UK girl's name
Nairah
Feminine name of Arabic origin meaning "shining and luminous".
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.
Nairah is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Nairah popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #3015, with 8 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2023, with 13 births.
This profile covers 64 England and Wales registrations across 10 recorded years from 1996 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 62% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 64 living people in the UK are called Nairah. 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
- • Nairah ranked #3015 for girls in England and Wales in 2024, with 8 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2023, when 13 girls were registered as Nairah.
- • About 64 living people in the UK are estimated to have Nairah as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#3015
2024
Births in 2024
8
Latest year
Peak year
2023
13 births
Estimated living
64
2026
Meaning
What does Nairah mean?
Nairah is a name with roots tracing back to the Arabic language and culture. Its origin can be linked to the Arabic word "Nour," which means "light" or "radiance." The name Nairah is believed to have emerged during the early Islamic era, around the 7th century AD, in the Arabian Peninsula.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Nairah can be found in ancient Arabic poetry and literature. It was often used as a poetic metaphor to describe the beauty and radiance of a woman or a celestial body. In some interpretations, the name Nairah is also associated with the concept of guidance and enlightenment.
Throughout history, the name Nairah has been borne by several notable figures. One of the earliest recorded individuals with this name was Nairah bint Al-Mundhir, a 7th-century Arabian poet and scholar from the tribe of Banu Bakr. Her poetry was widely acclaimed during her lifetime and is still studied today.
Another prominent figure named Nairah was Nairah bint Abi Al-Hakam, a 9th-century scholar and teacher from Medina. She was renowned for her expertise in Islamic jurisprudence and hadith studies, and many scholars sought her knowledge and guidance.
In the 11th century, Nairah al-Andalusiyya was a renowned Andalusian poet and literary figure. Her works explored themes of love, nature, and the human experience, and she was celebrated for her mastery of the Arabic language.
During the 13th century, Nairah al-Baghdadi was a prominent physician and scholar from Baghdad. She made significant contributions to the field of medicine and authored several treatises on various medical topics.
In more recent times, Nairah Al-Sudairi, born in 1958, was a member of the Saudi royal family and a philanthropist. She was known for her charitable work and her efforts to promote education and women's empowerment in Saudi Arabia.
While the name Nairah has its roots in the Arabic language and culture, it has gained popularity across different regions and communities over time. The name's association with light, radiance, and guidance has resonated with people from diverse backgrounds, making it a timeless and meaningful choice for parents.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Nairah over time
The chart below shows babies named Nairah registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1996 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 Nairah, the clearest high point is 2023. The latest England and Wales figure is 8 births in 2024, compared with 13 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Nairah by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Nairah 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 | #3072 | 34 | 4 |
| 2010s | #4306 | 27 | 5 |
| 1990s | #3795 | 3 | 1 |
Related
Names similar to Nairah
- 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
Nairah: questions and answers
How popular is the name Nairah in the UK right now?
In 2024, Nairah was ranked #3015 for girls in England and Wales, with 8 births registered.
When was Nairah most popular?
The peak year on record was 2023, with 13 babies registered as Nairah in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Nairah?
Feminine name of Arabic origin meaning "shining and luminous".
How many people are called Nairah in the UK?
A total of 64 babies have been registered as Nairah across the 10 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.