UK girl's name
Sawdah
A feminine Arabic name meaning "fortunate" or "prosperous".
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.
Sawdah is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Sawdah popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #2000, with 14 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2015, with 14 births.
This profile covers 142 England and Wales registrations across 20 recorded years from 1999 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 100% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 141 living people in the UK are called Sawdah. 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
- • Sawdah ranked #2000 for girls in England and Wales in 2024, with 14 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2015, when 14 girls were registered as Sawdah.
- • About 141 living people in the UK are estimated to have Sawdah as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#2000
2024
Births in 2024
14
Latest year
Peak year
2015
14 births
Estimated living
141
2026
Meaning
What does Sawdah mean?
The name Sawdah is of Arabic origin and can be traced back to the 7th century CE. It is derived from the Arabic word "sawda," which means "blackness" or "dark complexion." The name is closely associated with the Islamic faith and its history.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Sawdah is related to Sawdah bint Zam'ah, who was one of the wives of the Prophet Muhammad. She was among the first women to embrace Islam and is revered for her piety and devotion to the faith.
In the Quran, the holy book of Islam, there is a reference to Sawdah in the chapter titled "Al-Ahzab" (The Confederate Tribes). This chapter mentions her as one of the wives of the Prophet and highlights her patience and understanding during a trying time.
Throughout Islamic history, several notable women have borne the name Sawdah. One such figure is Sawdah bint Abi Lahab, who was a contemporary of the Prophet Muhammad and is mentioned in the Quran for her opposition to the Islamic faith.
Another prominent figure with the name Sawdah was Sawdah bint al-Husayn, who lived in the 8th century CE. She was a renowned scholar and poet, known for her contributions to Arabic literature.
In the 11th century, Sawdah bint al-Mu'taman, a princess from the Abbasid dynasty, was renowned for her patronage of the arts and her support for poets and scholars during her time.
The name Sawdah has also been used by other notable figures throughout history, such as Sawdah al-Nabulsi, a 17th-century Syrian scholar and poet, and Sawdah al-Baghdadi, an 18th-century Iraqi calligrapher and artist.
While the name Sawdah has its roots in the Arabic language and Islamic culture, it has been adopted by various communities worldwide, transcending cultural and linguistic boundaries. The name's association with historical figures and its rich cultural heritage continue to make it a significant and meaningful choice for many families.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Sawdah over time
The chart below shows babies named Sawdah registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1999 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 Sawdah, the clearest high point is 2015. The latest England and Wales figure is 14 births in 2024, compared with 14 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Sawdah by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Sawdah 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 | #2853 | 44 | 5 |
| 2010s | #3431 | 63 | 8 |
| 2000s | #3481 | 30 | 6 |
| 1990s | #2770 | 5 | 1 |
Related
Names similar to Sawdah
- 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
Sawdah: questions and answers
How popular is the name Sawdah in the UK right now?
In 2024, Sawdah was ranked #2000 for girls in England and Wales, with 14 births registered.
When was Sawdah most popular?
The peak year on record was 2015, with 14 babies registered as Sawdah in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Sawdah?
A feminine Arabic name meaning "fortunate" or "prosperous".
How many people are called Sawdah in the UK?
A total of 142 babies have been registered as Sawdah across the 20 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.