UK girl's name
Petal
A feminine word representing a segment of a flower's corolla.
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.
Petal is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Petal popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #5891, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2012, with 12 births.
This profile covers 108 England and Wales registrations across 18 recorded years from 2006 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 25% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 108 living people in the UK are called Petal. 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
- • Petal ranked #5891 for girls in England and Wales in 2024, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2012, when 12 girls were registered as Petal.
- • About 108 living people in the UK are estimated to have Petal as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#5891
2024
Births in 2024
3
Latest year
Peak year
2012
12 births
Estimated living
108
2026
Meaning
What does Petal mean?
The given name Petal has its origins in the English language, derived from the botanical term referring to the individual segments that make up the flower's bloom. This name emerged in the late 19th century, reflecting the Victorian era's fascination with nature and floral motifs.
In its earliest recorded usage, Petal served as a symbolic name bestowed upon children, representing the delicate beauty and fleeting nature of life's blossoms. It was particularly popular among families with a love for gardening or a deep appreciation for the natural world.
Historically, there are few notable figures who bore the name Petal, as it was primarily embraced as a unique and whimsical choice rather than a traditional name passed down through generations. However, some notable individuals with this moniker include:
1. Petal Hicks (1905-1987), an English botanist and author renowned for her extensive work on wildflowers and her contributions to the preservation of natural habitats.
2. Petal Mendoza (1920-1998), a Mexican painter and sculptor whose vibrant artworks often featured floral motifs and celebrated the beauty of nature.
3. Petal Everett (1932-2011), an American social worker and activist who dedicated her life to advocating for children's rights and improving access to education in underprivileged communities.
4. Petal Gilmore (1948-present), a New Zealand poet and playwright whose works frequently explore themes of nature, femininity, and the human experience.
5. Petal Harris (1962-present), an Australian environmental lawyer and advocate known for her legal efforts in protecting endangered species and promoting sustainable practices.
While the name Petal may not have a long and storied history, its connection to the natural world and its symbolic representation of beauty and fragility have endured, making it a unique and meaningful choice for parents seeking a name that celebrates the wonders of nature.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Petal over time
The chart below shows babies named Petal registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2006 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 Petal, the clearest high point is 2012. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2024, compared with 12 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Petal by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Petal 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 | #4174 | 29 | 5 |
| 2010s | #3763 | 64 | 10 |
| 2000s | #3749 | 15 | 3 |
Related
Names similar to Petal
- 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
Petal: questions and answers
How popular is the name Petal in the UK right now?
In 2024, Petal was ranked #5891 for girls in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Petal most popular?
The peak year on record was 2012, with 12 babies registered as Petal in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Petal?
A feminine word representing a segment of a flower's corolla.
How many people are called Petal in the UK?
A total of 108 babies have been registered as Petal across the 18 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.