UK girl's name
Sayla
A feminine Arabic name meaning "asked for", "desired" or "prayed for".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2021. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Sayla is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Sayla popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2021 in this profile. In that release it ranked #5581, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2014, with 3 births.
This profile covers 6 England and Wales registrations across 2 recorded years from 2014 to 2021. 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 6 living people in the UK are called Sayla. 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 2022 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Sayla ranked #5581 for girls in England and Wales in 2021, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2014, when 3 girls were registered as Sayla.
- • About 6 living people in the UK are estimated to have Sayla as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#5581
2021
Births in 2021
3
Latest year
Peak year
2014
3 births
Estimated living
6
2026
Meaning
What does Sayla mean?
The name Sayla is believed to have originated from the Sanskrit language of ancient India. The earliest recorded use of the name can be traced back to the 5th century BCE, where it was mentioned in the Hindu sacred text, the Upanishads.
Sayla is derived from the Sanskrit word "sāla," which means "tree" or "shelter." It is thought that the name was initially given to children as a symbol of strength, stability, and protection, much like a sturdy tree providing shade and shelter.
In ancient Indian literature, Sayla was the name of a celebrated warrior and philosopher who lived during the Maurya Empire (322-185 BCE). He was known for his expertise in the art of warfare and his profound wisdom, which he imparted to his disciples.
During the Gupta Empire (320-550 CE), a famous poet and scholar named Sayla Kalidasa authored several influential works, including the epic poem "Raghuvamsa" and the play "Abhijnanashakuntalam." His literary contributions have been widely studied and revered in India for centuries.
In the 12th century, Sayla Mani was a prominent Buddhist monk who played a crucial role in spreading the teachings of Buddhism throughout Southeast Asia. He is particularly revered in Thailand, where he helped establish several monasteries and temples.
Another notable figure bearing the name Sayla was Sayla Devi, a 16th-century Hindu queen who ruled over the kingdom of Mithila (present-day Bihar, India) with wisdom and benevolence. She is remembered for her patronage of the arts and her efforts to promote education and social reforms.
In more recent times, Sayla Benmayor (1923-2010) was a renowned Spanish artist and sculptor, known for her innovative use of materials and her thought-provoking installations that explored themes of identity, memory, and the human condition.
While the name Sayla may not be as common in modern times, its rich historical roots and symbolic meaning continue to make it a unique and intriguing choice for parents seeking a name with cultural significance and a connection to ancient traditions.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Sayla over time
The chart below shows babies named Sayla registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2014 to 2021. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Sayla, the clearest high point is 2014. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2021, compared with 3 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Sayla by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Sayla 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 | #5581 | 3 | 1 |
| 2010s | #5691 | 3 | 1 |
Related
Names similar to Sayla
- 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
Sayla: questions and answers
How popular is the name Sayla in the UK right now?
In 2021, Sayla was ranked #5581 for girls in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Sayla most popular?
The peak year on record was 2014, with 3 babies registered as Sayla in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Sayla?
A feminine Arabic name meaning "asked for", "desired" or "prayed for".
How many people are called Sayla in the UK?
A total of 6 babies have been registered as Sayla across the 2 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.