UK girl's name
Niha
An Arabic name meaning "journey" or "wandering".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2014. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Niha is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Niha popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2014 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4003, with 5 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2004, with 5 births.
This profile covers 26 England and Wales registrations across 7 recorded years from 2000 to 2014. 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 26 living people in the UK are called Niha. 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 2015 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Niha ranked #4003 for girls in England and Wales in 2014, with 5 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2004, when 5 girls were registered as Niha.
- • About 26 living people in the UK are estimated to have Niha as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#4003
2014
Births in 2014
5
Latest year
Peak year
2004
5 births
Estimated living
26
2026
Meaning
What does Niha mean?
The name Niha has its roots in the Sanskrit language, originating in ancient India. It is believed to have been derived from the Sanskrit word "niha," which means "cloud" or "mist." The name has been in use for centuries across the Indian subcontinent.
One of the earliest recorded references to the name Niha can be found in the ancient Hindu text, the Mahabharata, where it is mentioned as the name of a celestial nymph. This suggests that the name has been associated with beauty and grace from a very early period.
In the 7th century CE, a famous poet named Niha Shukla was renowned for his works in Sanskrit literature. He is considered one of the pioneers of the "Vatsyayana" tradition of poetry, which celebrated love and romance.
During the medieval period, Niha Devi was a prominent queen who ruled over the Kannauj region in northern India. She is remembered for her patronage of the arts and her efforts in promoting cultural exchange between different regions of the subcontinent.
In the 18th century, Niha Rao was a notable military leader who fought against the Mughal Empire. He is celebrated for his bravery and tactical skills in defending his kingdom from the invading forces.
More recently, Niha Masih was a renowned Indian sculptor and artist who lived in the early 20th century. Her works, which often depicted scenes from Hindu mythology, are celebrated for their intricate details and artistic expression.
While the name Niha has its origins in India, it has gained popularity in various parts of the world due to its melodious sound and rich cultural heritage. The name continues to be used across different regions, carrying with it a sense of grace, beauty, and cultural significance.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Niha over time
The chart below shows babies named Niha registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2000 to 2014. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Niha, the clearest high point is 2004. The latest England and Wales figure is 5 births in 2014, compared with 5 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Niha by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Niha 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 | #4894 | 8 | 2 |
| 2000s | #4478 | 18 | 5 |
Related
Names similar to Niha
- 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
Niha: questions and answers
How popular is the name Niha in the UK right now?
In 2014, Niha was ranked #4003 for girls in England and Wales, with 5 births registered.
When was Niha most popular?
The peak year on record was 2004, with 5 babies registered as Niha in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Niha?
An Arabic name meaning "journey" or "wandering".
How many people are called Niha in the UK?
A total of 26 babies have been registered as Niha across the 7 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.