NameCensus.

UK girl's name

Hema

Golden, precious, or red-colored gemstone in Sanskrit.

For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2021. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.

Hema is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Hema popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2021 in this profile. In that release it ranked #5581, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 1997, with 11 births.

This profile covers 119 England and Wales registrations across 21 recorded years from 1996 to 2021. 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 27% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.

We estimate that about 118 living people in the UK are called Hema. 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 2022 or 2026.

Key insights

  • Hema ranked #5581 for girls in England and Wales in 2021, with 3 registrations.
  • The name peaked in 1997, when 11 girls were registered as Hema.
  • About 118 living people in the UK are estimated to have Hema as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.

Latest rank (E&W)

#5581

2021

Births in 2021

3

Latest year

Peak year

1997

11 births

Estimated living

118

2026

Meaning

What does Hema mean?

The name Hema has its origins in ancient Sanskrit, one of the oldest languages in the world. Derived from the word "hema," meaning "golden" or "golden-red," it was initially used as a descriptive term for someone with a radiant complexion or golden-hued hair.

In Hindu mythology, Hema is also the name of a renowned goddess, often depicted as the personification of the earth's golden riches and fertility. Her name is mentioned in various sacred texts, including the Puranas and the Mahabharata, further solidifying its presence in Indian culture and tradition.

The earliest recorded use of Hema as a personal name can be traced back to ancient Indian inscriptions and manuscripts dating back to the 5th century BCE. Over the centuries, the name gained widespread popularity across the Indian subcontinent, transcending regional and linguistic boundaries.

One of the most notable historical figures bearing the name Hema was Hema Malini, an acclaimed Indian actress and politician born in 1948. Known for her elegance and versatility, she has graced the silver screen for over five decades and continues to be a revered cultural icon.

Another prominent figure was Hema Sane, an Indian social reformer and educationist born in 1914. She dedicated her life to empowering women and advocating for equal educational opportunities, leaving an indelible mark on the Indian feminist movement.

In the realm of literature, Hema Veeravalli, an Indian-American author born in 1977, has garnered critical acclaim for her works exploring themes of identity, belonging, and the immigrant experience.

Moving beyond India, Hema Upadhyay, a Nepalese mountaineer born in 1972, etched her name in history by becoming the first Nepalese woman to summit Mount Everest in 2008, inspiring countless others to reach for their dreams.

Hema Ramaswamy, an Indian-American classical dancer and choreographer born in 1970, has been instrumental in preserving and promoting the art of Bharatanatyam, a traditional Indian dance form, on the global stage.

While the name Hema has its roots in ancient Sanskrit, it has transcended cultural and geographical boundaries, becoming a symbol of grace, radiance, and achievement for those who bear it.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

Popularity

Hema over time

The chart below shows babies named Hema registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1996 to 2021. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.

For Hema, the clearest high point is 1997. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2021, compared with 11 at the peak.

Babies born per year

Hema
036811199620082021

Decades

Hema by decade

Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Hema 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 #5581 3 1
2010s #4413 32 6
2000s #3213 59 10
1990s #2624 25 4

Related

Names similar to Hema

FAQ

Hema: questions and answers

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

In 2021, Hema was ranked #5581 for girls in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.

When was Hema most popular?

The peak year on record was 1997, with 11 babies registered as Hema in England and Wales.

What is the meaning and origin of Hema?

Golden, precious, or red-colored gemstone in Sanskrit.

How many people are called Hema in the UK?

A total of 119 babies have been registered as Hema across the 21 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.