UK girl's name
Sonali
A feminine name of Sanskrit origin meaning "golden" or "beautifully golden".
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.
Sonali is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Sonali popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2016 in this profile. In that release it ranked #5785, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 1996, with 14 births.
This profile covers 109 England and Wales registrations across 17 recorded years from 1996 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.
The latest count is about 21% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 108 living people in the UK are called Sonali. 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
- • Sonali ranked #5785 for girls in England and Wales in 2016, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 1996, when 14 girls were registered as Sonali.
- • About 108 living people in the UK are estimated to have Sonali as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#5785
2016
Births in 2016
3
Latest year
Peak year
1996
14 births
Estimated living
108
2026
Meaning
What does Sonali mean?
The name Sonali has its origins in Sanskrit, an ancient Indo-Aryan language that has been a prominent linguistic force in the Indian subcontinent for over three millennia. The word "sonali" is derived from the Sanskrit term "sona," which translates to "gold." This etymology suggests that the name may have been initially bestowed upon individuals with a golden complexion or as a metaphorical reference to their perceived preciousness.
The earliest recorded instances of the name Sonali can be traced back to ancient Hindu texts and scriptures. In the Rigveda, one of the oldest extant texts of Hinduism, there are references to the term "sonali" being used as an adjective to describe the radiant hue of the sun's rays.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Sonali. One of the earliest recorded figures was Sonali Devi (c. 1420-1460), a renowned poet and mystic from the Bengal region of the Indian subcontinent. Her compositions, which explored themes of devotion and spirituality, are still revered within certain literary circles.
In the 16th century, Sonali Bai (1504-1567) was a prominent courtesan and poet in the Mughal Empire. Her poetic works, which often celebrated love and beauty, were highly regarded during her lifetime and have been preserved in various anthologies.
Moving forward in time, Sonali Das (1808-1878) was a celebrated Bengali novelist and social reformer who used her literary works to advocate for women's rights and education. Her novel "Rohini Kulangini" is considered a groundbreaking work in the realm of Bengali literature.
In more recent history, Sonali Bendre (born 1975) is an acclaimed Indian actress who has appeared in numerous Bollywood films and television shows. She is also known for her philanthropic efforts, particularly in the realm of cancer awareness and support.
Sonali Kulkarni (born 1974) is another accomplished Indian actress who has made her mark in both Marathi and Hindi cinema. She has received numerous accolades for her performances, including several prestigious awards.
These are just a few examples of the many notable individuals who have carried the name Sonali throughout history. The name's rich linguistic heritage and its symbolic association with radiance and preciousness have made it a popular choice across various cultures and generations.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Sonali over time
The chart below shows babies named Sonali registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1996 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 Sonali, the clearest high point is 1996. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2016, compared with 14 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Sonali by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Sonali 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 | #4792 | 21 | 5 |
| 2000s | #3087 | 46 | 8 |
| 1990s | #1659 | 42 | 4 |
Related
Names similar to Sonali
- 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
Sonali: questions and answers
How popular is the name Sonali in the UK right now?
In 2016, Sonali was ranked #5785 for girls in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Sonali most popular?
The peak year on record was 1996, with 14 babies registered as Sonali in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Sonali?
A feminine name of Sanskrit origin meaning "golden" or "beautifully golden".
How many people are called Sonali in the UK?
A total of 109 babies have been registered as Sonali across the 17 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.