NameCensus.

UK girl's name

Starla

A feminine name meaning "star" of English origin.

For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2024. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.

Starla is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Starla popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #1894, with 15 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2015, with 17 births.

This profile covers 187 England and Wales registrations across 22 recorded years from 2003 to 2024. The figures come from ONS England and Wales and NISRA Northern Ireland, 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 88% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.

We estimate that about 189 living people in the UK are called Starla. 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 2025 or 2026.

Key insights

  • Starla ranked #1894 for girls in England and Wales in 2024, with 15 registrations.
  • The name peaked in 2015, when 17 girls were registered as Starla.
  • Starla ranks best in Northern Ireland in the latest published regional snapshot for that area, where it placed #407 in 2024.
  • About 189 living people in the UK are estimated to have Starla as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.

Latest rank (E&W)

#1894

2024

Births in 2024

15

Latest year

Peak year

2015

17 births

Estimated living

189

2026

Meaning

What does Starla mean?

The name Starla is an English feminine given name derived from the word "star." It is believed to have originated in the United States in the early 20th century, possibly as a combination of the words "star" and the common feminine name ending "-la."

One of the earliest recorded uses of the name Starla can be traced back to 1908 when it appeared in a newspaper article from Missouri. However, it did not gain widespread popularity until the mid-20th century, particularly in the 1950s and 1960s.

While the name Starla does not have any direct historical or religious references, it is often associated with the celestial motif of stars, which have held significance in various cultures throughout history. Stars have been revered as symbols of guidance, hope, and beauty, which may have contributed to the appeal of this name.

Notable individuals who have borne the name Starla include Starla Benford (born in 1955), an American actress known for her roles in television shows like "The Jeffersons" and "What's Happening!!" Starla Greer (born in 1979) is an American model and actress who has appeared in various television shows and films.

Another notable Starla is Starla Vaughns Dortch (born in 1972), an American lawyer and civil rights activist. She has been involved in various legal battles related to voting rights and racial discrimination. Starla Lewis (born in 1966) is a Canadian country music singer and songwriter who has released several albums and singles.

Starla Vaughns Dortch, an American lawyer and civil rights activist, was born in 1972 and has been involved in various legal battles related to voting rights and racial discrimination, making significant contributions to the fight for equality and justice.

It's worth noting that while the name Starla gained popularity in the mid-20th century, its usage has declined in recent decades. However, its celestial connotation and unique sound continue to make it a distinctive and intriguing choice for parents seeking a name with a touch of celestial whimsy.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

Popularity

Starla over time

The chart below shows babies named Starla registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2003 to 2024. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.

For Starla, the clearest high point is 2015. The latest England and Wales figure is 15 births in 2024, compared with 17 at the peak.

Babies born per year

Starla
0491317200320132024

Decades

Starla by decade

Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Starla 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 #2777 49 5
2010s #2567 104 10
2000s #4052 34 7

Geography

Where Starla is most common

The bars show the latest published local birth counts for Starla. They are useful for spotting where the name is showing up in real numbers, while the rank beside each bar shows how strongly it performs inside that region.

Starla ranks best in Northern Ireland in the latest published regional snapshot for that area, where it placed #407 in 2024.

Northern Ireland
3

Across the UK

Starla in Scotland and Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland (NISRA)

#407 in 2024

1 years of NISRA records, 3 total registered

Related

Names similar to Starla

FAQ

Starla: questions and answers

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

In 2024, Starla was ranked #1894 for girls in England and Wales, with 15 births registered.

When was Starla most popular?

The peak year on record was 2015, with 17 babies registered as Starla in England and Wales.

What is the meaning and origin of Starla?

A feminine name meaning "star" of English origin.

How many people are called Starla in the UK?

A total of 187 babies have been registered as Starla across the 22 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here and 3 in Northern Ireland.

Where is Starla most common?

In the latest published local rankings, Starla ranks best in Northern Ireland, where it placed #407 in 2024. The regional bars on this page use birth counts, so they also reflect the size of each region.

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.