UK girl's name
Laraya
A feminine name of Spanish origin meaning "small, little bird".
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.
Laraya is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Laraya popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4843, with 4 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2018, with 7 births.
This profile covers 45 England and Wales registrations across 10 recorded years from 2012 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 57% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 45 living people in the UK are called Laraya. 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
- • Laraya ranked #4843 for girls in England and Wales in 2024, with 4 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2018, when 7 girls were registered as Laraya.
- • About 45 living people in the UK are estimated to have Laraya as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#4843
2024
Births in 2024
4
Latest year
Peak year
2018
7 births
Estimated living
45
2026
Meaning
What does Laraya mean?
The name Laraya is believed to have originated from the ancient Sanskrit language of India, dating back to around the 5th century BCE. It is derived from the Sanskrit word "lara," which means "wave" or "surge," and the suffix "ya," which is often used to form feminine names. The name is thought to have been given to girls born near bodies of water, such as rivers or oceans, with the intention of symbolizing the flowing and ever-changing nature of life.
One of the earliest recorded mentions of the name Laraya can be found in the ancient Hindu text, the Mahabharata, which is an epic narrative that contains various stories and teachings. In this text, Laraya is described as a beautiful and virtuous woman who was revered for her wisdom and compassion.
Throughout history, there have been several notable individuals who bore the name Laraya. One of the earliest recorded examples is Laraya Devi, a renowned Indian philosopher and scholar who lived in the 9th century CE. She is best known for her contributions to the field of logic and her influential treatise on the nature of language and communication.
Another prominent figure was Laraya Kumari, a 14th-century Indian princess who is celebrated for her courage and leadership during a time of political turmoil. She is said to have led her kingdom's army into battle and secured several victories, earning her the respect and admiration of her people.
In the 16th century, there was Laraya Bhanu, a skilled Indian poet and musician who composed numerous works that explored themes of love, nature, and spirituality. Her writings were widely acclaimed and have been preserved and studied by scholars for centuries.
During the 18th century, Laraya Sundari was a celebrated Indian dancer and choreographer who is credited with reviving and popularizing the classical dance form of Kathak. Her performances were renowned for their grace, precision, and emotional depth, and she is considered one of the most influential figures in the history of Indian dance.
In more recent times, Laraya Ghosh was a prominent Indian social activist and educator who dedicated her life to promoting literacy and women's empowerment. Born in 1890, she established numerous schools and educational programs throughout India, and her efforts have had a lasting impact on the country's educational landscape.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Laraya over time
The chart below shows babies named Laraya registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2012 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 Laraya, the clearest high point is 2018. The latest England and Wales figure is 4 births in 2024, compared with 7 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Laraya by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Laraya 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 | #4437 | 23 | 5 |
| 2010s | #4721 | 22 | 5 |
Related
Names similar to Laraya
- 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
Laraya: questions and answers
How popular is the name Laraya in the UK right now?
In 2024, Laraya was ranked #4843 for girls in England and Wales, with 4 births registered.
When was Laraya most popular?
The peak year on record was 2018, with 7 babies registered as Laraya in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Laraya?
A feminine name of Spanish origin meaning "small, little bird".
How many people are called Laraya in the UK?
A total of 45 babies have been registered as Laraya across the 10 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.