NameCensus.

UK girl's name

Ona

Of Hawaiian origin, a feminine name meaning "the generous one".

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.

Ona is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Ona popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #2411, with 11 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2022, with 11 births.

This profile covers 109 England and Wales registrations across 16 recorded years from 2005 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 100% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.

We estimate that about 109 living people in the UK are called Ona. 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

  • Ona ranked #2411 for girls in England and Wales in 2024, with 11 registrations.
  • The name peaked in 2022, when 11 girls were registered as Ona.
  • About 109 living people in the UK are estimated to have Ona as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.

Latest rank (E&W)

#2411

2024

Births in 2024

11

Latest year

Peak year

2022

11 births

Estimated living

109

2026

Meaning

What does Ona mean?

The name Ona has its origins in the Hawaiian language and culture. It is a feminine name derived from the Hawaiian word 'ona', which means 'beautiful' or 'delightful'. The name has been in use in Hawaii for centuries and is believed to have been given to newborn girls whose beauty was seen as a gift from the gods.

In ancient Hawaiian mythology, there are several references to the name Ona. One of the most notable is the story of the goddess Pele, the deity of fire and volcanoes. According to legend, Pele had a younger sister named Ona, who was known for her grace and beauty. Ona was said to be a skilled dancer and her movements were compared to the gentle swaying of the ocean waves.

The earliest recorded use of the name Ona can be traced back to the 18th century. One of the first notable individuals to bear the name was Ona Kaʻohelelani, a Hawaiian chiefess who lived during the late 1700s. She was known for her intelligence and leadership skills, and played a significant role in the political affairs of her time.

Throughout history, several other notable individuals have been named Ona. In the 19th century, Ona Paishon was a Native American activist from the Choctaw Nation, who advocated for the rights of her people during the era of forced relocation and the Trail of Tears.

Another notable Ona was Ona Jacobson, a Swedish-American artist and illustrator who lived from 1899 to 1968. She was known for her vibrant and colorful illustrations, which often featured scenes from nature and the natural world.

In the 20th century, Ona Munson was an American actress and singer who appeared in numerous Broadway productions and Hollywood films. She was born in 1903 and her career spanned several decades, from the 1920s to the 1960s.

Ona Simanavičienė was a Lithuanian writer and activist who lived from 1899 to 1970. She was a prominent figure in the Lithuanian independence movement and her works often explored themes of national identity and the struggle for freedom.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

Popularity

Ona over time

The chart below shows babies named Ona registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2005 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 Ona, the clearest high point is 2022. The latest England and Wales figure is 11 births in 2024, compared with 11 at the peak.

Babies born per year

Ona
036811200520142024

Decades

Ona by decade

Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Ona 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 #3119 40 5
2010s #3461 61 9
2000s #4367 8 2

Related

Names similar to Ona

FAQ

Ona: questions and answers

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

In 2024, Ona was ranked #2411 for girls in England and Wales, with 11 births registered.

When was Ona most popular?

The peak year on record was 2022, with 11 babies registered as Ona in England and Wales.

What is the meaning and origin of Ona?

Of Hawaiian origin, a feminine name meaning "the generous one".

How many people are called Ona in the UK?

A total of 109 babies have been registered as Ona across the 16 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.