UK girl's name
Palak
A feminine name of Indian origin meaning "spinach".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2013. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Palak is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Palak popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2013 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4050, with 5 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2005, with 6 births.
This profile covers 22 England and Wales registrations across 5 recorded years from 2005 to 2013. 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 83% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 22 living people in the UK are called Palak. 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 2014 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Palak ranked #4050 for girls in England and Wales in 2013, with 5 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2005, when 6 girls were registered as Palak.
- • About 22 living people in the UK are estimated to have Palak as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#4050
2013
Births in 2013
5
Latest year
Peak year
2005
6 births
Estimated living
22
2026
Meaning
What does Palak mean?
Palak is a given name of Indian origin, derived from the Sanskrit word "palash," which refers to the flame or bright red color of the Butea monosperma tree, commonly known as the Flame of the Forest. The name is predominantly found in the northern regions of India and is associated with the Hindu culture.
The earliest known references to the name Palak can be traced back to ancient Hindu texts and scriptures. In the Puranas, a collection of ancient Hindu religious literature, the name is mentioned as one of the many names of the goddess Parvati, the consort of Lord Shiva. This association with divinity and spiritual significance contributed to the popularity of the name among Hindu communities.
In the historical context, the name Palak gained prominence during the medieval period in India. One notable figure bearing this name was Palak Deva, a ruler of the Chauhan dynasty who reigned in the 12th century CE. His reign was marked by military conquests and the construction of several forts and temples in the region now known as Rajasthan.
Another prominent individual with the name Palak was Palak Senani, a renowned Indian poet and writer from the 16th century. Born in the city of Jodhpur, Rajasthan, Palak Senani was renowned for his contributions to the Dingal literature, a genre of Rajasthani folk poetry. His works celebrated the valor of Rajput warriors and the beauty of the desert landscape.
In the realm of Indian classical music, the name Palak is associated with the renowned Hindustani classical vocalist and composer, Palak Bannerji (1912-1985). Born in Kolkata, West Bengal, she was a prominent figure in the Patiala and Jaipur gharanas (musical lineages) and is credited with popularizing the khyal style of singing.
Another noteworthy figure with the name Palak is Palak Sindhwani, an Indian chess player and Woman International Master. Born in 1992, she has represented India in numerous international chess tournaments and has won several prestigious titles, including the Asian Youth Chess Championship in 2007.
While the name Palak has its roots in the Hindu tradition, it has transcended cultural boundaries and is now found across various communities in India and among the Indian diaspora worldwide. The name continues to be popular among parents seeking a meaningful and culturally significant name for their daughters, reminiscent of the vibrant hues and rich heritage of the Indian subcontinent.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Palak over time
The chart below shows babies named Palak registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2005 to 2013. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Palak, the clearest high point is 2005. The latest England and Wales figure is 5 births in 2013, compared with 6 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Palak by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Palak 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 | #4918 | 8 | 2 |
| 2000s | #3807 | 14 | 3 |
Related
Names similar to Palak
- Poppy 52,802
- Phoebe 47,609
- Paige 24,717
- Penelope 13,109
- Pippa 6,346
- Polly 5,678
- Philippa 4,446
- Penny 4,394
- Paris 4,372
- Piper 3,961
- Pearl 3,516
- Paisley 3,419
FAQ
Palak: questions and answers
How popular is the name Palak in the UK right now?
In 2013, Palak was ranked #4050 for girls in England and Wales, with 5 births registered.
When was Palak most popular?
The peak year on record was 2005, with 6 babies registered as Palak in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Palak?
A feminine name of Indian origin meaning "spinach".
How many people are called Palak in the UK?
A total of 22 babies have been registered as Palak across the 5 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.