NameCensus.

UK girl's name

Munisa

A feminine name of Arabic origin meaning "intimate friend" or "companion".

For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2014. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.

Munisa is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Munisa popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2014 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4684, with 4 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2006, with 4 births.

This profile covers 11 England and Wales registrations across 3 recorded years from 2005 to 2014. 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 11 living people in the UK are called Munisa. 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 2015 or 2026.

Key insights

  • Munisa ranked #4684 for girls in England and Wales in 2014, with 4 registrations.
  • The name peaked in 2006, when 4 girls were registered as Munisa.
  • About 11 living people in the UK are estimated to have Munisa as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.

Latest rank (E&W)

#4684

2014

Births in 2014

4

Latest year

Peak year

2006

4 births

Estimated living

11

2026

Meaning

What does Munisa mean?

The name Munisa has its origins in the Arabic language and culture. It is derived from the Arabic word "munees," which means "close friend" or "intimate companion." The name is believed to have been in use since the early Islamic era, around the 7th century CE.

In Islamic tradition, the name Munisa is often associated with the concept of friendship and companionship. Some scholars suggest that it may have been inspired by the close relationship between the Prophet Muhammad and his companions, known as the Sahabah.

One of the earliest recorded examples of the name Munisa can be found in the works of medieval Arab scholars and historians. For instance, the 10th-century historian Ibn al-Athir mentioned a woman named Munisa bint Abi Bakr, who lived during the early days of Islam.

Throughout history, several notable figures have borne the name Munisa. One such person was Munisa al-Kurdi (1590-1675), a celebrated Kurdish poet and scholar who lived during the Ottoman Empire. Her poetry explored themes of love, spirituality, and the beauty of nature.

Another notable Munisa was Munisa Rizvi (1901-1984), an Indian educationist and social reformer. She dedicated her life to promoting women's education and empowerment in British India and later in Pakistan.

In the realm of literature, Munisa Nayar (born 1952) is a prominent Pakistani writer and academic. Her works, including novels and short stories, explore themes of identity, cultural clashes, and the experiences of South Asian diaspora.

The name Munisa has also been borne by several influential figures in the world of art and culture. Munisa Naveed (born 1965) is a renowned Pakistani artist known for her vibrant and expressive paintings that depict the lives of women in South Asia.

Munisa Abdulla (1920-1998) was a revered Somali singer and songwriter who played a significant role in preserving and promoting traditional Somali music. Her powerful voice and poetic lyrics earned her a dedicated following across the Horn of Africa region.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

Popularity

Munisa over time

The chart below shows babies named Munisa registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2005 to 2014. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.

For Munisa, the clearest high point is 2006. The latest England and Wales figure is 4 births in 2014, compared with 4 at the peak.

Babies born per year

Munisa
01234200520092014

Decades

Munisa by decade

Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Munisa 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 #4684 4 1
2000s #4478 7 2

Related

Names similar to Munisa

FAQ

Munisa: questions and answers

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

In 2014, Munisa was ranked #4684 for girls in England and Wales, with 4 births registered.

When was Munisa most popular?

The peak year on record was 2006, with 4 babies registered as Munisa in England and Wales.

What is the meaning and origin of Munisa?

A feminine name of Arabic origin meaning "intimate friend" or "companion".

How many people are called Munisa in the UK?

A total of 11 babies have been registered as Munisa across the 3 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.