UK girl's name
Sayuri
A feminine Japanese name meaning "small lily".
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.
Sayuri is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Sayuri 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 2013, with 8 births.
This profile covers 48 England and Wales registrations across 11 recorded years from 2008 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 38% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 48 living people in the UK are called Sayuri. 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
- • Sayuri ranked #5891 for girls in England and Wales in 2024, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2013, when 8 girls were registered as Sayuri.
- • About 48 living people in the UK are estimated to have Sayuri 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
2013
8 births
Estimated living
48
2026
Meaning
What does Sayuri mean?
The name Sayuri is derived from Japanese origins. It is a feminine name that combines the elements "sa" meaning blossom or bloom, and "yuri" meaning lily flower. The name can therefore be translated to mean "lily blossom" or "lily flower."
Sayuri's roots can be traced back to the late 7th century CE in Japan, a period known as the Nara Period. During this time, Buddhism gained widespread influence, and many names began incorporating elements from nature and flowers, which held significant symbolic meaning in Buddhist teachings.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Sayuri can be found in the 11th century Japanese classic, The Tale of Genji, written by Murasaki Shikibu. In this renowned work of literature, a character named Sayuri is mentioned, though her role is relatively minor.
Throughout Japanese history, several notable individuals have borne the name Sayuri. One such figure was Sayuri Yamate (1915-2005), a renowned Japanese dancer and actress. She was celebrated for her mastery of traditional Japanese dance forms and her contributions to preserving and promoting these art forms.
Another notable Sayuri was Sayuri Yoshinaga (1945-2022), a Japanese voice actress known for her roles in numerous anime series and films. Her distinctive voice and talent earned her a dedicated following among anime enthusiasts worldwide.
In the realm of literature, Sayuri Ishii (born 1954) is a celebrated Japanese author known for her novels and short stories exploring themes of family, identity, and the complexities of modern Japanese society.
Beyond Japan, the name Sayuri has also gained recognition thanks to the acclaimed novel and film "Memoirs of a Geisha" by Arthur Golden. The protagonist, a fictional geisha named Sayuri, brought the name to global attention and sparked interest in its meaning and cultural significance.
While these are just a few examples, the name Sayuri has a rich history and has been borne by numerous individuals throughout Japanese history, from artists and performers to writers and cultural figures, each leaving their mark on the diverse tapestry of Japanese culture and society.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Sayuri over time
The chart below shows babies named Sayuri registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2008 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 Sayuri, the clearest high point is 2013. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2024, compared with 8 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Sayuri by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Sayuri 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 | #4753 | 17 | 4 |
| 2010s | #4794 | 22 | 5 |
| 2000s | #4212 | 9 | 2 |
Related
Names similar to Sayuri
- 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
Sayuri: questions and answers
How popular is the name Sayuri in the UK right now?
In 2024, Sayuri was ranked #5891 for girls in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Sayuri most popular?
The peak year on record was 2013, with 8 babies registered as Sayuri in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Sayuri?
A feminine Japanese name meaning "small lily".
How many people are called Sayuri in the UK?
A total of 48 babies have been registered as Sayuri across the 11 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.