UK girl's name
Pavani
A feminine name of Sanskrit origin meaning "purifying" or "sanctifying".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2016. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Pavani is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Pavani popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2016 in this profile. In that release it ranked #5785, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2012, with 3 births.
This profile covers 6 England and Wales registrations across 2 recorded years from 2012 to 2016. 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 6 living people in the UK are called Pavani. 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 2017 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Pavani ranked #5785 for girls in England and Wales in 2016, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2012, when 3 girls were registered as Pavani.
- • About 6 living people in the UK are estimated to have Pavani as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#5785
2016
Births in 2016
3
Latest year
Peak year
2012
3 births
Estimated living
6
2026
Meaning
What does Pavani mean?
Pavani is a feminine given name of Sanskrit origin, derived from the word "pavana," which means "wind" or "air." The name has roots in Hindu mythology and is associated with spiritual and natural elements.
In Hindu tradition, Pavana is one of the names used for Vayu, the god of wind and the cosmic life force. The name Pavani is often given to daughters as a symbol of purity, grace, and the gentle yet powerful forces of nature.
The earliest recorded use of the name Pavani can be traced back to ancient Hindu scriptures and texts, such as the Vedas and Puranas, where it is mentioned as a name for celestial beings and goddesses associated with the wind.
Throughout history, the name Pavani has been borne by several notable individuals, including:
1. Pavani Devi (born in the 16th century), a renowned Indian classical dancer and courtier in the court of the Mughal Emperor Akbar. 2. Pavani Reddy (1922-2001), an Indian freedom fighter and social activist who played a significant role in the Indian independence movement. 3. Pavani Parameswara Rao (1933-2013), an Indian classical musician and exponent of the Kuchipudi dance form. 4. Pavani Karunasena (born in 1949), a Sri Lankan actress and television presenter who has appeared in numerous films and TV shows. 5. Pavani Ganguly (born in 1974), an Indian classical dancer and choreographer, known for her contributions to the Odissi dance form.
The name Pavani carries a rich cultural heritage and is deeply rooted in the spiritual and artistic traditions of the Indian subcontinent. It evokes images of grace, purity, and the profound reverence for the natural world that is central to many Eastern philosophies and belief systems.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Pavani over time
The chart below shows babies named Pavani registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2012 to 2016. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Pavani, the clearest high point is 2012. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2016, compared with 3 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Pavani by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Pavani 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 | #5831 | 6 | 2 |
Related
Names similar to Pavani
- 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
Pavani: questions and answers
How popular is the name Pavani in the UK right now?
In 2016, Pavani was ranked #5785 for girls in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Pavani most popular?
The peak year on record was 2012, with 3 babies registered as Pavani in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Pavani?
A feminine name of Sanskrit origin meaning "purifying" or "sanctifying".
How many people are called Pavani in the UK?
A total of 6 babies have been registered as Pavani across the 2 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.