NameCensus.

UK girl's name

Saida

A feminine name of Arabic origin meaning "happy" or "fortunate".

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.

Saida is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Saida popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4843, with 4 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2012, with 14 births.

This profile covers 187 England and Wales registrations across 28 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 29% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.

We estimate that about 186 living people in the UK are called Saida. 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

  • Saida ranked #4843 for girls in England and Wales in 2024, with 4 registrations.
  • The name peaked in 2012, when 14 girls were registered as Saida.
  • About 186 living people in the UK are estimated to have Saida as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.

Latest rank (E&W)

#4843

2024

Births in 2024

4

Latest year

Peak year

2012

14 births

Estimated living

186

2026

Meaning

What does Saida mean?

The name Saida has its origins in Arabic, derived from the word "sa'ida" which means "fortunate" or "happy." It is a feminine name that has been in use for centuries across various regions of the Middle East and North Africa.

In the early Islamic era, the name Saida gained popularity as it was associated with the concept of happiness and blessings. It was often given to newborn daughters as a symbol of joy and good fortune. The name can be found in historical records and literature from this period, reflecting its cultural significance.

One of the earliest recorded examples of the name Saida dates back to the 9th century, when a renowned Islamic scholar and poet, Saida bint al-Husayn al-Khuzai, lived in Basra, Iraq. She was known for her expertise in Arabic literature and her contributions to the field of poetry.

Throughout history, several notable women have borne the name Saida. In the 12th century, Saida al-Hurra was a prominent figure in the Almoravid dynasty, ruling over parts of modern-day Morocco and Spain. She was known for her leadership skills and military prowess.

Moving to the 19th century, Saida Lutfullah was an influential Egyptian writer and activist who advocated for women's rights and education. She played a significant role in the Egyptian feminist movement of the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

In the realm of arts and literature, Saida Gerritse was a Dutch painter and illustrator who lived from 1871 to 1949. She was renowned for her vibrant depictions of landscapes and still-life scenes, capturing the beauty of the natural world.

Another notable figure was Saida Menon, an Indian freedom fighter and social reformer who lived from 1912 to 1972. She actively participated in the Indian independence movement and worked tirelessly to uplift the status of women in society.

Throughout its history, the name Saida has been imbued with a sense of joy, fortune, and cultural significance, transcending borders and inspiring generations of women across various regions and backgrounds.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

Popularity

Saida over time

The chart below shows babies named Saida 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 Saida, the clearest high point is 2012. The latest England and Wales figure is 4 births in 2024, compared with 14 at the peak.

Babies born per year

Saida
0471114199620102024

Decades

Saida by decade

Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Saida 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 #4847 20 5
2010s #3595 65 9
2000s #2661 76 10
1990s #2336 26 4

Related

Names similar to Saida

FAQ

Saida: questions and answers

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

In 2024, Saida was ranked #4843 for girls in England and Wales, with 4 births registered.

When was Saida most popular?

The peak year on record was 2012, with 14 babies registered as Saida in England and Wales.

What is the meaning and origin of Saida?

A feminine name of Arabic origin meaning "happy" or "fortunate".

How many people are called Saida in the UK?

A total of 187 babies have been registered as Saida across the 28 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.