UK girl's name
Shaniah
A feminine name of Arabic origin meaning "elevated" or "exalted".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2023. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Shaniah is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Shaniah popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2023 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4709, with 4 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 1999, with 18 births.
This profile covers 161 England and Wales registrations across 22 recorded years from 1997 to 2023. 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 22% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 160 living people in the UK are called Shaniah. 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 2024 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Shaniah ranked #4709 for girls in England and Wales in 2023, with 4 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 1999, when 18 girls were registered as Shaniah.
- • About 160 living people in the UK are estimated to have Shaniah as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#4709
2023
Births in 2023
4
Latest year
Peak year
1999
18 births
Estimated living
160
2026
Meaning
What does Shaniah mean?
The name Shaniah is a relatively modern name that has gained popularity in recent decades. It is believed to have its roots in the Arabic language, where the name Shania or Shaniah is derived from the word "shan," meaning "to rise" or "to ascend." This suggests that the name may have been given to children with the hope that they would rise to great heights or achieve success in life.
While the exact origin of the name Shaniah is somewhat uncertain, it is possible that it was influenced by the Arabic name Shania, which has a similar spelling and pronunciation. Shania is a variant of the name Shania, which means "brilliant" or "shining" in Arabic.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Shaniah can be found in the early 20th century, when it was used as a given name for a few individuals in the United States. However, it was not until the late 20th and early 21st centuries that the name gained widespread popularity, particularly among African American and Hispanic communities.
Throughout history, there have been several notable individuals who have borne the name Shaniah. One of the earliest recorded examples is Shaniah Smith, an American singer and songwriter who was born in 1985. She gained recognition for her work in the R&B and pop genres.
Another noteworthy individual with the name Shaniah is Shaniah Dickson, an American track and field athlete who competed in the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. She specialized in the high jump and represented the United States.
In the realm of literature, Shaniah Sumpter is an American author and poet who has published several works, including the poetry collection "Whispers from the Willow" in 2018.
Shaniah Briggs is an American actress and model who has appeared in various television shows and films, including the popular drama series "Power" in 2018.
Lastly, Shaniah Askew is an American basketball player who played for the University of Southern California's women's basketball team between 2016 and 2020, where she excelled as a forward and helped lead her team to several victories.
While the name Shaniah may have originated from Arabic roots, it has become a popular choice across various cultures and communities, particularly in the United States. Its meaning and significance continue to resonate with parents who wish for their children to rise to great heights and achieve success in their endeavors.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Shaniah over time
The chart below shows babies named Shaniah registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1997 to 2023. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Shaniah, the clearest high point is 1999. The latest England and Wales figure is 4 births in 2023, compared with 18 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Shaniah by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Shaniah 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 | #5189 | 7 | 2 |
| 2010s | #3952 | 41 | 7 |
| 2000s | #2501 | 83 | 10 |
| 1990s | #2087 | 30 | 3 |
Related
Names similar to Shaniah
- 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
Shaniah: questions and answers
How popular is the name Shaniah in the UK right now?
In 2023, Shaniah was ranked #4709 for girls in England and Wales, with 4 births registered.
When was Shaniah most popular?
The peak year on record was 1999, with 18 babies registered as Shaniah in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Shaniah?
A feminine name of Arabic origin meaning "elevated" or "exalted".
How many people are called Shaniah in the UK?
A total of 161 babies have been registered as Shaniah across the 22 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.