UK girl's name
Sadhana
A feminine name of Sanskrit origin meaning "spiritual practice" or "effort toward an ideal".
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.
Sadhana is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Sadhana popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2018 in this profile. In that release it ranked #5666, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2008, with 5 births.
This profile covers 25 England and Wales registrations across 6 recorded years from 2003 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 60% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 25 living people in the UK are called Sadhana. 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
- • Sadhana ranked #5666 for girls in England and Wales in 2018, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2008, when 5 girls were registered as Sadhana.
- • About 25 living people in the UK are estimated to have Sadhana as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#5666
2018
Births in 2018
3
Latest year
Peak year
2008
5 births
Estimated living
25
2026
Meaning
What does Sadhana mean?
The name Sadhana is derived from the Sanskrit language, originating in ancient India. It is a feminine name that has its roots in the Sanskrit word "sadhana," which means "spiritual practice" or "means of accomplishing something." The name is deeply connected to the religious and philosophical traditions of Hinduism and Buddhism.
In the Hindu scriptures, particularly the Upanishads and the Bhagavad Gita, the concept of "sadhana" is extensively discussed as a path to self-realization and spiritual enlightenment. It refers to the disciplined and dedicated pursuit of spiritual goals through various practices such as meditation, yoga, and devotional worship.
The earliest recorded use of the name Sadhana can be traced back to ancient Sanskrit texts and historical records from the Indian subcontinent. One notable example is the famous Indian philosopher and spiritual teacher, Sadhana Devi, who lived in the 19th century and played a significant role in reviving the Indian spiritual tradition of Advaita Vedanta.
Throughout history, several influential figures have borne the name Sadhana. One of the most renowned is Sadhana Shivdasani, an Indian actress who graced the silver screen from the late 1950s to the 1990s. She was born in 1941 and is widely regarded as one of the most celebrated actresses of her time in Indian cinema.
Another notable figure is Sadhana Ravishankar, an Indian classical dancer and choreographer who was born in 1939. She is credited with popularizing and promoting the Bharatanatyam dance form globally and received numerous awards and honors for her contributions to the arts.
Sadhana Srivastava, born in 1941, is a prominent Indian author and scholar who has written extensively on topics related to Indian culture, philosophy, and spirituality. Her works have been translated into several languages and have garnered critical acclaim.
In the field of science, Sadhana Bose, born in 1948, is a distinguished Indian physicist known for her research in condensed matter theory and statistical physics. She has received numerous awards and honors, including the prestigious Padma Shri award from the Indian government.
Sadhana Nitro, born in 1963, is a renowned Indian mountaineer and environmentalist. She has successfully summited several challenging peaks, including Mount Everest, and has been actively involved in promoting environmental conservation efforts in the Himalayan region.
These are just a few examples of notable individuals who have carried the name Sadhana throughout history, each making significant contributions in their respective fields and embodying the spirit of dedication and spiritual pursuit associated with the name's meaning.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Sadhana over time
The chart below shows babies named Sadhana registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2003 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 Sadhana, the clearest high point is 2008. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2018, compared with 5 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Sadhana by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Sadhana 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 | #4588 | 13 | 3 |
| 2000s | #4266 | 12 | 3 |
Related
Names similar to Sadhana
- Sophie 103,803
- Sophia 46,936
- Scarlett 34,261
- Sienna 32,418
- Sofia 29,136
- Sarah 27,961
- Shannon 25,510
- Summer 24,167
- Sara 14,205
- Skye 13,654
- Samantha 12,697
- Stephanie 9,309
FAQ
Sadhana: questions and answers
How popular is the name Sadhana in the UK right now?
In 2018, Sadhana was ranked #5666 for girls in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Sadhana most popular?
The peak year on record was 2008, with 5 babies registered as Sadhana in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Sadhana?
A feminine name of Sanskrit origin meaning "spiritual practice" or "effort toward an ideal".
How many people are called Sadhana in the UK?
A total of 25 babies have been registered as Sadhana across the 6 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.