UK girl's name
Silke
Of German origin, meaning delicate, soft, or silky.
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2006. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Silke is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Silke popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2006 in this profile. In that release it ranked #3116, with 6 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2006, with 6 births.
This profile covers 15 England and Wales registrations across 4 recorded years from 1996 to 2006. 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.
Silke is at its recorded peak in the England and Wales series.
We estimate that about 15 living people in the UK are called Silke. 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 2007 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Silke ranked #3116 for girls in England and Wales in 2006, with 6 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2006, when 6 girls were registered as Silke.
- • About 15 living people in the UK are estimated to have Silke as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#3116
2006
Births in 2006
6
Latest year
Peak year
2006
6 births
Estimated living
15
2026
Meaning
What does Silke mean?
The given name Silke is of German origin, derived from the Middle Low German word "silke," meaning silk. The name's connection to the luxurious fabric dates back to the Middle Ages when silk production and trade flourished in parts of Europe.
In medieval times, the city of Cologne in Germany was a prominent center for silk weaving and trading. It is likely that the name Silke emerged in this region, perhaps given to individuals involved in the silk industry or associated with the fabric's refined and valuable nature.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Silke can be found in the 13th century. Silke von Hohensteyn, a noblewoman from the region of Hohensteyn in Germany, was mentioned in historical records from around 1250. Her name suggests the name's usage among the aristocracy during that era.
In the 15th century, a German mystic and writer named Silke Krämer (born around 1430) gained recognition for her spiritual works and teachings. Her writings, which explored themes of mysticism and religious devotion, were influential during the late medieval period.
During the Renaissance, the name Silke appeared in various artistic and literary circles. Silke Blümchen (1520-1589), a renowned German painter known for her exquisite portraiture, was a prominent figure in the art world of her time.
Moving into the modern era, Silke Bornhöft (1933-2019) was a respected German actress and theater director. She had a prolific career spanning over six decades and was celebrated for her performances on stage and screen.
Another notable figure was Silke Maier-Witt (born 1950), a German politician and member of the Christian Democratic Union party. She served as a member of the Bundestag, the German federal parliament, and held influential positions within her party.
These examples demonstrate the enduring presence of the name Silke throughout different periods of history, spanning various fields and professions. While the name's origins can be traced back to the silk trade and industry, it has evolved to represent a rich cultural heritage and has been carried by individuals who have made significant contributions to their respective areas.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Silke over time
The chart below shows babies named Silke registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1996 to 2006. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Silke, the clearest high point is 2006. The latest England and Wales figure is 6 births in 2006, compared with 6 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Silke by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Silke 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 | #3942 | 12 | 3 |
| 1990s | #3795 | 3 | 1 |
Related
Names similar to Silke
- 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
Silke: questions and answers
How popular is the name Silke in the UK right now?
In 2006, Silke was ranked #3116 for girls in England and Wales, with 6 births registered.
When was Silke most popular?
The peak year on record was 2006, with 6 babies registered as Silke in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Silke?
Of German origin, meaning delicate, soft, or silky.
How many people are called Silke in the UK?
A total of 15 babies have been registered as Silke 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.