NameCensus.

UK girl's name

Najwa

A feminine Arabic name meaning "summit" or "highest point".

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.

Najwa is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Najwa 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 2012, with 7 births.

This profile covers 75 England and Wales registrations across 19 recorded years from 1998 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 43% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.

We estimate that about 75 living people in the UK are called Najwa. 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

  • Najwa ranked #5891 for girls in England and Wales in 2024, with 3 registrations.
  • The name peaked in 2012, when 7 girls were registered as Najwa.
  • About 75 living people in the UK are estimated to have Najwa 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

2012

7 births

Estimated living

75

2026

Meaning

What does Najwa mean?

The name Najwa has its origins rooted in the Arabic language and culture, dating back to ancient times. It is derived from the Arabic word "najwa," which means "whisper" or "intimate conversation." The name carries connotations of privacy, confidentiality, and the sharing of secrets.

Historically, the name Najwa has been associated with the Arabian Peninsula, particularly the regions of modern-day Saudi Arabia and the Persian Gulf. Its earliest recorded usage can be traced back to pre-Islamic poetry and literature, where it was often used as a metaphor for the intimate exchange of thoughts and feelings between lovers or close companions.

In Islamic tradition, the name Najwa holds significance as it appears in the Quran, the holy book of Islam. Specifically, it is mentioned in Surah An-Najm (Chapter 53, Verse 10), which refers to a divine revelation received by the Prophet Muhammad. This connection has contributed to the name's popularity among Muslim communities worldwide.

One of the earliest recorded individuals bearing the name Najwa was Najwa bint Al-Husayn (born in the 7th century CE), a prominent figure in early Islamic history. She was the daughter of Husayn ibn Ali, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad, and played a crucial role in preserving the legacy of her family after the tragic events of Karbala.

Another notable bearer of the name was Najwa Karam (born in 1966), a renowned Lebanese singer and actress. She has been a prominent figure in the Arabic music industry for several decades and has been recognized for her contributions to the preservation and promotion of traditional Arabic music.

In the literary world, Najwa Barakat (born in 1956) is a prominent Lebanese novelist and academic. Her works, such as "The Stone of Laughter" and "The Tiller of Waters," explore themes of identity, memory, and the complexities of the Arab diaspora experience.

Najwa Bin Shatwan (born in the 6th century CE) was a renowned Arab poet from the pre-Islamic era. Her poetry, which often celebrated love and nature, has been preserved and studied by scholars for its literary merit and historical significance.

Lastly, Najwa Shihab (born in 1952) is an Indonesian journalist, writer, and women's rights activist. She has been a prominent voice in advocating for gender equality and addressing social issues in Indonesia, and her work has earned her numerous accolades and recognition.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

Popularity

Najwa over time

The chart below shows babies named Najwa registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1998 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 Najwa, the clearest high point is 2012. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2024, compared with 7 at the peak.

Babies born per year

Najwa
02457199820112024

Decades

Najwa by decade

Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Najwa 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 #5174 15 4
2010s #4902 33 8
2000s #4043 20 5
1990s #3521 7 2

Related

Names similar to Najwa

FAQ

Najwa: questions and answers

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

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

When was Najwa most popular?

The peak year on record was 2012, with 7 babies registered as Najwa in England and Wales.

What is the meaning and origin of Najwa?

A feminine Arabic name meaning "summit" or "highest point".

How many people are called Najwa in the UK?

A total of 75 babies have been registered as Najwa across the 19 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.