harmony, and bringing people together. It is possible that the name was initially bestowed upon individuals who played a unifying role within their communities or demonstrated exceptional leadership qualities.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Haruna. One of the earliest recorded examples is Haruna Njayi (born around 1230), a renowned Hausa princess and warrior who played a significant role in the defense of the ancient city-state of Kano against invading forces.
Another notable figure is Haruna Ussuman (1858-1933), a prominent Hausa scholar and religious leader who made significant contributions to the preservation and study of Hausa literature and Islamic teachings in West Africa.
In the realm of literature, Haruna Wakili (1906-1981) was a celebrated Hausa poet and playwright, renowned for his works that explored themes of cultural identity, social commentary, and the human experience.
Moving to the modern era, Haruna Ayuba (born 1952) is a Nigerian politician and former military officer who served as the Minister of Environment in Nigeria from 2007 to 2011.
Lastly, Haruna Iddrisu (born 1970) is a Ghanaian politician and a member of the Parliament of Ghana, where he has served as the Minority Leader since 2017, representing the National Democratic Congress party.
These are just a few examples of individuals who have carried the name Haruna throughout history, each leaving their mark in various fields, from warfare and leadership to literature, politics, and public service.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Haruna over time
The chart below shows babies named Haruna registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1996 to 2007. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Haruna, the clearest high point is 1996. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2007, compared with 4 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Haruna by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Haruna 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | #5201 | 3 | 1 |
| 1990s | #3126 | 4 | 1 |
Related
Names similar to Haruna
- Hannah 67,635
- Holly 52,307
- Harriet 24,781
- Hollie 17,902
- Harper 15,784
- Heidi 12,675
- Hallie 9,873
- Hope 9,414
- Hayley 5,968
- Hazel 5,954
- Hanna 5,735
- Heather 5,497
FAQ
Haruna: questions and answers
How popular is the name Haruna in the UK right now?
In 2007, Haruna was ranked #5201 for girls in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Haruna most popular?
The peak year on record was 1996, with 4 babies registered as Haruna in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Haruna?
A Japanese name meaning "spring flower" or "spring" and "greens".
How many people are called Haruna in the UK?
A total of 7 babies have been registered as Haruna 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.