UK girl's name
Sauda
A feminine Arabic name meaning "dark" or "black-complexioned".
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.
Sauda is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Sauda popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #5891, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2007, with 7 births.
This profile covers 21 England and Wales registrations across 5 recorded years from 2007 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 43% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 21 living people in the UK are called Sauda. 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
- • Sauda ranked #5891 for girls in England and Wales in 2024, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2007, when 7 girls were registered as Sauda.
- • About 21 living people in the UK are estimated to have Sauda as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#5891
2024
Births in 2024
3
Latest year
Peak year
2007
7 births
Estimated living
21
2026
Meaning
What does Sauda mean?
The name Sauda is believed to have its origins in the Arabic language, where it is derived from the Arabic word "sawda," which translates to "blackness" or "darkness." This name is thought to have emerged during the medieval period in the Middle East and North Africa, regions where Arabic culture and language have had a significant influence.
The name Sauda may have been initially associated with physical characteristics, particularly referring to individuals with darker skin tones or complexions. However, over time, the name evolved to carry broader symbolic meanings, representing concepts such as mystery, power, and depth.
One of the earliest recorded references to the name Sauda can be found in ancient Arabic literature and poetry, where it was often used as a poetic metaphor or descriptor. Some scholars suggest that the name may have been inspired by the dark, starry nights of the desert, evoking a sense of awe and wonder.
Throughout history, several notable figures have borne the name Sauda. One of the most prominent is Sauda bint Zam'a (born around 592 CE), who was one of the wives of the Prophet Muhammad and played a significant role in the early days of Islam. Another notable figure is Sauda al-Kubra (1165-1280 CE), a renowned Sufi mystic and poet from Baghdad, whose spiritual writings and teachings have had a lasting impact on Islamic mysticism.
In the 12th century, Sauda al-Andalusiyya (1139-1199 CE) was a celebrated Andalusian poet and scholar from Cordoba, known for her contributions to Arabic literature and her influential works on linguistics and grammar.
During the Mamluk period in Egypt, Sauda Inayat Khan (1358-1429 CE) was a respected military commander and strategist who played a crucial role in defending Cairo against invading forces.
In more recent times, Sauda Bint Al-Amir (1907-1989) was a prominent Saudi Arabian writer and activist who fought for women's rights and education in the Arabian Peninsula.
These are just a few examples of the historical figures who have carried the name Sauda, each leaving their mark in various fields, from religion and literature to military strategy and social activism.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Sauda over time
The chart below shows babies named Sauda registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2007 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 Sauda, the clearest high point is 2007. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2024, compared with 7 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Sauda by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Sauda 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 | #5891 | 3 | 1 |
| 2010s | #4712 | 8 | 2 |
| 2000s | #4226 | 10 | 2 |
Related
Names similar to Sauda
- 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
Sauda: questions and answers
How popular is the name Sauda in the UK right now?
In 2024, Sauda was ranked #5891 for girls in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Sauda most popular?
The peak year on record was 2007, with 7 babies registered as Sauda in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Sauda?
A feminine Arabic name meaning "dark" or "black-complexioned".
How many people are called Sauda in the UK?
A total of 21 babies have been registered as Sauda across the 5 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.