UK girl's name
Oprah
A feminine name of Biblical origin meaning "fawn".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2014. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Oprah is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Oprah popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2014 in this profile. In that release it ranked #5691, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 1999, with 3 births.
This profile covers 12 England and Wales registrations across 4 recorded years from 1999 to 2014. 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 12 living people in the UK are called Oprah. 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 2015 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Oprah ranked #5691 for girls in England and Wales in 2014, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 1999, when 3 girls were registered as Oprah.
- • About 12 living people in the UK are estimated to have Oprah as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#5691
2014
Births in 2014
3
Latest year
Peak year
1999
3 births
Estimated living
12
2026
Meaning
What does Oprah mean?
The name Oprah is a unique and intriguing one, with its origins shrouded in mystery and speculation. Some scholars believe it may be derived from the ancient Hebrew word "oprah," which means "fawn" or "young deer." This connection could suggest that the name was initially associated with grace, beauty, and gentleness.
Another theory traces the name's roots to the Sanskrit language, where "apara" means "other" or "beyond." This potential etymology implies a sense of transcendence or a journey towards the unknown. However, the exact cultural and linguistic origins of the name remain elusive, adding to its enigmatic allure.
In terms of historical references, the name Oprah is not widely documented in ancient texts or religious scriptures. This scarcity of early written records contributes to the mystique surrounding its origins and early usage.
The earliest recorded instances of the name Oprah are relatively recent, with the first known person bearing the name being Oprah Winfrey, the renowned American media mogul, actress, and philanthropist. Born in 1954, Oprah Winfrey has undoubtedly been the most influential and recognizable individual to carry this name.
While Oprah Winfrey's prominence has brought the name into the global spotlight, a few other notable individuals throughout history have also shared this moniker. For instance, Oprah Gail Winfrey (1935-2003), the cousin of the famous talk show host, was a civil rights activist and educator in her own right.
Another individual bearing the name Oprah was Oprah Mae Mickens (1926-2008), an American gospel singer and songwriter who contributed to the rich tapestry of African American music in the 20th century.
In the realm of literature, Oprah Garnett (1858-1919) was a British author and playwright known for her novels and plays depicting the lives of working-class women in late Victorian England.
Lastly, Oprah Sidonie Gabriel (1858-1925) was a French painter and engraver who gained recognition for her portraits and landscapes during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
While these examples provide glimpses into the historical usage of the name Oprah, its true origins and early evolution remain enigmatic, adding to the allure and intrigue surrounding this unique moniker.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Oprah over time
The chart below shows babies named Oprah registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1999 to 2014. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Oprah, the clearest high point is 1999. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2014, compared with 3 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Oprah by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Oprah 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 | #5691 | 3 | 1 |
| 2000s | #5551 | 6 | 2 |
| 1990s | #3900 | 3 | 1 |
Related
Names similar to Oprah
- Olivia 123,111
- Orla 10,799
- Olive 6,815
- Ophelia 4,939
- Ottilie 4,407
- Oliwia 2,608
- Ocean 1,811
- Orlaith 1,357
- Olivia-Rose 1,250
- Octavia 1,243
- Olivia-Grace 618
- Orlagh 608
FAQ
Oprah: questions and answers
How popular is the name Oprah in the UK right now?
In 2014, Oprah was ranked #5691 for girls in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Oprah most popular?
The peak year on record was 1999, with 3 babies registered as Oprah in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Oprah?
A feminine name of Biblical origin meaning "fawn".
How many people are called Oprah in the UK?
A total of 12 babies have been registered as Oprah across the 4 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.