UK girl's name
Nabia
A feminine name of Arabic origin meaning "sublime" or "elevated".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2015. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Nabia is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Nabia popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2015 in this profile. In that release it ranked #5730, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 1999, with 3 births.
This profile covers 6 England and Wales registrations across 2 recorded years from 1999 to 2015. 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 6 living people in the UK are called Nabia. 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 2016 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Nabia ranked #5730 for girls in England and Wales in 2015, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 1999, when 3 girls were registered as Nabia.
- • About 6 living people in the UK are estimated to have Nabia as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#5730
2015
Births in 2015
3
Latest year
Peak year
1999
3 births
Estimated living
6
2026
Meaning
What does Nabia mean?
The name Nabia is of Arabic origin, derived from the word "naba'a," which means "to rise" or "to be elevated." It is a feminine name that gained popularity in the Middle East and North Africa regions, where Arabic is widely spoken.
The earliest recorded use of the name Nabia can be traced back to the 7th century CE, during the time of the Islamic Golden Age. It is believed to have been inspired by the Arabic phrase "naba'a al-'ilm," which translates to "the rise of knowledge or wisdom."
In Islamic literature, the name Nabia is mentioned in several historical texts and religious scriptures. One notable reference is found in the Qur'an, where the word "naba'a" is used to describe the revelation of divine knowledge.
Throughout history, several notable figures have borne the name Nabia. One of the earliest recorded examples is Nabia al-Khatib (1030-1095 CE), a renowned Arab poet and scholar from Basra, Iraq, known for her contributions to Arabic literature and philosophy.
Another prominent figure with the name Nabia is Nabia Abbott (1897-1981), an American scholar and historian who specialized in Arabic and Islamic studies. She was a pioneering figure in her field and contributed significantly to the understanding of early Islamic history and culture.
In the 20th century, Nabia Khayyat (1931-2011) was a renowned Syrian artist and ceramist, known for her intricate and vibrant pottery designs that celebrated Arabic cultural heritage.
Nabia Ziri (born 1958) is a contemporary Algerian writer and journalist, whose works focus on social and political issues in North Africa. She has received numerous accolades for her contributions to literature and journalism.
Nabia Tareq (born 1978) is a Bangladeshi human rights activist and social worker, known for her efforts in empowering women and promoting education in underprivileged communities.
The name Nabia continues to be popular in various parts of the world, particularly in Arabic-speaking regions, where it is often chosen for its historical significance and meaningful connotations of wisdom, knowledge, and elevation.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Nabia over time
The chart below shows babies named Nabia registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1999 to 2015. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Nabia, the clearest high point is 1999. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2015, compared with 3 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Nabia by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Nabia 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 | #5730 | 3 | 1 |
| 1990s | #3900 | 3 | 1 |
Related
Names similar to Nabia
- Niamh 20,347
- Nicole 19,687
- Natasha 15,578
- Nancy 12,607
- Naomi 12,199
- Natalie 10,885
- Nevaeh 7,869
- Nina 7,285
- Neve 7,180
- Natalia 7,099
- Nadia 6,032
- Nicola 4,927
FAQ
Nabia: questions and answers
How popular is the name Nabia in the UK right now?
In 2015, Nabia was ranked #5730 for girls in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Nabia most popular?
The peak year on record was 1999, with 3 babies registered as Nabia in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Nabia?
A feminine name of Arabic origin meaning "sublime" or "elevated".
How many people are called Nabia in the UK?
A total of 6 babies have been registered as Nabia across the 2 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.