NameCensus.

UK girl's name

Huma

A feminine name of Arabic origin meaning "little red viper" or "eagle".

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.

Huma is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Huma popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #5891, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 1998, with 30 births.

This profile covers 310 England and Wales registrations across 28 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 10% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.

We estimate that about 308 living people in the UK are called Huma. 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

  • Huma ranked #5891 for girls in England and Wales in 2024, with 3 registrations.
  • The name peaked in 1998, when 30 girls were registered as Huma.
  • About 308 living people in the UK are estimated to have Huma as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.

Latest rank (E&W)

#5891

2024

Births in 2024

3

Latest year

Peak year

1998

30 births

Estimated living

308

2026

Meaning

What does Huma mean?

The name Huma has its origins in several languages and cultures. The most widely accepted theory is that it derives from the Arabic word "humā" which means "she-bird" or "phoenix." This majestic bird from Arabic mythology is said to live for centuries before combusting itself and rising from the ashes, symbolizing renewal and rebirth.

In Persian literature, the name Huma appears as a beautiful and virtuous female character in the epic poem "Shahnameh" written by the renowned poet Ferdowsi in the late 10th century. The name is also found in various Sufi writings and poetry, where it is associated with divine love, spiritual enlightenment, and the human soul's journey towards perfection.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Huma can be traced back to the 16th century when a Mughal princess, Huma Begum, was born in India. She was the daughter of the Mughal Emperor Akbar and his wife Mariam uz-Zamani. Huma Begum was known for her intelligence, beauty, and patronage of the arts and literature.

Another notable figure in history who bore the name Huma was Huma Shurawardi, an influential Persian philosopher and mystic who lived in the 12th century. He is considered one of the most prominent figures in the Illuminationist school of Islamic philosophy, and his teachings had a significant impact on the development of Sufism.

In the 19th century, Huma Shamsuddin was a prominent Indian educator and social reformer who worked tirelessly for the education of women and the abolition of practices like child marriage and sati (widow burning). She established several schools and organizations dedicated to the empowerment of women.

Huma Abedin, born in 1976, is a notable American political staffer who served as the vice chair of the 2016 Hillary Clinton presidential campaign. She has worked closely with the Clinton family for many years and is known for her loyalty and dedication to public service.

Huma Qureshi, born in 1986, is a popular Indian actress who has appeared in numerous Bollywood films and television shows. She is known for her versatile performances and has received critical acclaim for her roles in movies like "Gangs of Wasseypur" and "Badlapur."

Sourced from namecensus.com.

Popularity

Huma over time

The chart below shows babies named Huma 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 Huma, the clearest high point is 1998. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2024, compared with 30 at the peak.

Babies born per year

Huma
08152330199620102024

Decades

Huma by decade

Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Huma 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 #4303 24 5
2010s #3731 53 9
2000s #1635 157 10
1990s #1118 76 4

Related

Names similar to Huma

FAQ

Huma: questions and answers

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

In 2024, Huma was ranked #5891 for girls in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.

When was Huma most popular?

The peak year on record was 1998, with 30 babies registered as Huma in England and Wales.

What is the meaning and origin of Huma?

A feminine name of Arabic origin meaning "little red viper" or "eagle".

How many people are called Huma in the UK?

A total of 310 babies have been registered as Huma across the 28 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.