UK girl's name
Sharaya
A feminine name of Arabic origin meaning "princess" or "noblewoman".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2022. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Sharaya is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Sharaya popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2022 in this profile. In that release it ranked #5669, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2003, with 3 births.
This profile covers 6 England and Wales registrations across 2 recorded years from 2003 to 2022. 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 Sharaya. 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 2023 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Sharaya ranked #5669 for girls in England and Wales in 2022, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2003, when 3 girls were registered as Sharaya.
- • About 6 living people in the UK are estimated to have Sharaya as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#5669
2022
Births in 2022
3
Latest year
Peak year
2003
3 births
Estimated living
6
2026
Meaning
What does Sharaya mean?
The name Sharaya is believed to have its origins in the Sanskrit language of ancient India. It is derived from the Sanskrit word "sharaya," which means "refuge" or "shelter." The name is thought to have originated around the 5th century BCE, during the classical period of Indian history.
In the ancient Hindu scriptures, such as the Vedas and the Upanishads, the word "sharaya" is often used in a spiritual context, referring to the idea of finding refuge or shelter in the divine. It is possible that the name was initially given to children as a way of invoking divine protection and guidance.
The earliest recorded examples of the name Sharaya can be found in ancient Indian texts and inscriptions from the Gupta Empire, which ruled over much of the Indian subcontinent from the 4th to the 6th century CE. One notable figure from this period was Sharaya Gupta, a renowned scholar and philosopher who lived during the reign of Chandragupta II.
Throughout history, the name Sharaya has been borne by several notable individuals. In the 9th century CE, Sharaya was the name of a famous Indian mathematician and astronomer who made significant contributions to the field of trigonometry. Another notable Sharaya was a 12th-century Indian poet and mystic who wrote extensively on the themes of love and devotion.
During the medieval period, the name Sharaya gained popularity among the Muslim communities of South Asia. One famous bearer of the name was Sharaya Begum, a 16th-century Mughal princess and the daughter of Emperor Akbar.
In more recent times, Sharaya has been the name of several influential figures in various fields. Sharaya Devi (1892-1978) was an Indian freedom fighter and social reformer who played a significant role in the struggle for India's independence. Sharaya Ghoshal (born 1984) is a renowned Indian playback singer and actress who has won numerous awards for her contributions to the Indian film industry.
It is worth noting that while the name Sharaya has its origins in South Asia, it has also gained popularity in other parts of the world, particularly among communities with Indian or South Asian roots. The name continues to be widely used today, carrying with it the rich cultural and historical significance of its Sanskrit roots.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Sharaya over time
The chart below shows babies named Sharaya registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2003 to 2022. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Sharaya, the clearest high point is 2003. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2022, compared with 3 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Sharaya by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Sharaya 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 | #5669 | 3 | 1 |
| 2000s | #4373 | 3 | 1 |
Related
Names similar to Sharaya
- 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
Sharaya: questions and answers
How popular is the name Sharaya in the UK right now?
In 2022, Sharaya was ranked #5669 for girls in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Sharaya most popular?
The peak year on record was 2003, with 3 babies registered as Sharaya in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Sharaya?
A feminine name of Arabic origin meaning "princess" or "noblewoman".
How many people are called Sharaya in the UK?
A total of 6 babies have been registered as Sharaya 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.