UK name, mostly girls
Sana
Of Arabic origin, meaning "lofty" or "brilliant".
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.
Sana is mostly registered for girls in the UK records. People looking for Sana popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #686, with 55 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2002, with 254 births.
This profile covers 3,765 England and Wales registrations across 29 recorded years from 1996 to 2024. The figures come from ONS England and Wales and NRS Scotland, 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 22% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 3,889 living people in the UK are called Sana. 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
- • Sana ranked #686 for girls in England and Wales in 2024, with 55 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2002, when 254 girls were registered as Sana.
- • Sana ranks best in Scotland in the latest published regional snapshot for that area, where it placed #638 in 2024.
- • About 3,889 living people in the UK are estimated to have Sana as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
- • Across the England and Wales records shown here, 99.8% of Sana registrations are for girls.
Latest rank (E&W)
#686
2024
Births in 2024
55
Latest year
Peak year
2002
254 births
Estimated living
3,889
2026
Gender
Boy and girl registrations for Sana
In England and Wales birth records, Sana has been registered for both boys and girls. Across the years shown here, 0.2% of registrations are for boys and 99.8% are for girls.
These figures use the sex categories in the published baby-name files. They are useful for spotting how the name is used at registration, but they are not a live measure of gender identity or everyone living with the name today.
Sana registered for boys
- Ranked #3,651 in 2004
- 3 boys registered in 2004
- Peak: 2000 (3 births)
Sana registered for girls
- Ranked #686 in 2024
- 55 girls registered in 2024
- Peak: 2002 (254 births)
Meaning
What does Sana mean?
The name Sana has its origins in several languages and cultures, with varying meanings and historical significance. It is believed to have derived from the Arabic word "sana," which means "radiance" or "brilliance." In Persian culture, the name Sana is associated with beauty and grace.
One of the earliest recorded uses of the name Sana can be traced back to the 7th century, when it was mentioned in Arabic poetry and literature. In the famous literary work "Mu'allaqat," composed by pre-Islamic Arab poets, the name Sana is referenced as a symbol of beauty and elegance.
Historically, the name Sana has been popular among Muslim communities, particularly in the Middle East and South Asia. It is often associated with Islamic teachings and virtues, as the word "sana" in Arabic also carries the meaning of "praise" or "glorification."
In ancient Indian texts, such as the Mahabharata and Puranas, the name Sana is mentioned in various contexts, often referring to celestial beings or deities. One notable figure bearing this name is Sana, the daughter of the sage Brighu, who is celebrated for her devotion and spiritual wisdom.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have carried the name Sana. One of the earliest recorded figures is Sana'a, a 7th-century Arab poet and warrior from the Banu Asad tribe, known for her valiant spirit and poetic talents.
Another prominent figure is Sana Fatima, a 17th-century Mughal princess and the daughter of Emperor Shah Jahan, known for her patronage of the arts and her charitable endeavors.
In more recent times, Sana Mir, born in 1986, is a renowned Pakistani cricketer who has represented her country in numerous international tournaments and is considered one of the finest bowlers in women's cricket.
Sana Krasikov, born in 1979, is an award-winning American writer and author of the acclaimed novel "One More Year," which explores themes of immigration, identity, and cultural assimilation.
Sana Saeed, born in 1989, is a Swedish singer and songwriter of Pakistani descent, known for her unique blend of pop and traditional Pakistani music, and her advocacy for cultural diversity.
These are just a few examples of notable individuals throughout history who have carried the name Sana, showcasing its enduring presence across various cultures and time periods.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Sana over time
The chart below compares boys and girls registered as Sana in England and Wales, 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 Sana, the clearest high point is 2002. The latest England and Wales figure is 55 births in 2024, compared with 254 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Sana by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Sana 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 | #569 | 355 | 5 |
| 2010s | #469 | 993 | 10 |
| 2000s | #247 | 1,858 | 10 |
| 1990s | #275 | 559 | 4 |
Geography
Where Sana is most common
The bars show the latest published local birth counts for Sana. They are useful for spotting where the name is showing up in real numbers, while the rank beside each bar shows how strongly it performs inside that region.
Sana ranks best in Scotland in the latest published regional snapshot for that area, where it placed #638 in 2024.
Across the UK
Sana in Scotland and Northern Ireland
Scotland (NRS)
#638 in 2024
29 years of NRS records, 147 total registered
Related
Names similar to Sana
- 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
Sana: questions and answers
How popular is the name Sana in the UK right now?
In 2024, Sana was ranked #686 for girls in England and Wales, with 55 births registered.
When was Sana most popular?
The peak year on record was 2002, with 254 babies registered as Sana in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Sana?
Of Arabic origin, meaning "lofty" or "brilliant".
How many people are called Sana in the UK?
A total of 3,765 babies have been registered as Sana across the 29 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here, plus 147 more in Scotland.
Where is Sana most common?
In the latest published local rankings, Sana ranks best in Scotland, where it placed #638 in 2024. The regional bars on this page use birth counts, so they also reflect the size of each region.
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.