UK girl's name
Katana
A feminine Japanese name meaning "sword".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2022. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Katana is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Katana popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2022 in this profile. In that release it ranked #3970, with 5 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2006, with 6 births.
This profile covers 43 England and Wales registrations across 11 recorded years from 1999 to 2022. 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 83% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 43 living people in the UK are called Katana. 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 2023 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Katana ranked #3970 for girls in England and Wales in 2022, with 5 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2006, when 6 girls were registered as Katana.
- • About 43 living people in the UK are estimated to have Katana as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#3970
2022
Births in 2022
5
Latest year
Peak year
2006
6 births
Estimated living
43
2026
Meaning
What does Katana mean?
The name Katana is of Japanese origin, derived from the word "katana," which refers to the type of sword used by samurai warriors in feudal Japan. The katana sword was renowned for its exceptional craftsmanship, sharpness, and durability, symbolizing the strength, honor, and discipline of the samurai code.
The earliest known use of the name Katana dates back to the late 12th century, during the Kamakura period in Japan. It is believed that the name was initially given to children, particularly girls, as a symbolic representation of the samurai spirit and the virtues associated with the legendary katana sword.
In Japanese culture, the katana sword held a deep spiritual significance, often viewed as an extension of the samurai's soul. Naming a child Katana was a way to imbue them with the qualities of resilience, courage, and unwavering determination, traits that were highly valued in the warrior class.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Katana can be found in the "Heike Monogatari," a historical tale from the late 12th century that recounts the epic struggle between the Taira and Minamoto clans. The story mentions a young woman named Katana who displayed unwavering bravery and loyalty during the conflict.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Katana:
1. Katana Tomoe (1504-1589), a renowned female samurai warrior and strategist who played a crucial role in the Battles of Kizugawaguchi during the Sengoku period in Japan.
2. Katana Miyamoto (1567-1644), a skilled swordsmith renowned for crafting exceptional katana swords, contributing to the preservation and advancement of the traditional Japanese sword-making techniques.
3. Katana Oda (1701-1783), a celebrated poet and calligrapher during the Edo period, known for her elegant and evocative works that captured the essence of the samurai spirit.
4. Katana Nakamura (1876-1949), a pioneering feminist and educator who advocated for women's rights and worked tirelessly to establish educational opportunities for girls in Japan.
5. Katana Ishikawa (1921-2004), a revered martial artist and master of Aikido, who dedicated her life to preserving and teaching the ancient Japanese martial arts traditions.
The name Katana continues to be celebrated in modern Japanese culture, serving as a reminder of the rich heritage and values associated with the legendary samurai warriors and their iconic swords.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Katana over time
The chart below shows babies named Katana registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1999 to 2022. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Katana, the clearest high point is 2006. The latest England and Wales figure is 5 births in 2022, compared with 6 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Katana by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Katana 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 | #4732 | 8 | 2 |
| 2010s | #4798 | 16 | 4 |
| 2000s | #3724 | 16 | 4 |
| 1990s | #3900 | 3 | 1 |
Related
Names similar to Katana
- Katie 53,185
- Keira 14,411
- Katherine 11,323
- Kayleigh 10,677
- Kate 10,276
- Kelsey 7,224
- Kiera 7,218
- Kayla 6,541
- Kirsty 6,384
- Khadija 5,948
- Kimberley 5,189
- Kaitlyn 5,137
FAQ
Katana: questions and answers
How popular is the name Katana in the UK right now?
In 2022, Katana was ranked #3970 for girls in England and Wales, with 5 births registered.
When was Katana most popular?
The peak year on record was 2006, with 6 babies registered as Katana in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Katana?
A feminine Japanese name meaning "sword".
How many people are called Katana in the UK?
A total of 43 babies have been registered as Katana across the 11 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.