UK girl's name
Nilofar
A Persian name meaning "water lily" or "lotus flower".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2013. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Nilofar is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Nilofar popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2013 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4739, with 4 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2013, with 4 births.
This profile covers 4 England and Wales registrations across 1 recorded years from 2013 to 2013. 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.
Nilofar is at its recorded peak in the England and Wales series.
We estimate that about 4 living people in the UK are called Nilofar. 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 2014 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Nilofar ranked #4739 for girls in England and Wales in 2013, with 4 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2013, when 4 girls were registered as Nilofar.
- • About 4 living people in the UK are estimated to have Nilofar as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#4739
2013
Births in 2013
4
Latest year
Peak year
2013
4 births
Estimated living
4
2026
Meaning
What does Nilofar mean?
Nilofar is a Persian name derived from the words "Nil" meaning blue or azure, and "Ofar" meaning flower or blossom. The name originates from the ancient Persian language and culture, dating back to the 6th century BCE during the Achaemenid Empire in what is now modern-day Iran.
In Persian mythology, the blue lotus or Nilofar flower was considered a sacred and auspicious symbol of beauty, purity, and divinity. The name was often given to girls in hopes that they would embody these desirable qualities. Variations of the name's spelling include Nilufar, Nelofar, and Neloufar.
One of the earliest recorded uses of the name Nilofar can be found in the ancient Persian epic poem, the Shahnameh, written by the renowned poet Ferdowsi between 977 and 1010 CE. In this literary masterpiece, Nilofar is mentioned as the name of a beautiful princess.
Throughout history, several notable figures have borne the name Nilofar. One such figure was Nilofar Bahmani (1594-1672), a Persian princess and poet from the Bahmani Sultanate in the Deccan region of India. Her poetry explored themes of love, spirituality, and the natural world.
Another remarkable individual was Nilofar Bakhtiar (1949-2005), a Pakistani human rights activist and social worker. She dedicated her life to advocating for women's rights and empowerment, particularly in the field of education. Her efforts earned her numerous accolades, including the Sitara-e-Imtiaz, one of Pakistan's highest civilian honors.
In the realm of arts and culture, Nilofar Beyzaee (born 1966) is a prominent Iranian film director and screenwriter. Her works have received critical acclaim and have been screened at international film festivals, shedding light on social and cultural issues in Iran.
Nilofar Qadri (1956-2015) was an Indian classical singer and musician, renowned for her mastery of the Khayal and Thumri styles of Hindustani music. She received numerous awards and accolades, including the prestigious Padma Shri, India's fourth-highest civilian honor, in 2013.
Lastly, Nilofar Akmut (born 1976) is a Kyrgyz politician and human rights activist. She has served as a member of the Supreme Council of Kyrgyzstan and has been a vocal advocate for women's rights, democracy, and social justice in her country.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Decades
Nilofar by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Nilofar 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 | #4739 | 4 | 1 |
Related
Names similar to Nilofar
- 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
Nilofar: questions and answers
How popular is the name Nilofar in the UK right now?
In 2013, Nilofar was ranked #4739 for girls in England and Wales, with 4 births registered.
When was Nilofar most popular?
The peak year on record was 2013, with 4 babies registered as Nilofar in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Nilofar?
A Persian name meaning "water lily" or "lotus flower".
How many people are called Nilofar in the UK?
A total of 4 babies have been registered as Nilofar 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.