UK girl's name
Sahra
An Arabic name meaning "woman from the desert" or "woman of the desert".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2024. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Sahra is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Sahra popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #3015, with 8 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2006, with 27 births.
This profile covers 434 England and Wales registrations across 29 recorded years from 1996 to 2024. 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 30% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 432 living people in the UK are called Sahra. 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 2025 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Sahra ranked #3015 for girls in England and Wales in 2024, with 8 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2006, when 27 girls were registered as Sahra.
- • About 432 living people in the UK are estimated to have Sahra as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#3015
2024
Births in 2024
8
Latest year
Peak year
2006
27 births
Estimated living
432
2026
Meaning
What does Sahra mean?
The name Sahra has its origins in the Arabic language, where it is derived from the word "sahra" meaning "desert" or "wilderness." This name has been in use for centuries across the Middle East and North Africa, regions known for their vast and arid deserts.
In ancient times, the name Sahra was often associated with nomadic tribes and Bedouin communities who inhabited the deserts of the Arabian Peninsula and surrounding areas. It was a name that evoked a sense of resilience, adaptability, and connection to the harsh yet beautiful desert landscapes.
One of the earliest recorded references to the name Sahra can be found in the Quran, the sacred text of Islam. In Surah Al-Ahqaf (The Windy Tracts), verse 21 mentions the word "sahra" in the context of a desert or wilderness area.
Throughout history, several notable figures have borne the name Sahra. One of the most famous was Sahra al-Khawatir (born around 1120 AD), a renowned Arab poetess from Andalusia, who was celebrated for her eloquent and emotive verses.
Another notable Sahra was Sahra bint Yahya al-Sulamiyyah (born around 1130 AD), a revered Muslim scholar and hadith narrator from Mosul, Iraq. Her extensive knowledge and contributions to Islamic jurisprudence earned her widespread respect and admiration.
In the 19th century, Sahra al-Hawari (1835-1901) was a prominent Egyptian feminist and activist who fought for women's rights and education. Her efforts paved the way for future generations of women in Egypt and the Arab world.
Moving forward in time, Sahra Wagenknecht (born 1969) is a German politician and author who has served as a member of the Bundestag and co-chair of the Left Party. She is known for her outspoken views on economic and social issues.
More recently, Sahra Halaimovic (born 1983) is a Bosnian-American actress and model who has appeared in various television shows and films, including her role as Marisol Calero in the popular series "How to Get Away with Murder."
These are just a few examples of individuals throughout history who have carried the name Sahra, each leaving their mark in their respective fields and contributing to the rich tapestry of cultural and intellectual heritage associated with this name.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Sahra over time
The chart below shows babies named Sahra registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1996 to 2024. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Sahra, the clearest high point is 2006. The latest England and Wales figure is 8 births in 2024, compared with 27 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Sahra by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Sahra 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020s | #3068 | 40 | 5 |
| 2010s | #2477 | 115 | 10 |
| 2000s | #1098 | 227 | 10 |
| 1990s | #1463 | 52 | 4 |
Related
Names similar to Sahra
- 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
Sahra: questions and answers
How popular is the name Sahra in the UK right now?
In 2024, Sahra was ranked #3015 for girls in England and Wales, with 8 births registered.
When was Sahra most popular?
The peak year on record was 2006, with 27 babies registered as Sahra in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Sahra?
An Arabic name meaning "woman from the desert" or "woman of the desert".
How many people are called Sahra in the UK?
A total of 434 babies have been registered as Sahra across the 29 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.