UK girl's name
Rekha
A feminine name of Hindi origin meaning "line" or "scratch".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2011. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Rekha is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Rekha popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2011 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4764, with 4 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 1996, with 5 births.
This profile covers 17 England and Wales registrations across 4 recorded years from 1996 to 2011. 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 80% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 17 living people in the UK are called Rekha. 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 2012 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Rekha ranked #4764 for girls in England and Wales in 2011, with 4 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 1996, when 5 girls were registered as Rekha.
- • About 17 living people in the UK are estimated to have Rekha as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#4764
2011
Births in 2011
4
Latest year
Peak year
1996
5 births
Estimated living
17
2026
Meaning
What does Rekha mean?
The name Rekha has its origins in Sanskrit, an ancient Indo-Aryan language that has been a prominent cultural force in the Indian subcontinent for thousands of years. The name can be traced back to the Sanskrit word "rekhā," which translates to "line" or "streak." It is believed to have been used as a descriptive name, perhaps referring to a physical characteristic or a symbolic representation of one's path in life.
In Hindu mythology, Rekha is mentioned as the name of a celestial nymph or apsara, who was known for her beauty and grace. This association with divine beings lends a certain reverence and mystique to the name. Additionally, the concept of "rekhā" is deeply ingrained in Indian astrology, where it refers to the lines and patterns on a person's palm, which are believed to reveal their destiny.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Rekha can be found in the ancient Indian epic, the Mahabharata, which dates back to around the 8th century BCE. In this epic, Rekha is mentioned as the wife of King Dushyanta and the mother of the legendary hero, Bharata, after whom the epic is named.
Throughout history, several notable figures have borne the name Rekha. One of the most famous is Rekha Ganesan, an acclaimed Indian actress born in 1954, who has been honored with numerous awards, including the Padma Shri, one of India's highest civilian honors. Her illustrious career has spanned over five decades, and she is widely regarded as one of the most influential and talented actresses in Indian cinema.
Another prominent figure with the name Rekha is Rekha Bharadwaj, an Indian playback singer born in 1965, who has lent her voice to numerous Bollywood films and has won several prestigious awards, including the National Film Award and the Filmfare Award.
In the realm of literature, Rekha Kalindi is a renowned Indian poet and writer born in 1948, whose works have explored themes of love, feminism, and social issues. Her poetry collections, such as "Satrangi" and "Naari," have received critical acclaim and have contributed to the literary landscape of India.
Rekha Rana, born in 1969, is a celebrated Indian classical dancer and choreographer, known for her expertise in Kathak, one of the eight major classical dance forms of India. She has performed on numerous prestigious stages around the world and has been recognized with several awards for her contributions to the art form.
Rekha Rodwittiya, born in 1958, is an influential Indian artist and feminist, whose paintings and installations have explored themes of gender, identity, and societal norms. Her works have been exhibited globally and have garnered international recognition, including the prestigious Prince Claus Award in 2012.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Rekha over time
The chart below shows babies named Rekha registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1996 to 2011. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Rekha, the clearest high point is 1996. The latest England and Wales figure is 4 births in 2011, compared with 5 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Rekha by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Rekha 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 | #4764 | 4 | 1 |
| 1990s | #3000 | 13 | 3 |
Related
Names similar to Rekha
- Ruby 60,551
- Rebecca 45,764
- Rosie 35,558
- Rachel 19,034
- Rose 18,043
- Robyn 14,556
- Rosa 6,236
- Rhiannon 6,180
- Rachael 4,702
- Rebekah 4,395
- Rhianna 4,177
- Ruth 4,118
FAQ
Rekha: questions and answers
How popular is the name Rekha in the UK right now?
In 2011, Rekha was ranked #4764 for girls in England and Wales, with 4 births registered.
When was Rekha most popular?
The peak year on record was 1996, with 5 babies registered as Rekha in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Rekha?
A feminine name of Hindi origin meaning "line" or "scratch".
How many people are called Rekha in the UK?
A total of 17 babies have been registered as Rekha across the 4 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.