UK girl's name
Medha
Hindu name meaning intelligence, wisdom, brightness or radiance.
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2023. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Medha is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Medha popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2023 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4056, with 5 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2014, with 6 births.
This profile covers 53 England and Wales registrations across 13 recorded years from 2004 to 2023. 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 83% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 53 living people in the UK are called Medha. 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 2024 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Medha ranked #4056 for girls in England and Wales in 2023, with 5 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2014, when 6 girls were registered as Medha.
- • About 53 living people in the UK are estimated to have Medha as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#4056
2023
Births in 2023
5
Latest year
Peak year
2014
6 births
Estimated living
53
2026
Meaning
What does Medha mean?
The name Medha is derived from the Sanskrit language, which has its origins in ancient India. The word "medha" in Sanskrit means "intelligence," "wisdom," or "intellectual power." It is believed that the name has been in use for centuries, dating back to the Vedic period in Indian history (1500–500 BCE).
One of the earliest recorded references to the name Medha can be found in the Vedas, the ancient Hindu scriptures. The concept of "medha" is mentioned in several Vedic texts, highlighting its significance in the cultural and spiritual traditions of India.
In Hindu mythology, Medha is also the name of a goddess associated with intelligence, wisdom, and learning. She is often depicted as a divine consort or an aspect of the god Brahma, the creator of the universe in Hindu cosmology.
Throughout history, there have been several notable individuals who bore the name Medha. One of the earliest known was Medha Nanda (363–323 BCE), a powerful ruler of the Nanda Empire in ancient India. She was known for her intellectual prowess and her ability to govern a vast territory.
Another renowned figure with the name Medha was Medha Patidar (1928–2021), an Indian social reformer and activist. She dedicated her life to promoting education and empowering women, particularly in rural areas of Gujarat.
In the field of literature, Medha Patkar (born 1954) is a well-known Indian social activist and author. She has been a prominent figure in the Narmada Bachao Andolan, a movement dedicated to protecting the rights of communities affected by the Narmada Valley Project.
Medha Kulkarni (born 1962) is a celebrated Indian classical dancer and choreographer. She is known for her contributions to the Kathak dance form and has received numerous awards and accolades for her artistic excellence.
Medha Samant (born 1983) is an Indian para-athlete who has won multiple medals in swimming at the Paralympic Games and other international competitions. She is celebrated for her perseverance and dedication to her sport.
These are just a few examples of individuals who have carried the name Medha throughout history, each making significant contributions in their respective fields and leaving a lasting impact on society.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Medha over time
The chart below shows babies named Medha registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2004 to 2023. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Medha, the clearest high point is 2014. The latest England and Wales figure is 5 births in 2023, compared with 6 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Medha by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Medha 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 | #4724 | 12 | 3 |
| 2010s | #4069 | 20 | 4 |
| 2000s | #4695 | 21 | 6 |
Related
Names similar to Medha
- 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
Medha: questions and answers
How popular is the name Medha in the UK right now?
In 2023, Medha was ranked #4056 for girls in England and Wales, with 5 births registered.
When was Medha most popular?
The peak year on record was 2014, with 6 babies registered as Medha in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Medha?
Hindu name meaning intelligence, wisdom, brightness or radiance.
How many people are called Medha in the UK?
A total of 53 babies have been registered as Medha 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.