NameCensus.

UK girl's name

Israa

Of Arabic origin, meaning "night journey" or "nocturnal travel".

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.

Israa is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Israa popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #1491, with 21 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2021, with 32 births.

This profile covers 453 England and Wales registrations across 26 recorded years from 1998 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 66% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.

We estimate that about 451 living people in the UK are called Israa. 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

  • Israa ranked #1491 for girls in England and Wales in 2024, with 21 registrations.
  • The name peaked in 2021, when 32 girls were registered as Israa.
  • About 451 living people in the UK are estimated to have Israa as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.

Latest rank (E&W)

#1491

2024

Births in 2024

21

Latest year

Peak year

2021

32 births

Estimated living

451

2026

Meaning

What does Israa mean?

The name Israa has its roots in Arabic, originating from the Arabic word "isra," which means "night journey" or "ascension." This name is deeply rooted in Islamic tradition and holds significant religious and cultural significance.

In Islamic belief, the word "isra" refers to the miraculous night journey undertaken by the Prophet Muhammad from Mecca to Jerusalem, known as the "Isra and Miraj." This event is commemorated annually and is considered one of the most significant events in Islamic history, signifying the spiritual ascension of the Prophet.

The name Israa can be traced back to the early days of Islam, shortly after the advent of the religion in the 7th century. It gained popularity among Muslim communities as a way to honor the Prophet's journey and pay homage to this pivotal event in Islamic history.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Israa can be found in historical records from the 8th century, when it was used by notable figures within the Islamic world. For example, Israa bint Abi Bakr was a renowned scholar and poet who lived during this time period.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Israa. For instance, Israa al-Ghazzawi (born in 1993) is a Syrian activist and journalist who has been actively involved in reporting on the Syrian Civil War. Israa Ghrayeb (born in 1992) is a Palestinian writer and poet, known for her works that explore themes of identity and resistance.

Another prominent figure is Israa Sadiq (born in 1980), an Iraqi-American artist and sculptor whose works have been exhibited internationally. Israa Salha (born in 1993) is a Jordanian-Palestinian weightlifter who has represented Jordan in various international competitions, including the Olympics.

Israa al-Modather (born in 1991) is a Yemeni human rights activist and journalist who has been vocal about women's rights and the ongoing conflict in Yemen. She has received numerous awards and accolades for her work in promoting human rights and freedom of expression.

The name Israa continues to be popular among Muslim communities around the world, serving as a reminder of the rich cultural and religious heritage associated with this name and the significant event it commemorates.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

Popularity

Israa over time

The chart below shows babies named Israa registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1998 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 Israa, the clearest high point is 2021. The latest England and Wales figure is 21 births in 2024, compared with 32 at the peak.

Babies born per year

Israa
08162432199820112024

Decades

Israa by decade

Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Israa 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 #1307 127 5
2010s #1602 201 10
2000s #1951 122 10
1990s #3848 3 1

Related

Names similar to Israa

FAQ

Israa: questions and answers

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

In 2024, Israa was ranked #1491 for girls in England and Wales, with 21 births registered.

When was Israa most popular?

The peak year on record was 2021, with 32 babies registered as Israa in England and Wales.

What is the meaning and origin of Israa?

Of Arabic origin, meaning "night journey" or "nocturnal travel".

How many people are called Israa in the UK?

A total of 453 babies have been registered as Israa across the 26 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.