UK girl's name
Risa
A feminine Japanese name meaning "lovely" or "respected.".
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.
Risa is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Risa 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 1996, with 4 births.
This profile covers 24 England and Wales registrations across 7 recorded years from 1996 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 75% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 24 living people in the UK are called Risa. 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
- • Risa ranked #5591 for girls in England and Wales in 2019, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 1996, when 4 girls were registered as Risa.
- • About 24 living people in the UK are estimated to have Risa 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
1996
4 births
Estimated living
24
2026
Meaning
What does Risa mean?
The given name Risa is believed to have originated from the Japanese language. It is a feminine name that can be traced back to the late 19th century in Japan. The name Risa is thought to be derived from the Japanese word "risō," which means "ideal" or "ideal beauty."
In its earliest known usage, the name Risa was sometimes written using different kanji characters, such as those meaning "jasmine" or "village." However, the most common spelling and meaning associated with the name is the one linked to the concept of ideal beauty.
The name Risa does not appear to have any significant historical references in ancient texts or religious scriptures. However, it has been used as a given name for women in Japan for over a century.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Risa is Risa Hirako, a Japanese novelist and poet who lived from 1905 to 1980. She was known for her works that explored themes of love, loss, and the human condition.
Another notable figure with the name Risa is Risa Niigaki, a Japanese singer and actress born in 1988. She rose to prominence as a member of the popular Japanese idol group Morning Musume and later pursued a solo career in music and acting.
In the world of sports, Risa Shinnabe is a Japanese professional golfer born in 1989. She has won multiple tournaments on the Japan LPGA Tour and has represented Japan in international competitions.
Risa Ozaki, born in 1986, is a Japanese voice actress known for her work in various anime series, including "The Seven Deadly Sins" and "Boku no Hero Academia."
Lastly, Risa Naka is a Japanese actress and model born in 1987. She has appeared in several television dramas and films, showcasing her versatility as an actress.
These are just a few examples of notable individuals who have carried the name Risa throughout history, highlighting its Japanese origin and the diverse fields in which it has been represented.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Risa over time
The chart below shows babies named Risa registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1996 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 Risa, the clearest high point is 1996. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2019, compared with 4 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Risa by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Risa 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 | #5323 | 10 | 3 |
| 2000s | #4440 | 10 | 3 |
| 1990s | #3126 | 4 | 1 |
Related
Names similar to Risa
- 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
Risa: questions and answers
How popular is the name Risa in the UK right now?
In 2019, Risa was ranked #5591 for girls in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Risa most popular?
The peak year on record was 1996, with 4 babies registered as Risa in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Risa?
A feminine Japanese name meaning "lovely" or "respected.".
How many people are called Risa in the UK?
A total of 24 babies have been registered as Risa across the 7 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.