NameCensus.

UK girl's name

Nishtha

Feminine name of Sanskrit origin meaning dedication, devotion, or loyalty.

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.

Nishtha is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Nishtha popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #5891, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2009, with 4 births.

This profile covers 40 England and Wales registrations across 12 recorded years from 2002 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 75% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.

We estimate that about 40 living people in the UK are called Nishtha. 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

  • Nishtha ranked #5891 for girls in England and Wales in 2024, with 3 registrations.
  • The name peaked in 2009, when 4 girls were registered as Nishtha.
  • About 40 living people in the UK are estimated to have Nishtha as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.

Latest rank (E&W)

#5891

2024

Births in 2024

3

Latest year

Peak year

2009

4 births

Estimated living

40

2026

Meaning

What does Nishtha mean?

The name Nishtha is of Sanskrit origin, derived from the word "niṣṭhā," which means "devotion," "faith," or "steadfastness." This name has its roots in ancient Indian culture and can be traced back to the Vedic period, which spans from around 1500 BCE to 500 BCE.

The earliest recorded usage of the name Nishtha can be found in ancient Hindu scriptures, such as the Upanishads and the Bhagavad Gita. These sacred texts often refer to the concept of nishtha, emphasizing the importance of unwavering devotion and commitment to one's spiritual path or values.

One of the earliest known individuals with the name Nishtha was a renowned scholar and philosopher who lived during the 6th century BCE. She is often referred to as Nishtha the Wise and is credited with contributing significantly to the development of Indian philosophy and spirituality.

In the 12th century, a prominent Indian mystic and poet named Nishtha Devi rose to fame for her devotional poetry and spiritual teachings. Her works are still widely read and celebrated in certain regions of India today.

During the 16th century, a renowned Indian painter named Nishtha Thakur was known for her exquisite miniature paintings depicting scenes from Hindu mythology. Her artwork is now housed in various museums and galleries around the world.

In the 19th century, Nishtha Bai was a revered courtesan and classical dancer from the city of Lucknow, famous for her mastery of the Kathak dance form. She was highly respected for her contributions to preserving and promoting traditional Indian dance.

Another notable figure with the name Nishtha was Nishtha Mukherjee, a renowned Indian novelist and playwright who lived from 1917 to 1993. Her literary works explored themes of social justice, feminism, and the human condition, earning her widespread acclaim and numerous accolades.

Throughout history, the name Nishtha has been associated with values of devotion, steadfastness, and commitment to one's beliefs or aspirations. It has been borne by individuals from various walks of life, including scholars, artists, poets, and spiritual leaders, reflecting the name's deep-rooted cultural and philosophical significance.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

Popularity

Nishtha over time

The chart below shows babies named Nishtha registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2002 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 Nishtha, the clearest high point is 2009. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2024, compared with 4 at the peak.

Babies born per year

Nishtha
01234200220132024

Decades

Nishtha by decade

Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Nishtha 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 #5408 10 3
2010s #5434 20 6
2000s #4587 10 3

Related

Names similar to Nishtha

FAQ

Nishtha: questions and answers

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

In 2024, Nishtha was ranked #5891 for girls in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.

When was Nishtha most popular?

The peak year on record was 2009, with 4 babies registered as Nishtha in England and Wales.

What is the meaning and origin of Nishtha?

Feminine name of Sanskrit origin meaning dedication, devotion, or loyalty.

How many people are called Nishtha in the UK?

A total of 40 babies have been registered as Nishtha across the 12 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.