UK girl's name
Poonam
A feminine name of Sanskrit origin meaning "moon" or "flower".
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.
Poonam is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Poonam 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 1996, with 10 births.
This profile covers 35 England and Wales registrations across 7 recorded years from 1996 to 2014. The figures come from ONS England and Wales and NRS Scotland, 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 30% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 38 living people in the UK are called Poonam. 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
- • Poonam ranked #5691 for girls in England and Wales in 2014, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 1996, when 10 girls were registered as Poonam.
- • Poonam ranks best in Scotland in the latest published regional snapshot for that area, where it placed #565 in 1986.
- • About 38 living people in the UK are estimated to have Poonam 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
1996
10 births
Estimated living
38
2026
Meaning
What does Poonam mean?
The name Poonam is of Sanskrit origin, rooted in the ancient Hindu culture of the Indian subcontinent. Its origins can be traced back to the Sanskrit word "purnima," which means "full moon." The name carries connotations of beauty, grace, and radiance, symbolizing the luminescence of a full moon.
In Hindu mythology and ancient texts, the full moon holds significant spiritual and cultural significance. It is celebrated as a time of renewal, purification, and divine blessings. The name Poonam is often associated with these auspicious qualities, making it a popular choice among Hindu families.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Poonam can be found in the ancient Sanskrit epic, the Mahabharata. In this epic, Poonam is mentioned as the name of a celestial nymph or apsara, renowned for her ethereal beauty and divine grace.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Poonam. One of the most famous is Poonam Dhillon (born 1962), an Indian actress and former model who gained prominence in Bollywood cinema during the 1980s and 1990s. She is celebrated for her roles in films such as "Noorie," "Sohni Mahiwal," and "Karma."
Another notable figure is Poonam Bajaj (born 1965), an Indian entrepreneur and business leader. She co-founded the HCL Technologies company and served as its CEO from 1994 to 2008, leading the company to significant growth and success.
In the field of sports, Poonam Rani (born 1990) is a renowned Indian field hockey player who has represented India at multiple Olympic Games and has won numerous accolades, including the Arjuna Award in 2018.
Poonam Pandey (born 1991) is an Indian model, actress, and controversial figure known for her bold and provocative persona. She gained widespread attention for her daring stunts and social media presence.
Poonam Khetrapal Singh (born 1953) is an Indian diplomat and the current Regional Director for South-East Asia at the World Health Organization (WHO). She has played a crucial role in addressing public health challenges in the region.
The name Poonam continues to be a popular choice among Hindu families, particularly in India and the Indian diaspora around the world. Its rich cultural heritage, symbolic meaning, and association with beauty and divinity have contributed to its enduring popularity.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Poonam over time
The chart below shows babies named Poonam registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1996 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 Poonam, the clearest high point is 1996. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2014, compared with 10 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Poonam by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Poonam 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 | #3671 | 12 | 3 |
| 1990s | #2409 | 20 | 3 |
Geography
Where Poonam is most common
The bars show the latest published local birth counts for Poonam. They are useful for spotting where the name is showing up in real numbers, while the rank beside each bar shows how strongly it performs inside that region.
Poonam ranks best in Scotland in the latest published regional snapshot for that area, where it placed #565 in 1986.
Across the UK
Poonam in Scotland and Northern Ireland
Scotland (NRS)
#565 in 1986
1 years of NRS records, 3 total registered
Notable bearers
Famous people named Poonam
-
Poonam Gupta
businessperson
scottish-Indian entrepreneur and philanthropist
1976-
Related
Names similar to Poonam
- 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
Poonam: questions and answers
How popular is the name Poonam in the UK right now?
In 2014, Poonam was ranked #5691 for girls in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Poonam most popular?
The peak year on record was 1996, with 10 babies registered as Poonam in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Poonam?
A feminine name of Sanskrit origin meaning "moon" or "flower".
How many people are called Poonam in the UK?
A total of 35 babies have been registered as Poonam across the 7 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here, plus 3 more in Scotland.
Where is Poonam most common?
In the latest published local rankings, Poonam ranks best in Scotland, where it placed #565 in 1986. The regional bars on this page use birth counts, so they also reflect the size of each region.
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.