UK girl's name
Sharne
A feminine name of Aboriginal Australian origin meaning "sunshower" or "sun ray".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2005. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Sharne is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Sharne popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2005 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4798, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 1997, with 9 births.
This profile covers 48 England and Wales registrations across 10 recorded years from 1996 to 2005. 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 33% 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 Sharne. 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 2006 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Sharne ranked #4798 for girls in England and Wales in 2005, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 1997, when 9 girls were registered as Sharne.
- • About 48 living people in the UK are estimated to have Sharne as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#4798
2005
Births in 2005
3
Latest year
Peak year
1997
9 births
Estimated living
48
2026
Meaning
What does Sharne mean?
The given name Sharne originates from England and has its roots in the Old English language. It is derived from the word "scearn," which means "dung" or "excrement." In the early medieval period, this name was likely used as a derogatory term or nickname.
During the Middle Ages, the name Sharne was sometimes associated with occupations related to cleaning or waste disposal. Historical records from the 13th century mention individuals with this name working as scavengers or waste collectors in various English cities and towns.
One of the earliest documented instances of the name Sharne can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, which recorded a person named "Sharne le Revemangere" living in Oxfordshire. The "Revemangere" portion of the name suggests that this individual may have been involved in the trade of removing waste or dung.
In the 14th century, a notable figure with the name Sharne was Sharne de Baskervill, a knight from Herefordshire who fought in the Hundred Years' War against France. He was mentioned in chronicles from the time for his bravery in battle.
During the Renaissance period, the name Sharne gained some popularity among the lower classes in England, particularly in rural areas. A famous bearer of this name was Sharne Wodecok, a farmer and herbalist from Gloucestershire, who was renowned for his knowledge of medicinal plants in the 16th century.
In the 17th century, a notable figure named Sharne Crofte was a prominent merchant and trader in the city of Bristol. He was known for his successful business ventures and philanthropic efforts, contributing to the construction of various public buildings and institutions in the city.
Another historical figure with the name Sharne was Sharne Blythe, a celebrated actress and playwright who lived in London during the late 17th and early 18th centuries. She gained recognition for her performances in several popular plays of the time and was praised for her talents by renowned critics and writers of the era.
While the name Sharne has its roots in an unflattering term, it has evolved over the centuries to become a unique and distinctive name, particularly in English-speaking regions. Its historical associations with various professions and individuals have contributed to its rich cultural heritage.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Sharne over time
The chart below shows babies named Sharne registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1996 to 2005. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Sharne, the clearest high point is 1997. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2005, compared with 9 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Sharne by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Sharne 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | #3925 | 21 | 6 |
| 1990s | #2272 | 27 | 4 |
Related
Names similar to Sharne
- 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
Sharne: questions and answers
How popular is the name Sharne in the UK right now?
In 2005, Sharne was ranked #4798 for girls in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Sharne most popular?
The peak year on record was 1997, with 9 babies registered as Sharne in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Sharne?
A feminine name of Aboriginal Australian origin meaning "sunshower" or "sun ray".
How many people are called Sharne in the UK?
A total of 48 babies have been registered as Sharne across the 10 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.