NameCensus.

UK girl's name

Hiraya

A Filipino name of Sanskrit origin meaning "inner self" or "heart".

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.

Hiraya is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Hiraya popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4192, with 5 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2024, with 5 births.

This profile covers 14 England and Wales registrations across 4 recorded years from 2020 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.

Hiraya is at its recorded peak in the England and Wales series.

We estimate that about 14 living people in the UK are called Hiraya. 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

  • Hiraya ranked #4192 for girls in England and Wales in 2024, with 5 registrations.
  • The name peaked in 2024, when 5 girls were registered as Hiraya.
  • About 14 living people in the UK are estimated to have Hiraya as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.

Latest rank (E&W)

#4192

2024

Births in 2024

5

Latest year

Peak year

2024

5 births

Estimated living

14

2026

Meaning

What does Hiraya mean?

The name Hiraya is believed to have originated from the Philippines, specifically from the Tagalog language spoken in the region. It is a relatively modern name, with its roots traced back to the 20th century.

Hiraya is derived from the Tagalog word "hiray," which means "hope" or "aspiration." The name is often associated with the concept of having a positive outlook on life and striving for one's dreams and ambitions.

While there are no known ancient texts or religious scriptures that directly mention the name Hiraya, its connection to the Tagalog language and the concept of hope resonates with the cultural values and beliefs of the Filipino people.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Hiraya can be found in the literary works of Filipino authors from the mid-20th century. However, it did not gain widespread popularity until more recent decades.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Hiraya:

1. Hiraya Alonte (born 1992) - A Filipino actress and model known for her roles in various television shows and movies.

2. Hiraya Miakinka (born 1985) - A Japanese-Filipino fashion designer and entrepreneur based in Tokyo, Japan.

3. Hiraya Manalo (born 1978) - A Filipino painter and visual artist, renowned for her vibrant and expressive works depicting Philippine culture and landscapes.

4. Hiraya Garcia (born 1990) - A Filipino environmental activist and advocate for sustainable living, recognized for her efforts in promoting eco-friendly initiatives and raising awareness about climate change.

5. Hiraya Villanueva (born 1975) - A Filipino writer and poet, whose works often explore themes of identity, culture, and the human experience, gaining critical acclaim within literary circles.

While the name Hiraya may not have a long and extensive historical record, its meaning and symbolism resonate with the hopes and aspirations of the Filipino people, making it a meaningful and culturally significant name in the modern era.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

Popularity

Hiraya over time

The chart below shows babies named Hiraya registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2020 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 Hiraya, the clearest high point is 2024. The latest England and Wales figure is 5 births in 2024, compared with 5 at the peak.

Babies born per year

Hiraya
01345202020222024

Decades

Hiraya by decade

Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Hiraya 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 #5260 14 4

Related

Names similar to Hiraya

FAQ

Hiraya: questions and answers

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

In 2024, Hiraya was ranked #4192 for girls in England and Wales, with 5 births registered.

When was Hiraya most popular?

The peak year on record was 2024, with 5 babies registered as Hiraya in England and Wales.

What is the meaning and origin of Hiraya?

A Filipino name of Sanskrit origin meaning "inner self" or "heart".

How many people are called Hiraya in the UK?

A total of 14 babies have been registered as Hiraya across the 4 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.