UK girl's name
Lava
A Hawaiian name meaning fiery or flowing molten rock.
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2021. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Lava is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Lava popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2021 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4634, with 4 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2014, with 5 births.
This profile covers 48 England and Wales registrations across 13 recorded years from 2002 to 2021. 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 80% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 48 living people in the UK are called Lava. 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 2022 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Lava ranked #4634 for girls in England and Wales in 2021, with 4 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2014, when 5 girls were registered as Lava.
- • About 48 living people in the UK are estimated to have Lava as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#4634
2021
Births in 2021
4
Latest year
Peak year
2014
5 births
Estimated living
48
2026
Meaning
What does Lava mean?
The name Lava has its origins in Hawaiian culture and language. It is derived from the Hawaiian word "lava," which refers to the molten rock that flows from volcanoes. The name is believed to have been given to children born during or after volcanic eruptions, symbolizing the power and intensity of nature.
In Hawaiian mythology, the goddess Pele was the ruler of fire, lightning, wind, and volcanic eruptions. She was revered and respected for her power and ability to create and destroy land. It is possible that the name Lava was used to honor this goddess and her role in shaping the Hawaiian islands.
The earliest recorded use of the name Lava can be traced back to the late 18th century, when Captain James Cook and his crew first encountered the Hawaiian Islands. In his journals, Cook mentioned encountering individuals with the name Lava, although he did not provide much detail about the meaning or significance of the name.
One of the most notable historical figures with the name Lava was Lava Nalu, a Hawaiian surfer and waterman who lived in the early 20th century. He was renowned for his surfing skills and his ability to ride massive waves, earning him the nickname "The King of Waves." Lava Nalu's birth and death years are uncertain, but he is believed to have lived between the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Another famous individual with the name Lava was Lava Manu, a Hawaiian chief and warrior who lived in the late 18th century. He played a significant role in the unification of the Hawaiian Islands under the rule of King Kamehameha I. Manu's exact birth and death years are unknown, but he is believed to have lived between the 1760s and 1820s.
In the realm of Hawaiian music, Lava Lava is the name of a renowned Hawaiian singer and musician who popularized traditional Hawaiian songs and chants in the mid-20th century. She was born in 1923 and passed away in 1997, leaving behind a legacy as one of the most influential Hawaiian musicians of her time.
Lava Momona was a Hawaiian artist and sculptor known for her intricate wood carvings and traditional Hawaiian artwork. She lived from 1920 to 2002 and played a significant role in preserving and promoting Hawaiian cultural heritage through her art.
Finally, Lava Kekauahoe was a Hawaiian high chief and advisor to King Kamehameha III in the 19th century. He was born in 1802 and played a crucial role in the transition of Hawaii from a traditional kingdom to a modern constitutional monarchy, serving as a bridge between Hawaiian and Western cultures.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Lava over time
The chart below shows babies named Lava registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2002 to 2021. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Lava, the clearest high point is 2014. The latest England and Wales figure is 4 births in 2021, compared with 5 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Lava by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Lava 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 | #4585 | 8 | 2 |
| 2010s | #4935 | 31 | 8 |
| 2000s | #4918 | 9 | 3 |
Related
Names similar to Lava
- 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
Lava: questions and answers
How popular is the name Lava in the UK right now?
In 2021, Lava was ranked #4634 for girls in England and Wales, with 4 births registered.
When was Lava most popular?
The peak year on record was 2014, with 5 babies registered as Lava in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Lava?
A Hawaiian name meaning fiery or flowing molten rock.
How many people are called Lava in the UK?
A total of 48 babies have been registered as Lava across the 13 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.