UK girl's name
Sreya
A feminine name of Sanskrit origin meaning "superior" or "better".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2021. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Sreya is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Sreya popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2021 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4634, with 4 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2007, with 5 births.
This profile covers 40 England and Wales registrations across 11 recorded years from 1998 to 2021. 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 80% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 40 living people in the UK are called Sreya. 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 2022 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Sreya ranked #4634 for girls in England and Wales in 2021, with 4 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2007, when 5 girls were registered as Sreya.
- • About 40 living people in the UK are estimated to have Sreya as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#4634
2021
Births in 2021
4
Latest year
Peak year
2007
5 births
Estimated living
40
2026
Meaning
What does Sreya mean?
The name Sreya has its origins in the Sanskrit language, which is an ancient Indo-Aryan language that originated in the Indian subcontinent. It is believed to have been derived from the Sanskrit word "shreyas," which means "better," "more auspicious," or "virtuous." The name has been in use for centuries, particularly in Hindu communities across South Asia.
One of the earliest recorded mentions of the name Sreya can be found in ancient Hindu texts and scriptures. It is mentioned in the Upanishads, which are philosophical-religious texts that form part of the Vedas, the sacred scriptures of Hinduism. The name is associated with concepts of spiritual growth, self-improvement, and seeking a higher purpose in life.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Sreya. One of the earliest recorded instances was Sreya Narayana (born in the 8th century CE), a renowned Sanskrit scholar and poet who hailed from the Indian state of Kerala. His works, including the "Narayaniyam," a Sanskrit poem praising Lord Vishnu, have had a lasting impact on Hindu literature.
Another prominent figure was Sreya Devi (1189-1252 CE), a Bengali poet and mystic who is revered for her devotional songs and compositions dedicated to the Hindu goddess Kali. Her literary contributions have significantly influenced the Vaishnava and Shakta traditions within Hinduism.
In more recent times, Sreya Gossain (1936-2018) was an influential Indian classical dancer and choreographer. She was a pioneer in the revival and promotion of the Bharatanatyam dance form, and her performances and teachings have left a lasting legacy in the world of Indian classical dance.
Sreya Majumder (born 1981) is a contemporary Indian author and journalist. Her novel "The Fireflies of Sedawayo" garnered critical acclaim and won several literary awards, including the Sahitya Akademi Yuva Puraskar, which is one of the highest literary honors in India.
Another notable figure is Sreya Ghoshal (born 1984), an Indian playback singer who has lent her voice to numerous Bollywood and regional Indian films. She has received numerous awards and accolades for her contributions to the Indian music industry, including six Filmfare Awards and four National Film Awards.
These are just a few examples of individuals who have borne the name Sreya throughout history, but there are undoubtedly many more who have made significant contributions to various fields and cultures.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Sreya over time
The chart below shows babies named Sreya registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1998 to 2021. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Sreya, the clearest high point is 2007. The latest England and Wales figure is 4 births in 2021, compared with 5 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Sreya by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Sreya 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 | #5064 | 7 | 2 |
| 2010s | #5072 | 15 | 4 |
| 2000s | #4463 | 15 | 4 |
| 1990s | #3848 | 3 | 1 |
Related
Names similar to Sreya
- 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
Sreya: questions and answers
How popular is the name Sreya in the UK right now?
In 2021, Sreya was ranked #4634 for girls in England and Wales, with 4 births registered.
When was Sreya most popular?
The peak year on record was 2007, with 5 babies registered as Sreya in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Sreya?
A feminine name of Sanskrit origin meaning "superior" or "better".
How many people are called Sreya in the UK?
A total of 40 babies have been registered as Sreya across the 11 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.