UK girl's name
Sanaa
An Arabic feminine given name meaning "exalted" or "brilliant worker".
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.
Sanaa is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Sanaa popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #1894, with 15 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2001, with 59 births.
This profile covers 851 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 25% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 856 living people in the UK are called Sanaa. 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
- • Sanaa ranked #1894 for girls in England and Wales in 2024, with 15 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2001, when 59 girls were registered as Sanaa.
- • Sanaa ranks best in Scotland in the latest published regional snapshot for that area, where it placed #667 in 2003.
- • About 856 living people in the UK are estimated to have Sanaa as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#1894
2024
Births in 2024
15
Latest year
Peak year
2001
59 births
Estimated living
856
2026
Meaning
What does Sanaa mean?
The name Sanaa has its origins in the Arabic language and culture. It is derived from the Arabic word "sana'a," which means "art" or "craft." The name is believed to have originated in the Middle East, particularly in the Arabian Peninsula, where Arabic is the dominant language.
Sanaa has been a popular name in Arabic-speaking countries for centuries. In Islamic tradition, it is considered a virtuous name that reflects creativity and skill. The name has been mentioned in various Arabic literary works, including poetry and prose, throughout the ages.
One of the earliest recorded examples of the name Sanaa can be found in the works of the renowned Arab poet and philosopher, Al-Mutanabbi (915-965 AD). He used the name Sanaa as a metaphor for the beauty and elegance of poetry and the arts.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Sanaa. One of the most famous was Sanaa Al-Mulk (1145-1211), a powerful and influential woman who served as the vizier (prime minister) of the Seljuk Empire in Persia (modern-day Iran). She was known for her diplomatic skills and played a crucial role in the political affairs of the region.
Another notable figure with the name Sanaa was Sanaa Lathan (born 1971), an American actress known for her roles in films such as "Love & Basketball" and "The Best Man" franchise. She has received critical acclaim for her performances and is considered one of the most talented actresses of her generation.
In the realm of music, Sanaa Naufal (born 1981) is a Lebanese singer and songwriter who has gained popularity in the Middle East for her soulful vocals and poetic lyrics. Her music often explores themes of love, identity, and personal growth.
Sanaa Hamri (born 1976) is a Moroccan-American film director and music video director. She has directed music videos for numerous renowned artists, including Prince, Mariah Carey, and Lenny Kravitz. Her work has been widely recognized for its artistic vision and storytelling.
Sanaa Lakhani (born 1990) is a Pakistani-Canadian entrepreneur and co-founder of "The Future Project," a non-profit organization that aims to provide educational opportunities and support for underprivileged youth. She has been recognized for her philanthropic efforts and commitment to social change.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Sanaa over time
The chart below shows babies named Sanaa 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 Sanaa, the clearest high point is 2001. The latest England and Wales figure is 15 births in 2024, compared with 59 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Sanaa by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Sanaa 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 | #2554 | 54 | 5 |
| 2010s | #1545 | 224 | 10 |
| 2000s | #680 | 461 | 10 |
| 1990s | #813 | 112 | 4 |
Geography
Where Sanaa is most common
The bars show the latest published local birth counts for Sanaa. 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.
Sanaa ranks best in Scotland in the latest published regional snapshot for that area, where it placed #667 in 2003.
Across the UK
Sanaa in Scotland and Northern Ireland
Scotland (NRS)
#667 in 2003
3 years of NRS records, 10 total registered
Notable bearers
Famous people named Sanaa
-
Sanaa Seif
filmmaker; human rights defender
Egyptian political activist
1993-
Related
Names similar to Sanaa
- 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
Sanaa: questions and answers
How popular is the name Sanaa in the UK right now?
In 2024, Sanaa was ranked #1894 for girls in England and Wales, with 15 births registered.
When was Sanaa most popular?
The peak year on record was 2001, with 59 babies registered as Sanaa in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Sanaa?
An Arabic feminine given name meaning "exalted" or "brilliant worker".
How many people are called Sanaa in the UK?
A total of 851 babies have been registered as Sanaa across the 29 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here, plus 10 more in Scotland.
Where is Sanaa most common?
In the latest published local rankings, Sanaa ranks best in Scotland, where it placed #667 in 2003. 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.