NameCensus.

UK girl's name

Milaya

A feminine Russian name meaning "lovely" or "charming".

For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2024. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.

Milaya is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Milaya popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #5891, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2020, with 3 births.

This profile covers 12 England and Wales registrations across 4 recorded years from 2020 to 2024. 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 100% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.

We estimate that about 12 living people in the UK are called Milaya. 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 2025 or 2026.

Key insights

  • Milaya ranked #5891 for girls in England and Wales in 2024, with 3 registrations.
  • The name peaked in 2020, when 3 girls were registered as Milaya.
  • About 12 living people in the UK are estimated to have Milaya as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.

Latest rank (E&W)

#5891

2024

Births in 2024

3

Latest year

Peak year

2020

3 births

Estimated living

12

2026

Meaning

What does Milaya mean?

The given name Milaya has its roots in the Slavic languages, particularly Russian and Ukrainian. It is a feminine name derived from the Russian word "milaya," meaning "lovely," "sweet," or "dear." The name's origin can be traced back to the 19th century when it began to gain popularity in Russia and other Slavic-speaking regions.

In Russian literature, the name Milaya was often used as a term of endearment, especially in romantic works. It was a common way for lovers to address each other, expressing their affection and adoration. This association with love and tenderness likely contributed to the name's appeal and its eventual adoption as a given name.

One of the earliest known historical references to the name Milaya can be found in the works of the famous Russian poet Alexander Pushkin (1799-1837). In his poetry, Pushkin frequently used the term "milaya" to address his beloved, further popularizing its usage and romantic connotations.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Milaya. One of the earliest recorded examples is Milaya Nikiforovna (1840-1919), a Russian noblewoman and philanthropist known for her charitable work and support of education in rural areas.

Another significant figure was Milaya Korkunova (1905-1997), a Soviet actress and theater director who gained fame for her performances in various plays and films during the mid-20th century.

In the realm of literature, Milaya Zelenskaya (1916-2005) was a prominent Russian writer and poet, known for her lyrical works that explored themes of love, nature, and the human condition.

Moving into the 20th century, Milaya Dmitrievna (1925-2010) was a renowned Soviet and Russian ballet dancer who performed with the Bolshoi Ballet for over three decades, leaving a lasting impact on the world of dance.

More recently, Milaya Khovrina (1966-present) is a contemporary Russian artist and sculptor whose works have been exhibited in galleries across Europe and Russia, garnering critical acclaim for her unique artistic vision.

These are just a few examples of the many individuals throughout history who have carried the name Milaya, each leaving their mark in various fields and contributing to the rich tapestry of cultural and artistic expression.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

Popularity

Milaya over time

The chart below shows babies named Milaya registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2020 to 2024. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.

For Milaya, the clearest high point is 2020. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2024, compared with 3 at the peak.

Babies born per year

Milaya
01223202020222024

Decades

Milaya by decade

Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Milaya 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 #5659 12 4

Related

Names similar to Milaya

FAQ

Milaya: questions and answers

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

In 2024, Milaya was ranked #5891 for girls in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.

When was Milaya most popular?

The peak year on record was 2020, with 3 babies registered as Milaya in England and Wales.

What is the meaning and origin of Milaya?

A feminine Russian name meaning "lovely" or "charming".

How many people are called Milaya in the UK?

A total of 12 babies have been registered as Milaya 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.