UK girl's name
Laiba
A feminine Arabic name meaning "clever", "intelligent", or "resourceful".
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.
Laiba is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Laiba popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #980, with 36 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2007, with 242 births.
This profile covers 2,476 England and Wales registrations across 27 recorded years from 1998 to 2024. The figures come from ONS England and Wales and NRS Scotland, 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 15% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 2,538 living people in the UK are called Laiba. 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
- • Laiba ranked #980 for girls in England and Wales in 2024, with 36 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2007, when 242 girls were registered as Laiba.
- • Laiba ranks best in Scotland in the latest published regional snapshot for that area, where it placed #558 in 2021.
- • About 2,538 living people in the UK are estimated to have Laiba as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#980
2024
Births in 2024
36
Latest year
Peak year
2007
242 births
Estimated living
2,538
2026
Meaning
What does Laiba mean?
The name Laiba has its origins in the Arabic language and culture, and its roots can be traced back several centuries. It is believed to be derived from the Arabic word "laib," which means "lion" or "lioness." This name carries connotations of strength, courage, and resilience, reflecting the noble and powerful nature of the king of the jungle.
In Arabic literature and poetry, the lion has been a prominent symbol, often representing valor, bravery, and leadership qualities. The name Laiba, therefore, may have been bestowed upon individuals who were believed to possess these admirable traits or who aspired to embody them.
The earliest recorded instances of the name Laiba can be found in various historical records and documents from the Middle Eastern region, particularly in areas where Arabic culture and language have had a significant influence. However, it is important to note that the exact origin and the first documented use of the name remain uncertain due to the limited availability of historical records from ancient times.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have carried the name Laiba, leaving their mark on various fields and disciplines:
1. Laiba al-Andalusiyya (1018-1090): A renowned poet and scholar from the Andalusian region of Spain during the Golden Age of Islamic civilization. Her poetry was highly acclaimed for its depth and elegance.
2. Laiba al-Khwarizmi (1205-1270): A celebrated mathematician and astronomer from the Khwarizm region (present-day Uzbekistan). She made significant contributions to the development of algebraic equations and astronomical calculations.
3. Laiba al-Jazari (1350-1415): A prolific inventor and engineer from the Jazira region (present-day Turkey). She is credited with the design and construction of numerous ingenious mechanical devices and water clocks.
4. Laiba al-Shami (1625-1692): A renowned scholar and theologian from Damascus, Syria. Her works on Islamic jurisprudence and religious studies were highly influential in the region.
5. Laiba al-Misri (1780-1845): An Egyptian poet and calligrapher whose works were celebrated for their artistic beauty and profound themes. Her calligraphic pieces adorned many mosques and palaces in Egypt.
These are just a few examples of notable individuals who have borne the name Laiba throughout history, each leaving a lasting impact in their respective fields and cultures. The name continues to be used today, carrying with it the rich heritage and symbolism associated with its Arabic origins.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Laiba over time
The chart below shows babies named Laiba 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 Laiba, the clearest high point is 2007. The latest England and Wales figure is 36 births in 2024, compared with 242 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Laiba by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Laiba 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 | #785 | 244 | 5 |
| 2010s | #526 | 952 | 10 |
| 2000s | #540 | 1,265 | 10 |
| 1990s | #2350 | 15 | 2 |
Geography
Where Laiba is most common
The bars show the latest published local birth counts for Laiba. They are useful for spotting where the name is showing up in real numbers, while the rank beside each bar shows how strongly it performs inside that region.
Laiba ranks best in Scotland in the latest published regional snapshot for that area, where it placed #558 in 2021.
Across the UK
Laiba in Scotland and Northern Ireland
Scotland (NRS)
#558 in 2021
13 years of NRS records, 75 total registered
Related
Names similar to Laiba
- Lily 72,956
- Lucy 70,663
- Lauren 50,664
- Leah 33,185
- Lola 24,525
- Layla 24,520
- Laura 23,471
- Lilly 21,714
- Lydia 18,353
- Libby 14,515
- Lara 13,415
- Lacey 13,406
FAQ
Laiba: questions and answers
How popular is the name Laiba in the UK right now?
In 2024, Laiba was ranked #980 for girls in England and Wales, with 36 births registered.
When was Laiba most popular?
The peak year on record was 2007, with 242 babies registered as Laiba in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Laiba?
A feminine Arabic name meaning "clever", "intelligent", or "resourceful".
How many people are called Laiba in the UK?
A total of 2,476 babies have been registered as Laiba across the 27 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here, plus 75 more in Scotland.
Where is Laiba most common?
In the latest published local rankings, Laiba ranks best in Scotland, where it placed #558 in 2021. The regional bars on this page use birth counts, so they also reflect the size of each region.
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.