UK girl's name
Preeya
A feminine name of Sanskrit origin meaning "beloved" or "dear one".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2019. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Preeya is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Preeya popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2019 in this profile. In that release it ranked #5591, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2010, with 18 births.
This profile covers 97 England and Wales registrations across 15 recorded years from 1997 to 2019. 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 17% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 96 living people in the UK are called Preeya. 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 2020 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Preeya ranked #5591 for girls in England and Wales in 2019, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2010, when 18 girls were registered as Preeya.
- • About 96 living people in the UK are estimated to have Preeya as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#5591
2019
Births in 2019
3
Latest year
Peak year
2010
18 births
Estimated living
96
2026
Meaning
What does Preeya mean?
The name Preeya is of Indian origin, derived from the Sanskrit word "priya," which means "beloved" or "dear." It is a popular name in the Indian subcontinent, particularly in the regions where Hindi and other Indic languages are spoken.
The earliest recorded use of the name Preeya can be traced back to ancient Sanskrit texts and Hindu scriptures, where it was often used to refer to beloved figures or deities. One of the most famous examples is the character of Preeya, who appears in the epic poem "Ramayana" as a companion of the goddess Sita.
In Hindu mythology, the name Preeya is associated with love, affection, and devotion. It is believed that those who bear this name are blessed with a loving and compassionate nature, and are often drawn to artistic and creative pursuits.
Throughout history, there have been several notable individuals who have borne the name Preeya. One of the earliest recorded examples is Preeya Devi (1267-1320), a renowned Indian poet and mystic who was known for her devotional compositions and her deep spiritual insights.
Another famous Preeya was Preeya Dutt (1825-1857), an Indian revolutionary who played a significant role in the Indian Rebellion of 1857 against British rule. She was a fearless leader and a symbol of resistance against colonial oppression.
In more recent times, Preeya Kalidas (1958-), an Indian-American author and journalist, has gained prominence for her work in promoting cross-cultural understanding and highlighting the experiences of South Asian immigrants in the United States.
Preeya Rana (1987-), an Indian actress and model, has also made a name for herself in the entertainment industry, appearing in several popular Bollywood films and television shows.
Finally, Preeya Reddy (1992-), an Indian environmental activist and social entrepreneur, has gained recognition for her efforts in promoting sustainable living and empowering marginalized communities through her innovative initiatives.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Preeya over time
The chart below shows babies named Preeya registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1997 to 2019. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Preeya, the clearest high point is 2010. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2019, compared with 18 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Preeya by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Preeya 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 | #3507 | 65 | 8 |
| 2000s | #3511 | 24 | 5 |
| 1990s | #3158 | 8 | 2 |
Related
Names similar to Preeya
- 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
Preeya: questions and answers
How popular is the name Preeya in the UK right now?
In 2019, Preeya was ranked #5591 for girls in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Preeya most popular?
The peak year on record was 2010, with 18 babies registered as Preeya in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Preeya?
A feminine name of Sanskrit origin meaning "beloved" or "dear one".
How many people are called Preeya in the UK?
A total of 97 babies have been registered as Preeya across the 15 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.