UK girl's name
Sannah
A sweet feminine name of Arabic origin meaning "glorious, brilliant.".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2013. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Sannah is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Sannah popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2013 in this profile. In that release it ranked #5742, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2000, with 31 births.
This profile covers 182 England and Wales registrations across 16 recorded years from 1996 to 2013. 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 10% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 181 living people in the UK are called Sannah. 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 2014 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Sannah ranked #5742 for girls in England and Wales in 2013, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2000, when 31 girls were registered as Sannah.
- • About 181 living people in the UK are estimated to have Sannah as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#5742
2013
Births in 2013
3
Latest year
Peak year
2000
31 births
Estimated living
181
2026
Meaning
What does Sannah mean?
The name Sannah has its origins in the Arabic language, tracing back to the early centuries of the Islamic era. It is derived from the Arabic word "sana," which means "radiance" or "brilliance." The name is believed to have emerged in regions where Arabic culture and language held sway, particularly in the Middle East and parts of North Africa.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Sannah can be found in ancient Arabic texts and historical records from the 7th and 8th centuries CE. These texts often mentioned individuals bearing this name, suggesting its prevalence during that time period. However, the exact origins and etymology of the name remain shrouded in some mystery, as records from those distant eras are fragmentary and incomplete.
Throughout history, the name Sannah has been carried by several notable figures, adding to its cultural significance. One such individual was Sannah bint Al-Husayn (680-715 CE), a revered Muslim scholar and hadith narrator from the early Islamic era. Her contribution to preserving and transmitting the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad made her a respected figure in Islamic scholarship.
Another prominent bearer of the name was Sannah Al-Bakri (1014-1094 CE), a renowned Arab geographer and traveler from Andalusia. Her detailed accounts of her travels across the Mediterranean region and parts of Africa provide invaluable insights into the geography and cultures of those times.
In the realm of literature, Sannah Al-Mawsiliyah (1188-1270 CE) was an influential Arab poet and writer from Mosul, Iraq. Her poetry, which often celebrated love and nature, earned her widespread acclaim and a place among the most celebrated poets of her era.
Moving forward in time, Sannah Al-Khudari (1856-1937 CE) was a prominent Egyptian educator and women's rights activist. She played a crucial role in establishing one of the first modern schools for girls in Egypt, paving the way for improved education and empowerment of women in the region.
More recently, Sannah Musa (1918-2005 CE) was a respected Nigerian judge and legal scholar. She made history as the first female judge to be appointed to the Supreme Court of Nigeria, breaking down barriers and inspiring generations of women in the legal profession.
While these are just a few examples, the name Sannah has been carried by countless individuals throughout history, each leaving their unique mark on their respective societies and cultures. Its enduring presence across various regions and time periods speaks to its timeless appeal and the rich tapestry of cultural influences that have shaped its journey.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Sannah over time
The chart below shows babies named Sannah registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1996 to 2013. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Sannah, the clearest high point is 2000. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2013, compared with 31 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Sannah by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Sannah 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 | #5405 | 10 | 3 |
| 2000s | #2822 | 105 | 9 |
| 1990s | #1171 | 67 | 4 |
Notable bearers
Famous people named Sannah
-
Sannah Zaman
sport cyclist
British cyclist
2003-
Related
Names similar to Sannah
- 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
Sannah: questions and answers
How popular is the name Sannah in the UK right now?
In 2013, Sannah was ranked #5742 for girls in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Sannah most popular?
The peak year on record was 2000, with 31 babies registered as Sannah in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Sannah?
A sweet feminine name of Arabic origin meaning "glorious, brilliant.".
How many people are called Sannah in the UK?
A total of 182 babies have been registered as Sannah across the 16 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.