UK girl's name
Sonal
A feminine name of Indian origin meaning "golden" or "beautiful".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2007. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Sonal is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Sonal popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2007 in this profile. In that release it ranked #5201, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 1997, with 13 births.
This profile covers 61 England and Wales registrations across 10 recorded years from 1996 to 2007. 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 23% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 61 living people in the UK are called Sonal. 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 2008 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Sonal ranked #5201 for girls in England and Wales in 2007, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 1997, when 13 girls were registered as Sonal.
- • About 61 living people in the UK are estimated to have Sonal as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#5201
2007
Births in 2007
3
Latest year
Peak year
1997
13 births
Estimated living
61
2026
Meaning
What does Sonal mean?
The name Sonal is a modern Hindu name of Sanskrit origin. It is derived from the Sanskrit word 'sona' which means gold or golden. The name is believed to have been coined in the 20th century as a feminine name, inspired by the Sanskrit root word.
In Hindu mythology, gold is considered a sacred and auspicious metal, associated with wealth, prosperity, and divinity. The name Sonal is often given to baby girls as a symbol of these positive attributes and as a hope for a prosperous and blessed life.
The earliest recorded use of the name Sonal can be traced back to the mid-20th century in parts of India, particularly in the states of Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Rajasthan. It gained popularity as a modern, Sanskrit-inspired name during the 20th century.
One of the earliest known individuals with the name Sonal was Sonal Mansingh, an Indian classical dancer and choreographer born in 1944. She is a renowned exponent of the Odissi and Bharatanatyam dance forms and has received numerous honors, including the Padma Bhushan, one of India's highest civilian awards.
Another notable Sonal is Sonal Mehta, an Indian entrepreneur and CEO of the fashion and lifestyle company Meena Bazaar. Born in 1976, she has been recognized for her contributions to the Indian fashion industry and has received several awards for her entrepreneurial achievements.
Sonal Kalra, born in 1975, is a well-known Indian food writer and columnist. She has authored several books on Indian cuisine and is known for her expertise in regional Indian cuisines and food history.
Sonal Mansingh, born in 1953, is a distinguished Indian classical singer and musicologist. She is a highly respected exponent of the Jaipur-Atrauli gharana (style) of Hindustani classical music and has been honored with the Padma Shri, one of India's highest civilian awards.
Sonal Chauhan, born in 1986, is an Indian actress and model. She has appeared in several Bollywood films and is known for her roles in movies like "Jannat" and "3G." Her name, Sonal, has contributed to her popularity as an actress in the Indian film industry.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Sonal over time
The chart below shows babies named Sonal registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1996 to 2007. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Sonal, the clearest high point is 1997. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2007, compared with 13 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Sonal by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Sonal 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 | #3616 | 26 | 6 |
| 1990s | #1946 | 35 | 4 |
Related
Names similar to Sonal
- 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
Sonal: questions and answers
How popular is the name Sonal in the UK right now?
In 2007, Sonal was ranked #5201 for girls in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Sonal most popular?
The peak year on record was 1997, with 13 babies registered as Sonal in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Sonal?
A feminine name of Indian origin meaning "golden" or "beautiful".
How many people are called Sonal in the UK?
A total of 61 babies have been registered as Sonal 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.