UK girl's name
Sumia
A feminine name of Arabic origin meaning "modesty" or "purity".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2009. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Sumia is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Sumia popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2009 in this profile. In that release it ranked #5556, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 1997, with 6 births.
This profile covers 26 England and Wales registrations across 6 recorded years from 1996 to 2009. 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 50% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 26 living people in the UK are called Sumia. 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 2010 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Sumia ranked #5556 for girls in England and Wales in 2009, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 1997, when 6 girls were registered as Sumia.
- • About 26 living people in the UK are estimated to have Sumia as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#5556
2009
Births in 2009
3
Latest year
Peak year
1997
6 births
Estimated living
26
2026
Meaning
What does Sumia mean?
The given name Sumia has its origins in the Arabic language and culture. It is derived from the Arabic word 'sumayyah', which means 'highly praised' or 'elevated'. The name is believed to have first emerged during the early Islamic period, around the 7th century AD, in the Arabian Peninsula.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Sumia can be found in the writings of renowned Islamic scholars and historians from the medieval era. It is mentioned in several historical texts and records, particularly those documenting the lives of prominent figures from the early Islamic world.
Throughout history, there have been several notable individuals who bore the name Sumia. One of the earliest known was Sumia bint al-Hasan (born around 635 AD), who was a granddaughter of the Islamic prophet Muhammad. She was known for her piety and devotion to her faith.
Another historical figure with the name Sumia was Sumia al-Muhtadi (born around 1122 AD), a renowned female scholar and poet from the Abbasid Caliphate. She was highly respected for her contributions to literature and religious studies during her time.
In the 13th century, Sumia al-Qudsi (1202-1290) was a prominent Sufi mystic and spiritual teacher from Damascus. She was known for her profound wisdom and influential teachings on Islamic mysticism.
Moving forward in time, Sumia Rizvi (1901-1984) was a distinguished Pakistani poet and writer who gained recognition for her works in Urdu literature. She was also an active advocate for women's rights and education.
Lastly, Sumia Swami (1919-2004) was an influential Indian philosopher and author who wrote extensively on topics related to spirituality, social reform, and human rights. Her works had a significant impact on philosophical discourse in India during the 20th century.
The name Sumia has maintained a presence throughout history, with numerous individuals bearing this name leaving their mark across various fields, including religion, literature, poetry, and philosophy. Its Arabic origins and meaning of 'highly praised' or 'elevated' have contributed to its enduring appeal and significance.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Sumia over time
The chart below shows babies named Sumia registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1996 to 2009. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Sumia, the clearest high point is 1997. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2009, compared with 6 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Sumia by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Sumia 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 | #3957 | 17 | 4 |
| 1990s | #3103 | 9 | 2 |
Related
Names similar to Sumia
- 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
Sumia: questions and answers
How popular is the name Sumia in the UK right now?
In 2009, Sumia was ranked #5556 for girls in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Sumia most popular?
The peak year on record was 1997, with 6 babies registered as Sumia in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Sumia?
A feminine name of Arabic origin meaning "modesty" or "purity".
How many people are called Sumia in the UK?
A total of 26 babies have been registered as Sumia across the 6 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.