NameCensus.

UK girl's name

Preeti

A feminine name of Sanskrit origin meaning beloved, pretty, beautiful.

For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2018. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.

Preeti is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Preeti popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2018 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4684, with 4 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2007, with 12 births.

This profile covers 79 England and Wales registrations across 16 recorded years from 1996 to 2018. 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 33% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.

We estimate that about 79 living people in the UK are called Preeti. 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 2019 or 2026.

Key insights

  • Preeti ranked #4684 for girls in England and Wales in 2018, with 4 registrations.
  • The name peaked in 2007, when 12 girls were registered as Preeti.
  • About 79 living people in the UK are estimated to have Preeti as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.

Latest rank (E&W)

#4684

2018

Births in 2018

4

Latest year

Peak year

2007

12 births

Estimated living

79

2026

Meaning

What does Preeti mean?

The name Preeti has its origins in Sanskrit, one of the oldest languages of the Indian subcontinent. It is derived from the Sanskrit word "priti," which means love, affection, or delight. The name has been in use for centuries and is primarily associated with Hindu culture and tradition.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Preeti can be found in the ancient Hindu scriptures known as the Puranas. These religious texts, which date back to the 3rd or 4th century CE, mention a goddess named Preeti, who is often depicted as a companion to the goddess of wealth and prosperity, Lakshmi.

In the 12th century, the poet and philosopher Jayadeva wrote the famous Sanskrit poem "Gita Govinda," which contains references to a character named Preeti. This literary work is considered a masterpiece of devotional poetry and has had a significant influence on Indian art, music, and literature.

Throughout history, there have been several notable individuals who bore the name Preeti. One of the earliest recorded examples is Preeti Lata, a renowned Indian classical singer and Hindustani vocalist who lived in the 19th century (1818-1875). She was known for her exceptional talent and contribution to the preservation of classical Indian music.

Another prominent figure was Preeti Sagar (1914-1986), an Indian freedom fighter and social activist who played a crucial role in the Indian independence movement. She was actively involved in the Quit India Movement and was imprisoned several times for her participation in the struggle against British rule.

In the field of literature, Preeti Patel (1921-2002) was an acclaimed Gujarati writer and poet. She was a recipient of the prestigious Sahitya Akademi Award, India's highest literary honor, for her collection of poems titled "Kavita" in 1966.

Preeti Chandra (1934-2018) was a renowned Indian classical dancer and choreographer. She was a skilled exponent of Kathak, one of the major classical dance forms of India, and played a significant role in popularizing and promoting this art form both nationally and internationally.

In more recent times, Preeti Shenoy (born 1971) is a popular Indian author and artist who has written several best-selling novels, including "Life is What You Make It" and "Wake Up, Life is Calling." Her works often explore themes of self-discovery, relationships, and the complexities of modern life.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

Popularity

Preeti over time

The chart below shows babies named Preeti registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1996 to 2018. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.

For Preeti, the clearest high point is 2007. The latest England and Wales figure is 4 births in 2018, compared with 12 at the peak.

Babies born per year

Preeti
036912199620072018

Decades

Preeti by decade

Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Preeti 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 #4666 17 4
2000s #3613 50 10
1990s #2397 12 2

Related

Names similar to Preeti

FAQ

Preeti: questions and answers

How popular is the name Preeti in the UK right now?

In 2018, Preeti was ranked #4684 for girls in England and Wales, with 4 births registered.

When was Preeti most popular?

The peak year on record was 2007, with 12 babies registered as Preeti in England and Wales.

What is the meaning and origin of Preeti?

A feminine name of Sanskrit origin meaning beloved, pretty, beautiful.

How many people are called Preeti in the UK?

A total of 79 babies have been registered as Preeti across the 16 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.