NameCensus.

UK girl's name

Nalisha

A feminine name of undetermined origin, possibly meaning "precious jewel" or "prosperous".

For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 1998. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.

Nalisha is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Nalisha popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 1998 in this profile. In that release it ranked #3848, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 1998, with 3 births.

This profile covers 3 England and Wales registrations across 1 recorded years from 1998 to 1998. 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.

Nalisha is at its recorded peak in the England and Wales series.

We estimate that about 3 living people in the UK are called Nalisha. 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 1999 or 2026.

Key insights

  • Nalisha ranked #3848 for girls in England and Wales in 1998, with 3 registrations.
  • The name peaked in 1998, when 3 girls were registered as Nalisha.
  • About 3 living people in the UK are estimated to have Nalisha as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.

Latest rank (E&W)

#3848

1998

Births in 1998

3

Latest year

Peak year

1998

3 births

Estimated living

3

2026

Meaning

What does Nalisha mean?

The name Nalisha has its origins in the Sanskrit language, an ancient Indo-Aryan language that dates back to the 2nd millennium BCE. It is believed to be derived from the Sanskrit word "nalina," which means "lotus." The lotus flower holds deep spiritual significance in Hindu and Buddhist traditions, symbolizing purity, enlightenment, and divine beauty.

Nalisha was a relatively uncommon name in ancient India, but it has been mentioned in a few historical records and literary works. One notable reference is found in the Mahabharata, a Sanskrit epic poem that dates back to around the 8th century BCE. In the text, Nalisha is described as a beautiful and virtuous princess from the kingdom of Virata.

The earliest recorded individual with the name Nalisha can be traced back to the 7th century CE. Nalisha was a renowned Buddhist scholar and poet who lived in the region of present-day Bengal, India. She is credited with writing several devotional poems and hymns that were widely studied and recited in Buddhist monasteries.

In the 12th century, Nalisha was the name of a famous courtesan and dancer in the court of the Chalukya dynasty, which ruled parts of southern India. Her beauty and talent as a performer were celebrated in the writings of several poets and chroniclers of that era.

During the Mughal Empire, which ruled over much of the Indian subcontinent from the 16th to the 19th centuries, Nalisha was the name of a skilled calligrapher and artist. Her intricate calligraphic works adorned the walls of several Mughal palaces and monuments, including the famous Taj Mahal.

In more recent history, Nalisha was the name of a prominent Indian freedom fighter and social activist who lived in the early 20th century. She was actively involved in the non-violent resistance movement against British colonial rule and worked tirelessly for the empowerment of women and the underprivileged.

While the name Nalisha has its roots in ancient Sanskrit, it has been adopted and used across various cultures and regions over the centuries. Its association with the lotus flower and its symbolism of purity and enlightenment has contributed to its enduring appeal and popularity.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

Decades

Nalisha by decade

Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Nalisha 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
1990s #3848 3 1

Related

Names similar to Nalisha

FAQ

Nalisha: questions and answers

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

In 1998, Nalisha was ranked #3848 for girls in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.

When was Nalisha most popular?

The peak year on record was 1998, with 3 babies registered as Nalisha in England and Wales.

What is the meaning and origin of Nalisha?

A feminine name of undetermined origin, possibly meaning "precious jewel" or "prosperous".

How many people are called Nalisha in the UK?

A total of 3 babies have been registered as Nalisha across the 1 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.