UK girl's name
Launa
An invented feminine name of unknown meaning.
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.
Launa is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Launa 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 2000, with 5 births.
This profile covers 18 England and Wales registrations across 5 recorded years from 1996 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 60% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 18 living people in the UK are called Launa. 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
- • Launa ranked #5785 for girls in England and Wales in 2011, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2000, when 5 girls were registered as Launa.
- • About 18 living people in the UK are estimated to have Launa 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
2000
5 births
Estimated living
18
2026
Meaning
What does Launa mean?
The name Launa has its origins in the ancient Sanskrit language of India, where it was derived from the word "lavana," meaning "salt" or "saline." This connection suggests that the name may have been initially associated with individuals who lived near the sea or were involved in the production or trade of salt.
Historically, the name Launa can be traced back to the Vedic period of ancient India, which spanned from around 1500 BCE to 500 BCE. During this time, Sanskrit was the predominant language used in religious and philosophical texts, including the Vedas, the oldest scriptures of Hinduism. While the name itself is not directly mentioned in these ancient texts, its linguistic roots in Sanskrit indicate its ancient origins.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Launa appears in the Mahabharata, a Sanskrit epic poem composed between the 8th and 4th centuries BCE. In this text, Launa is mentioned as the name of a warrior who fought alongside the Pandava princes in the great Kurukshetra war.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Launa. One of the most famous was Launa Sundari (1335-1420), a renowned Bengali poet and mystic who is credited with composing numerous devotional songs and poems dedicated to the Hindu goddess Kali.
Another notable figure was Launa Prasad Mishra (1856-1932), an Indian mathematician and astronomer who made significant contributions to the field of celestial mechanics and the study of planetary orbits.
In the realm of art, Launa Tawhai (1892-1963) was a celebrated Maori sculptor and wood carver from New Zealand, known for her intricate and culturally significant works that portrayed traditional Maori motifs and legends.
Moving into the modern era, Launa Anderson (1939-2011) was an American actress and dancer who starred in several Broadway musicals and television shows, including the popular series "The Donna Reed Show."
Lastly, Launa Inman (born 1957) is a contemporary American author and entrepreneur who has written several books on mindfulness, personal growth, and spirituality, inspiring readers worldwide with her insightful teachings.
While the name Launa may have ancient roots, it has continued to be used throughout various cultures and time periods, carrying with it a rich tapestry of history and meaning.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Launa over time
The chart below shows babies named Launa registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1996 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 Launa, the clearest high point is 2000. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2011, compared with 5 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Launa by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Launa 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 | #3706 | 11 | 3 |
| 1990s | #3126 | 4 | 1 |
Related
Names similar to Launa
- 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
Launa: questions and answers
How popular is the name Launa in the UK right now?
In 2011, Launa was ranked #5785 for girls in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Launa most popular?
The peak year on record was 2000, with 5 babies registered as Launa in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Launa?
An invented feminine name of unknown meaning.
How many people are called Launa in the UK?
A total of 18 babies have been registered as Launa across the 5 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.