UK girl's name
Nadirah
A feminine name of Arabic origin meaning "rare, precious, valuable.".
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.
Nadirah is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Nadirah popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2023 in this profile. In that release it ranked #5687, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2001, with 10 births.
This profile covers 82 England and Wales registrations across 15 recorded years from 1999 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 30% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 82 living people in the UK are called Nadirah. 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
- • Nadirah ranked #5687 for girls in England and Wales in 2023, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2001, when 10 girls were registered as Nadirah.
- • About 82 living people in the UK are estimated to have Nadirah as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#5687
2023
Births in 2023
3
Latest year
Peak year
2001
10 births
Estimated living
82
2026
Meaning
What does Nadirah mean?
The name Nadirah finds its roots in the Arabic language and culture, originating in the Middle East. It is derived from the Arabic word "nadir," which means "rare" or "precious." The name is believed to have been in use since ancient times, although its exact origins are uncertain.
One of the earliest known references to the name Nadirah can be found in Islamic literature and poetry from the 7th century AD. The name is mentioned in a few verses of the Quran, the holy book of Islam, which suggests its significance and usage during that era.
Throughout history, the name Nadirah has been borne by several notable figures. One of the earliest recorded individuals with this name was Nadirah bint Al-Mundhir, a 7th-century Arab poet and warrior from the Ghassanid dynasty. She was known for her bravery and skill in battle, as well as her poetic talents.
Another prominent figure with the name Nadirah was Nadirah Al-Hamdaniyah, a 10th-century Arab mathematician and astronomer. She made significant contributions to the fields of mathematics and astronomy, and her works were widely studied and referenced by scholars of her time.
In the 12th century, Nadirah bint Al-Husayn was a renowned Islamic scholar and teacher from Baghdad. She was highly respected for her knowledge of Islamic jurisprudence and her ability to interpret religious texts.
Nadirah Al-Baghdadiyah, a 13th-century Arab poet and calligrapher, was also a notable figure who bore this name. Her poetry was widely admired, and she was considered a master of the art of calligraphy.
In more recent history, Nadirah Thalith was an Indonesian poet and writer who lived in the 20th century. She was known for her powerful and emotional poetry that explored themes of love, loss, and the human experience.
While the name Nadirah has its roots in the Arabic language and culture, it has been adopted and used in various regions and communities around the world. Its meaning and significance, however, have remained consistent, reflecting its association with rarity, preciousness, and beauty.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Nadirah over time
The chart below shows babies named Nadirah registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1999 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 Nadirah, the clearest high point is 2001. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2023, compared with 10 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Nadirah by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Nadirah 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 | #5687 | 3 | 1 |
| 2010s | #4312 | 15 | 3 |
| 2000s | #3148 | 61 | 10 |
| 1990s | #3900 | 3 | 1 |
Related
Names similar to Nadirah
- 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
Nadirah: questions and answers
How popular is the name Nadirah in the UK right now?
In 2023, Nadirah was ranked #5687 for girls in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Nadirah most popular?
The peak year on record was 2001, with 10 babies registered as Nadirah in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Nadirah?
A feminine name of Arabic origin meaning "rare, precious, valuable.".
How many people are called Nadirah in the UK?
A total of 82 babies have been registered as Nadirah across the 15 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.