UK girl's name
Kerra
An invented name perhaps of Irish origin, meaning uncertain.
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2011. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Kerra is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Kerra popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2011 in this profile. In that release it ranked #5785, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2001, with 3 births.
This profile covers 9 England and Wales registrations across 3 recorded years from 2001 to 2011. 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 100% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 9 living people in the UK are called Kerra. 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 2012 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Kerra ranked #5785 for girls in England and Wales in 2011, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2001, when 3 girls were registered as Kerra.
- • About 9 living people in the UK are estimated to have Kerra as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#5785
2011
Births in 2011
3
Latest year
Peak year
2001
3 births
Estimated living
9
2026
Meaning
What does Kerra mean?
The name Kerra is believed to have originated from the Old Norse language, spoken by the Norse people who inhabited Scandinavia and parts of modern-day Germany and France between the 8th and 13th centuries. The name is likely derived from the Old Norse word "kerra," which means "warrior" or "fighter."
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Kerra can be found in the Icelandic Sagas, a collection of stories and historical records from the 13th century. In the Saga of Grettir the Strong, a character named Kerra is mentioned as a skilled warrior who fought alongside the legendary Icelandic hero, Grettir.
During the Viking Age, from around the 8th to the 11th century, the name Kerra was commonly used among Norse communities, particularly in Iceland and Norway. It was a popular choice for parents who wished to instill the qualities of strength and bravery in their sons.
In the medieval period, the name Kerra appeared in various historical documents and records across Scandinavia. One notable figure was Kerra Magnusson, a Norwegian chieftain who lived in the 12th century and was known for his military prowess and leadership during the conflicts between rival clans.
Another historically significant Kerra was Kerra Thorvaldsdottir, an Icelandic poet and skald (court poet) who lived in the 13th century. She is renowned for her poetic works that celebrated Norse mythology and the exploits of Viking heroes.
In the 16th century, a Swedish nobleman named Kerra Sture played a crucial role in the Swedish War of Liberation against Denmark. He was a skilled military commander and is remembered for his bravery and strategic prowess on the battlefield.
Throughout history, the name Kerra has been associated with individuals who embodied the characteristics of strength, courage, and a warrior spirit. While its usage has declined in modern times, it remains a name with a rich historical legacy, particularly in the Norse and Scandinavian cultures.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Kerra over time
The chart below shows babies named Kerra registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2001 to 2011. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Kerra, the clearest high point is 2001. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2011, compared with 3 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Kerra by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Kerra 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | #5785 | 3 | 1 |
| 2000s | #4398 | 6 | 2 |
Related
Names similar to Kerra
- 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
Kerra: questions and answers
How popular is the name Kerra in the UK right now?
In 2011, Kerra was ranked #5785 for girls in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Kerra most popular?
The peak year on record was 2001, with 3 babies registered as Kerra in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Kerra?
An invented name perhaps of Irish origin, meaning uncertain.
How many people are called Kerra in the UK?
A total of 9 babies have been registered as Kerra across the 3 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.