UK girl's name
Payal
A feminine name of Sanskrit origin meaning anklets or ornaments worn around the ankles.
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.
Payal is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Payal popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2013 in this profile. In that release it ranked #5742, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 1996, with 11 births.
This profile covers 93 England and Wales registrations across 14 recorded years from 1996 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 27% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 92 living people in the UK are called Payal. 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
- • Payal ranked #5742 for girls in England and Wales in 2013, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 1996, when 11 girls were registered as Payal.
- • About 92 living people in the UK are estimated to have Payal as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#5742
2013
Births in 2013
3
Latest year
Peak year
1996
11 births
Estimated living
92
2026
Meaning
What does Payal mean?
The name Payal is of Sanskrit origin, deriving from the word 'payal' which means 'anklet' or 'bell around the ankle' in Hindi and several other Indian languages. The name finds its roots in ancient Indian culture, where anklets were a traditional ornament worn by women, often adorned with tiny bells that created a delightful tinkling sound with every step.
One of the earliest recorded mentions of the name Payal can be found in the ancient Hindu scripture, the Mahabharata, where it is described as a symbol of feminine grace and beauty. In the epic, the character Draupadi is praised for the melodious sound of her payals, which added to her charm and elegance.
Throughout Indian history, the name Payal has been associated with various notable figures. One such figure is Payal Ghosh, an Indian actress and model who was born in 1985. She has appeared in several Bollywood films and television shows, and is known for her roles in movies like 'Red Swastik' and 'Yours Truly'.
Another prominent bearer of the name is Payal Kadakia, an Indian-American entrepreneur and founder of the popular fitness platform ClassPass. Born in 1983, Kadakia's innovative approach to making fitness classes more accessible has earned her recognition as a trailblazer in the wellness industry.
In the literary world, Payal Dhar is a celebrated Indian author and poet, known for her works that explore themes of identity, feminism, and socio-political issues. Born in 1970, her poetry collections, such as 'Lullaby of the Reel' and 'Aapki Nazron Ne Samjha,' have garnered critical acclaim.
The name Payal has also been associated with notable figures in the field of classical Indian dance. Payal Mukherjee, born in 1966, is a renowned Kathak dancer and choreographer who has performed extensively both in India and abroad, showcasing the beauty and intricacies of this ancient dance form.
Another notable bearer of the name is Payal Rohatgi, an Indian actress and former model, born in 1984. She has appeared in various Bollywood films and television shows, and is known for her outspoken personality and activism on various social causes.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Payal over time
The chart below shows babies named Payal registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1996 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 Payal, the clearest high point is 1996. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2013, compared with 11 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Payal by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Payal 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 | #5742 | 3 | 1 |
| 2000s | #3170 | 55 | 9 |
| 1990s | #1873 | 35 | 4 |
Related
Names similar to Payal
- 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
Payal: questions and answers
How popular is the name Payal in the UK right now?
In 2013, Payal was ranked #5742 for girls in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Payal most popular?
The peak year on record was 1996, with 11 babies registered as Payal in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Payal?
A feminine name of Sanskrit origin meaning anklets or ornaments worn around the ankles.
How many people are called Payal in the UK?
A total of 93 babies have been registered as Payal across the 14 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.