NameCensus.

UK girl's name

Meelah

A feminine Arabic name meaning "a beautiful friend or companion".

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.

Meelah is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Meelah popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2023 in this profile. In that release it ranked #3598, with 6 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2023, with 6 births.

This profile covers 22 England and Wales registrations across 5 recorded years from 2016 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.

Meelah is at its recorded peak in the England and Wales series.

We estimate that about 22 living people in the UK are called Meelah. 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

  • Meelah ranked #3598 for girls in England and Wales in 2023, with 6 registrations.
  • The name peaked in 2023, when 6 girls were registered as Meelah.
  • About 22 living people in the UK are estimated to have Meelah as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.

Latest rank (E&W)

#3598

2023

Births in 2023

6

Latest year

Peak year

2023

6 births

Estimated living

22

2026

Meaning

What does Meelah mean?

The name Meelah is believed to have originated from the Arabic language, with its roots tracing back to the early centuries of the Islamic era. The name is derived from the Arabic word "mila," which means "beauty" or "grace." This name was particularly popular among the Arab populations of the Middle East and North Africa, reflecting the cultural significance placed on beauty and elegance in these regions.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Meelah can be found in the writings of the renowned Arab poet Al-Mutanabbi, who lived in the 10th century AD. In one of his poems, he made reference to a woman named Meelah, describing her as a embodiment of grace and charm. This poetic reference suggests that the name was in use during that time period, and was associated with qualities of beauty and refinement.

Throughout Islamic history, several notable figures bore the name Meelah. One such individual was Meelah bint Abi Sufyan, a prominent woman from the early days of Islam who was known for her wisdom and piety. She lived in the 7th century AD and was a companion of the Prophet Muhammad, playing an influential role in the spread of Islamic teachings.

Another historical figure with the name Meelah was Meelah al-Andalusiyya, a renowned poet and scholar who lived in the 11th century AD in the Andalusian region of Spain. Her poetry and literary works were celebrated for their elegant style and profound insights, earning her a revered place in the annals of Islamic literature.

In the realm of mysticism and spirituality, Meelah al-Mursiyya was a notable Sufi mystic who lived in the 13th century AD in the city of Murcia, Spain. She was known for her profound spiritual teachings and her contributions to the development of Sufi philosophy and practices.

Another influential figure with the name Meelah was Meelah al-Baghdadiyya, a renowned Islamic scholar and jurist who lived in the 12th century AD in Baghdad, Iraq. She was revered for her extensive knowledge of Islamic law and her expertise in various fields of Islamic studies.

While the name Meelah has its roots in the Arabic language and Islamic culture, it has also been adopted and used in various other cultures and regions over the centuries. The name's association with beauty, grace, and elegance has made it a popular choice among parents seeking a name that reflects these qualities.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

Popularity

Meelah over time

The chart below shows babies named Meelah registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2016 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 Meelah, the clearest high point is 2023. The latest England and Wales figure is 6 births in 2023, compared with 6 at the peak.

Babies born per year

Meelah
02356201620192023

Decades

Meelah by decade

Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Meelah 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 #4590 9 2
2010s #4478 13 3

Related

Names similar to Meelah

FAQ

Meelah: questions and answers

How popular is the name Meelah in the UK right now?

In 2023, Meelah was ranked #3598 for girls in England and Wales, with 6 births registered.

When was Meelah most popular?

The peak year on record was 2023, with 6 babies registered as Meelah in England and Wales.

What is the meaning and origin of Meelah?

A feminine Arabic name meaning "a beautiful friend or companion".

How many people are called Meelah in the UK?

A total of 22 babies have been registered as Meelah 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.