NameCensus.

UK girl's name

Shyla

A feminine name derived from French, meaning "woods" or "forest".

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.

Shyla is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Shyla popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #2115, with 13 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2008, with 39 births.

This profile covers 575 England and Wales registrations across 29 recorded years from 1996 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 33% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.

We estimate that about 572 living people in the UK are called Shyla. 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

  • Shyla ranked #2115 for girls in England and Wales in 2024, with 13 registrations.
  • The name peaked in 2008, when 39 girls were registered as Shyla.
  • About 572 living people in the UK are estimated to have Shyla as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.

Latest rank (E&W)

#2115

2024

Births in 2024

13

Latest year

Peak year

2008

39 births

Estimated living

572

2026

Meaning

What does Shyla mean?

The name Shyla is believed to have its origins in the Sanskrit language, with roots dating back to ancient India. The name is derived from the Sanskrit word "Shila," which means "rock" or "stone." It is thought to have been used as a name to convey strength, resilience, and stability.

In Hindu mythology, there are references to Shila as a name associated with the goddess Parvati, the consort of Lord Shiva. It is believed that the name was used to describe her unwavering devotion and her ability to stand firm like a rock in the face of adversity.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Shyla can be found in the ancient Indian epic, the Mahabharata. In this text, Shyla is mentioned as the name of a warrior princess who fought alongside her brothers in a great battle.

Throughout history, several notable figures have borne the name Shyla. One of the earliest was Shyla Devi (c. 1050-1120), a renowned poet and scholar from medieval India. Her works were widely celebrated for their depth and beauty, and she is considered a pioneer in the field of Sanskrit literature.

Another notable Shyla was Shyla Vijayavargiya (1809-1887), an influential social reformer and educator from Rajasthan, India. She dedicated her life to the empowerment of women and girls through education and was instrumental in establishing several schools and educational institutions.

In the realm of performing arts, Shyla Ghose (1923-2014) was a celebrated Indian classical dancer and choreographer. Her contributions to the art form of Kathak dance earned her numerous accolades, including the prestigious Padma Bhushan, one of India's highest civilian honors.

Moving to more contemporary times, Shyla Stylez (1984-2017) was an American adult film actress and model. Despite the controversial nature of her profession, she was recognized for her outspoken advocacy for sex workers' rights and her efforts to destigmatize the adult entertainment industry.

Lastly, Shyla Heal (b. 1994) is a professional basketball player from Australia. She has represented her country in various international competitions and is known for her exceptional shooting skills and leadership on the court.

While the name Shyla has its roots in ancient Sanskrit, it has transcended cultural boundaries and found its place in various parts of the world, with individuals from diverse backgrounds carrying this name with pride and making their mark in various fields.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

Popularity

Shyla over time

The chart below shows babies named Shyla registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1996 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 Shyla, the clearest high point is 2008. The latest England and Wales figure is 13 births in 2024, compared with 39 at the peak.

Babies born per year

Shyla
010202939199620102024

Decades

Shyla by decade

Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Shyla 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 #1601 98 5
2010s #1212 288 10
2000s #1853 164 10
1990s #2361 25 4

Related

Names similar to Shyla

FAQ

Shyla: questions and answers

How popular is the name Shyla in the UK right now?

In 2024, Shyla was ranked #2115 for girls in England and Wales, with 13 births registered.

When was Shyla most popular?

The peak year on record was 2008, with 39 babies registered as Shyla in England and Wales.

What is the meaning and origin of Shyla?

A feminine name derived from French, meaning "woods" or "forest".

How many people are called Shyla in the UK?

A total of 575 babies have been registered as Shyla across the 29 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.