NameCensus.

UK girl's name

Pui

A flower name of Hawaiian origin referring to the Puarangi plant.

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.

Pui is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Pui 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 1998, with 6 births.

This profile covers 34 England and Wales registrations across 8 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 50% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.

We estimate that about 46 living people in the UK are called Pui. 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

  • Pui ranked #5691 for girls in England and Wales in 2014, with 3 registrations.
  • The name peaked in 1998, when 6 girls were registered as Pui.
  • Pui ranks best in Scotland in the latest published regional snapshot for that area, where it placed #512 in 1983.
  • About 46 living people in the UK are estimated to have Pui 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

1998

6 births

Estimated living

46

2026

Meaning

What does Pui mean?

The given name Pui has its origins rooted in Chinese culture, specifically from the Cantonese dialect of the Yue Chinese language. The name can be traced back to the late 19th century and early 20th century during the Qing Dynasty era in China.

Pui is derived from the Cantonese word "pui4," which translates to "gemstone" or "precious stone." This name was often given to children, particularly daughters, as a symbol of their preciousness and value to the family. The name carried connotations of beauty, rarity, and cherished status.

One of the earliest known references to the name Pui can be found in the historical records of the Guangdong province in southern China, where it was a popular name among families in the region. Although not explicitly mentioned in ancient texts or religious scriptures, the name's connection to gemstones aligns with the cultural significance of jade and other precious stones in Chinese culture.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Pui. One such person was Pui Man Lok (1879-1967), a prominent Cantonese opera actress and singer who performed in Hong Kong during the early 20th century. Her contributions to the art form earned her recognition and acclaim in the local community.

Another notable figure was Pui O-lun (1904-1995), a Chinese novelist and playwright who wrote works that explored themes of social injustice and human struggle. Her literary works, including the novel "The Bitter Cup," were widely read and influential during her time.

In the field of sports, Pui Ching (born 1953) was a Hong Kong badminton player who represented her country in international competitions, including the Olympics and Asian Games. Her achievements brought pride and recognition to Hong Kong's badminton community.

The name Pui also found its way into the realm of politics with Pui Kwan-kay (1934-2014), a Hong Kong politician and member of the Legislative Council. He played a significant role in shaping policies and advocating for the interests of the people during his tenure.

Lastly, Pui Sai Wo (1954-2019) was a renowned Hong Kong movie producer and screenwriter, known for his contributions to the local film industry. His works often explored themes of social commentary and human experience, earning him critical acclaim and a dedicated following.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

Popularity

Pui over time

The chart below shows babies named Pui 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 Pui, the clearest high point is 1998. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2014, compared with 6 at the peak.

Babies born per year

Pui
02356199620052014

Decades

Pui by decade

Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Pui 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 #3682 20 5
1990s #2545 11 2

Geography

Where Pui is most common

The bars show the latest published local birth counts for Pui. 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.

Pui ranks best in Scotland in the latest published regional snapshot for that area, where it placed #512 in 1983.

Scotland
3

Across the UK

Pui in Scotland and Northern Ireland

Scotland (NRS)

#512 in 1983

4 years of NRS records, 13 total registered

Related

Names similar to Pui

FAQ

Pui: questions and answers

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

In 2014, Pui was ranked #5691 for girls in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.

When was Pui most popular?

The peak year on record was 1998, with 6 babies registered as Pui in England and Wales.

What is the meaning and origin of Pui?

A flower name of Hawaiian origin referring to the Puarangi plant.

How many people are called Pui in the UK?

A total of 34 babies have been registered as Pui across the 8 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here, plus 13 more in Scotland.

Where is Pui most common?

In the latest published local rankings, Pui ranks best in Scotland, where it placed #512 in 1983. 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.