UK girl's name
Shayana
A feminine name of Sanskrit origin meaning "lying down" or "sleeping".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2017. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Shayana is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Shayana popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2017 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4763, with 4 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2007, with 4 births.
This profile covers 27 England and Wales registrations across 8 recorded years from 2006 to 2017. 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 27 living people in the UK are called Shayana. 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 2018 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Shayana ranked #4763 for girls in England and Wales in 2017, with 4 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2007, when 4 girls were registered as Shayana.
- • About 27 living people in the UK are estimated to have Shayana as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#4763
2017
Births in 2017
4
Latest year
Peak year
2007
4 births
Estimated living
27
2026
Meaning
What does Shayana mean?
The name Shayana has its origins in Sanskrit, the ancient language of the Indian subcontinent. It is believed to have originated during the Vedic period, which spans from around 1500 BCE to 500 BCE. The name is derived from the Sanskrit word "shayan," which means "resting" or "sleeping."
In ancient Hindu texts and scriptures, the name Shayana is mentioned in connection with various deities and mythological figures. One notable reference is found in the Mahabharata, where Shayana is described as a daughter of the sage Rishi Vasishtha. Another mention is in the Puranas, where Shayana is associated with the goddess Lakshmi, the consort of Lord Vishnu.
The earliest recorded examples of the name Shayana can be traced back to the Gupta period in India, which lasted from around 320 CE to 550 CE. During this time, the name was popular among the ruling classes and was often given to princesses and noblewomen.
Throughout history, there have been several notable individuals who bore the name Shayana. One of the earliest was Shayana, a 7th-century Indian mathematician and astronomer who wrote commentaries on important works such as the Aryabhatiya and the Brahmasphutasiddhanta. Another Shayana was a 10th-century Indian philosopher and logician who wrote extensively on the Nyaya school of Indian philosophy.
In the realm of literature, Shayana Devi was a 16th-century Indian poet and mystic from the Bhakti tradition. Her devotional poems and songs, known as bhajans, were widely popular and continue to be sung today.
Moving to more modern times, Shayana Mukherjee was a renowned Indian classical dancer and choreographer who lived from 1909 to 1987. She was instrumental in reviving and popularizing the Kathak dance form in India and abroad.
Finally, Shayana Kadidal is a contemporary American civil rights lawyer and activist who has been involved in various legal battles related to privacy, free speech, and government transparency.
These are just a few examples of individuals who have carried the name Shayana throughout history, highlighting its enduring presence and the diverse backgrounds of those who have borne this name.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Shayana over time
The chart below shows babies named Shayana registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2006 to 2017. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Shayana, the clearest high point is 2007. The latest England and Wales figure is 4 births in 2017, compared with 4 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Shayana by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Shayana 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | #5323 | 17 | 5 |
| 2000s | #4967 | 10 | 3 |
Related
Names similar to Shayana
- 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
Shayana: questions and answers
How popular is the name Shayana in the UK right now?
In 2017, Shayana was ranked #4763 for girls in England and Wales, with 4 births registered.
When was Shayana most popular?
The peak year on record was 2007, with 4 babies registered as Shayana in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Shayana?
A feminine name of Sanskrit origin meaning "lying down" or "sleeping".
How many people are called Shayana in the UK?
A total of 27 babies have been registered as Shayana across the 8 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.