NameCensus.

UK girl's name

Nimra

A feminine name of Arabic origin meaning "gracious" or "heavenly light".

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.

Nimra is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Nimra popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4843, with 4 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2008, with 42 births.

This profile covers 618 England and Wales registrations across 29 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 10% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.

We estimate that about 614 living people in the UK are called Nimra. 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

  • Nimra ranked #4843 for girls in England and Wales in 2024, with 4 registrations.
  • The name peaked in 2008, when 42 girls were registered as Nimra.
  • About 614 living people in the UK are estimated to have Nimra as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.

Latest rank (E&W)

#4843

2024

Births in 2024

4

Latest year

Peak year

2008

42 births

Estimated living

614

2026

Meaning

What does Nimra mean?

The name Nimra has its roots in the Arabic language and culture, originating in the Middle East during the medieval period. It is derived from the Arabic word "nimr," which means "tiger" or "leopard." The name carries connotations of strength, power, and grace, qualities often associated with these majestic feline creatures.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Nimra can be found in the 9th century, when a renowned Arab poet and writer named Nimra bint Abdulrahman al-Ansariya lived. She was known for her exceptional literary talents and her contribution to the preservation of Arabic poetry and literature during the Abbasid era.

In the 11th century, Nimra al-Hamdaniya, a prominent female scholar and historian from the region of modern-day Iraq, gained recognition for her comprehensive work on the history of the Hamdanid dynasty. Her writings provided invaluable insights into the political and cultural landscape of that era.

During the 12th century, a notable figure named Nimra al-Qurashiya emerged as a respected jurist and theologian in the Islamic world. Her expertise in Islamic jurisprudence and her scholarly contributions to the interpretation of religious texts earned her a place among the intellectual elite of her time.

In the 14th century, Nimra al-Khaliliya, a skilled calligrapher and illuminator from the city of Khalil (modern-day Hebron), gained fame for her exquisite manuscripts adorned with intricate designs and ornamentations. Her artistry and attention to detail were celebrated throughout the region.

Fast-forwarding to the 20th century, Nimra Bucha, a Pakistani writer and activist born in 1944, made significant contributions to the literary and feminist movements in her country. Her works explored themes of gender equality, social justice, and the empowerment of women, earning her widespread recognition and acclaim.

Throughout history, the name Nimra has been associated with individuals who have left their mark in various fields, from literature and scholarship to art and activism. Its rich cultural heritage and powerful symbolism have endured across centuries, making it a name that continues to captivate and inspire.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

Popularity

Nimra over time

The chart below shows babies named Nimra 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 Nimra, the clearest high point is 2008. The latest England and Wales figure is 4 births in 2024, compared with 42 at the peak.

Babies born per year

Nimra
011213242199620102024

Decades

Nimra by decade

Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Nimra 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 #4017 27 5
2010s #1927 165 10
2000s #852 339 10
1990s #1051 87 4

Related

Names similar to Nimra

FAQ

Nimra: questions and answers

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

In 2024, Nimra was ranked #4843 for girls in England and Wales, with 4 births registered.

When was Nimra most popular?

The peak year on record was 2008, with 42 babies registered as Nimra in England and Wales.

What is the meaning and origin of Nimra?

A feminine name of Arabic origin meaning "gracious" or "heavenly light".

How many people are called Nimra in the UK?

A total of 618 babies have been registered as Nimra across the 29 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.