NameCensus.

UK girl's name

Silka

A feminine name of Czech origin related to silk.

For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2016. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.

Silka is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Silka popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2016 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4763, with 4 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2016, with 4 births.

This profile covers 13 England and Wales registrations across 4 recorded years from 2003 to 2016. 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.

Silka is at its recorded peak in the England and Wales series.

We estimate that about 13 living people in the UK are called Silka. 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 2017 or 2026.

Key insights

  • Silka ranked #4763 for girls in England and Wales in 2016, with 4 registrations.
  • The name peaked in 2016, when 4 girls were registered as Silka.
  • About 13 living people in the UK are estimated to have Silka as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.

Latest rank (E&W)

#4763

2016

Births in 2016

4

Latest year

Peak year

2016

4 births

Estimated living

13

2026

Meaning

What does Silka mean?

The name Silka is believed to have originated from the Old Norse language, spoken by the Norse people who inhabited Scandinavia and parts of northern Europe during the Viking Age (793-1066 AD). It is thought to be derived from the Old Norse word "silki," which means "silk" and was likely used to describe a person with silky smooth hair or a fine, delicate appearance.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Silka can be found in the Icelandic Sagas, a collection of stories and historical accounts written in the 13th and 14th centuries. In the Saga of Erik the Red, a character named Silka is mentioned as a servant of the protagonist, Erik the Red, who led the first Norse expedition to Greenland around 985 AD.

In ancient Norse mythology, there are no known references to a goddess or significant figure named Silka. However, the name's association with silk, a highly prized and luxurious fabric, suggests that it may have been used to convey a sense of beauty, elegance, and refinement.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Silka. One of the most famous was Silka Valett (1709-1765), a Swedish opera singer and actress who performed in the Royal Swedish Opera in Stockholm during the 18th century. She was renowned for her exceptional vocal talents and became a celebrated figure in the Swedish cultural scene of her time.

Another notable Silka was Silka Pålsdotter (1789-1874), a Swedish folk artist and painter known for her vibrant and intricate Dalarna paintings, a style that originated in the Dalarna region of Sweden. Her works are celebrated for their detailed depictions of rural life and traditional Swedish motifs.

In the 20th century, Silka Brendel (1920-2008) was a German-American actress and voice actress who appeared in numerous films and television shows. She is perhaps best known for her role as Frau Kleindienst in the classic film "The Sound of Music" (1965).

Silka Schmidt (born 1958) is a contemporary German actress and voice actress who has lent her voice to numerous animated films and television shows. She is particularly known for her work in the German dubs of Disney animated films, voicing characters such as Ariel in "The Little Mermaid" and Belle in "Beauty and the Beast."

While the name Silka may have its roots in the ancient Norse language, it has transcended its origins and has been embraced by various cultures and societies throughout history, often associated with ideas of beauty, grace, and elegance.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

Popularity

Silka over time

The chart below shows babies named Silka registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2003 to 2016. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.

For Silka, the clearest high point is 2016. The latest England and Wales figure is 4 births in 2016, compared with 4 at the peak.

Babies born per year

Silka
01234200320092016

Decades

Silka by decade

Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Silka 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 #4763 4 1
2000s #4724 9 3

Related

Names similar to Silka

FAQ

Silka: questions and answers

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

In 2016, Silka was ranked #4763 for girls in England and Wales, with 4 births registered.

When was Silka most popular?

The peak year on record was 2016, with 4 babies registered as Silka in England and Wales.

What is the meaning and origin of Silka?

A feminine name of Czech origin related to silk.

How many people are called Silka in the UK?

A total of 13 babies have been registered as Silka across the 4 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.