UK girl's name
Summa
A feminine name of Arabic origin meaning "highest" or "supreme".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2013. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Summa is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Summa popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2013 in this profile. In that release it ranked #5742, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2009, with 25 births.
This profile covers 197 England and Wales registrations across 18 recorded years from 1996 to 2013. 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 12% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 196 living people in the UK are called Summa. 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 2014 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Summa ranked #5742 for girls in England and Wales in 2013, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2009, when 25 girls were registered as Summa.
- • About 196 living people in the UK are estimated to have Summa as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#5742
2013
Births in 2013
3
Latest year
Peak year
2009
25 births
Estimated living
196
2026
Meaning
What does Summa mean?
The name Summa has its roots in the Latin language and can be traced back to ancient Roman times. It is derived from the Latin word "summus," which means "highest" or "supreme." This name was initially used to denote someone or something of great importance or superiority.
One of the earliest recorded uses of the name Summa can be found in the writings of the renowned philosopher and theologian, Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274). His seminal work, "Summa Theologica," is a monumental treatise on Catholic doctrine and theology, and the title itself means "The Highest Theology."
In the literary world, the name Summa is associated with the Italian poet Dante Alighieri (1265-1321). His epic poem, "The Divine Comedy," contains a section titled "Paradiso," which is divided into 33 cantos, with the final canto being referred to as "Summa Cantica," or "The Highest Song."
During the Renaissance period, the name Summa gained further prominence. One notable figure was the Italian artist and architect, Donato Bramante (1444-1514), whose full name was Donato di Pascuccio d'Antonio, but he was often referred to as "Bramante Summa" or "The Supreme Bramante" in recognition of his exceptional architectural skills.
In the field of music, the name Summa is linked to the German composer and organist, Johann Mattheson (1681-1764). He authored a treatise on music theory titled "Der vollkommene Capellmeister" (The Perfect Chapel Master), which was often referred to as "Summa" by his contemporaries, recognizing it as a comprehensive and authoritative work on the subject.
Another prominent figure associated with the name Summa was the Scottish philosopher and economist, Adam Smith (1723-1790). His magnum opus, "An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations," is considered a seminal work in the field of economics and is sometimes referred to as the "Summa" of classical economics.
These examples illustrate the historical significance and reverence associated with the name Summa, which has been bestowed upon individuals and works of great importance and influence across various fields, from philosophy and theology to literature, architecture, music, and economics.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Summa over time
The chart below shows babies named Summa registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1996 to 2013. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Summa, the clearest high point is 2009. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2013, compared with 25 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Summa by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Summa 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 | #3812 | 28 | 4 |
| 2000s | #1830 | 135 | 10 |
| 1990s | #1927 | 34 | 4 |
Related
Names similar to Summa
- 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
Summa: questions and answers
How popular is the name Summa in the UK right now?
In 2013, Summa was ranked #5742 for girls in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Summa most popular?
The peak year on record was 2009, with 25 babies registered as Summa in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Summa?
A feminine name of Arabic origin meaning "highest" or "supreme".
How many people are called Summa in the UK?
A total of 197 babies have been registered as Summa across the 18 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.