UK girl's name
Nirah
A feminine name of Arabic origin meaning "light" or "radiant".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2000. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Nirah is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Nirah popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2000 in this profile. In that release it ranked #3912, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2000, with 3 births.
This profile covers 3 England and Wales registrations across 1 recorded years from 2000 to 2000. 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.
Nirah is at its recorded peak in the England and Wales series.
We estimate that about 3 living people in the UK are called Nirah. 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 2001 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Nirah ranked #3912 for girls in England and Wales in 2000, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2000, when 3 girls were registered as Nirah.
- • About 3 living people in the UK are estimated to have Nirah as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#3912
2000
Births in 2000
3
Latest year
Peak year
2000
3 births
Estimated living
3
2026
Meaning
What does Nirah mean?
The given name Nirah has its origins in the Sanskrit language, which was the predominant language of ancient India and the liturgical language of Hinduism, Jainism, and Buddhism. The name is derived from the Sanskrit word "nir," which means "without," and "aha," which means "day." Thus, the name Nirah could be interpreted to mean "without day" or "eternal."
In Hindu mythology, Nirah is mentioned as the name of a celestial nymph or apsara, who was known for her extraordinary beauty and grace. The name is also found in some ancient Hindu texts and scriptures, such as the Vedas and the Puranas, where it is associated with divine beings and celestial realms.
One of the earliest recorded examples of the name Nirah dates back to the 6th century BCE when it was used by a famous Indian philosopher and scholar, Nirah Katyayana. He is credited with establishing the principles of Sanskrit grammar and is considered one of the most influential figures in the development of the Sanskrit language.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Nirah. Nirah Devi was a renowned Indian classical dancer and choreographer who lived in the 20th century (1925-2011) and was instrumental in reviving and promoting the Odissi dance form.
Another famous Nirah was Nirah Terela, an Indian freedom fighter and social reformer who lived during the British Raj in the 19th century (1823-1896). She actively participated in the Indian independence movement and worked tirelessly for the upliftment of women's education and social welfare.
In the realm of literature, Nirah Chandra Majumdar (1888-1983) was a celebrated Bengali writer and poet who made significant contributions to modern Bengali literature. His works often explored themes of spirituality, humanity, and social issues.
Nirah Mani Dixit (1938-2022) was a prominent Indian jurist who served as the Chief Justice of India from 2008 to 2010. He played a pivotal role in upholding the principles of judicial independence and was known for his fair and impartial judgments.
Lastly, Nirah Kaur (born 1985) is a contemporary Indian-Canadian actress and model who has appeared in various Bollywood and Hollywood films, gaining recognition for her talent and beauty on the global stage.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Decades
Nirah by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Nirah 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | #3912 | 3 | 1 |
Related
Names similar to Nirah
- 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
Nirah: questions and answers
How popular is the name Nirah in the UK right now?
In 2000, Nirah was ranked #3912 for girls in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Nirah most popular?
The peak year on record was 2000, with 3 babies registered as Nirah in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Nirah?
A feminine name of Arabic origin meaning "light" or "radiant".
How many people are called Nirah in the UK?
A total of 3 babies have been registered as Nirah 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.