UK girl's name
Mah
A Sanskrit name meaning "great" or "mother earth".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2012. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Mah is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Mah popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2012 in this profile. In that release it ranked #5876, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2003, with 4 births.
This profile covers 14 England and Wales registrations across 4 recorded years from 2001 to 2012. 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 75% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 14 living people in the UK are called Mah. 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 2013 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Mah ranked #5876 for girls in England and Wales in 2012, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2003, when 4 girls were registered as Mah.
- • About 14 living people in the UK are estimated to have Mah as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#5876
2012
Births in 2012
3
Latest year
Peak year
2003
4 births
Estimated living
14
2026
Meaning
What does Mah mean?
The name Mah has its origins in ancient Sanskrit, one of the oldest languages in the world. It is derived from the Sanskrit word "maha," which means great or large. The name Mah can be found in Hindu scriptures and texts dating back thousands of years, often referring to deities or powerful figures.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Mah is in the Rigveda, one of the oldest Hindu scriptures, where it is used to describe the greatness of various gods and goddesses. The name Mah was also commonly used in ancient India to denote respect and admiration for individuals who had achieved great feats or displayed exceptional qualities.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Mah. One of the most famous was Mah Parshad (1718-1780), a renowned Indian poet and writer who composed works in the Braj Bhasha and Hindi languages. His literary contributions played a significant role in the development of Hindi literature.
Another historical figure with the name Mah was Mah Singh (1672-1737), a prominent Sikh warrior and military commander who played a crucial role in the defense of the Sikh faith during the tumultuous times of the 17th and 18th centuries in India.
In ancient Egypt, the name Mah was also used, though with a different meaning. The Egyptian goddess Mah, also known as Mahat, was associated with eternal order and balance in the universe. She was often depicted as a woman wearing a crown adorned with two feathers, representing balance and equilibrium.
In ancient Chinese texts, the name Mah is sometimes mentioned in reference to the concept of "mah-jong," which means the "game of sparrows." This game, which later evolved into the popular tile-based game mahjong, was believed to have originated in China during the Qing Dynasty (1644-1912).
Another notable individual named Mah was Mah Laqa Bai (1768-1824), a celebrated Indian courtesan, poet, and dancer who lived during the Mughal era. Her poetry and literary works, composed in Persian and Urdu, have been widely acclaimed and studied by scholars over the centuries.
These are just a few examples of the historical figures and references associated with the name Mah, which has held significance across various cultures and time periods, often representing greatness, power, and respect.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Mah over time
The chart below shows babies named Mah registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2001 to 2012. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Mah, the clearest high point is 2003. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2012, compared with 4 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Mah by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Mah 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 | #5876 | 3 | 1 |
| 2000s | #4052 | 11 | 3 |
Related
Names similar to Mah
- Megan 70,884
- Mia 67,204
- Molly 47,734
- Millie 44,390
- Maisie 32,671
- Matilda 29,965
- Maya 26,445
- Madison 18,441
- Maria 17,304
- Mollie 15,914
- Martha 15,116
- Maddison 14,918
FAQ
Mah: questions and answers
How popular is the name Mah in the UK right now?
In 2012, Mah was ranked #5876 for girls in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Mah most popular?
The peak year on record was 2003, with 4 babies registered as Mah in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Mah?
A Sanskrit name meaning "great" or "mother earth".
How many people are called Mah in the UK?
A total of 14 babies have been registered as Mah across the 4 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.