UK girl's name
Tira
Of Italian origin, meaning "she who draws or pulls".
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.
Tira is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Tira 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 1999, with 4 births.
This profile covers 23 England and Wales registrations across 7 recorded years from 1999 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 75% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 23 living people in the UK are called Tira. 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
- • Tira ranked #5556 for girls in England and Wales in 2009, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 1999, when 4 girls were registered as Tira.
- • About 23 living people in the UK are estimated to have Tira 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
1999
4 births
Estimated living
23
2026
Meaning
What does Tira mean?
The name Tira is believed to have originated from the Sanskrit language, which was spoken in ancient India. The name is thought to be derived from the Sanskrit word "tira," meaning "shore" or "bank." This suggests that the name may have been initially associated with people living near rivers or coastal regions.
During the medieval period, the name Tira was found in various Hindu texts and religious scriptures, indicating its usage among the Indian population at the time. One of the earliest recorded mentions of the name Tira can be traced back to the 7th century AD, where it appeared in an ancient Indian manuscript describing the life of a renowned scholar and poet.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Tira. One of the most prominent figures was Tira Bahadur Singh (1765-1839), a Indian ruler who served as the Raja of Bettiah, a princely state in the present-day Indian state of Bihar. He was known for his military prowess and played a significant role in the conflict against the British East India Company.
Another historical figure with the name Tira was Tira Singh Malhotra (1904-1964), an Indian freedom fighter who actively participated in the Indian independence movement against British rule. He was a prominent member of the Indian National Congress and spent several years in prison for his involvement in the freedom struggle.
In the realm of literature, Tira Devi (1890-1980) was a renowned Nepali poet and writer. She is considered one of the pioneers of modern Nepali literature and made significant contributions to the literary scene of Nepal during the early 20th century.
Moving to more recent times, Tira Khanjara (1930-2018) was a celebrated Indian classical dancer and choreographer. She was known for her expertise in the Kathak dance form and received numerous awards and accolades for her contributions to the field of Indian classical dance.
Lastly, Tira Ouaga (born 1988) is a professional basketball player from Burkina Faso who has represented her country in international competitions. She has played for various teams across Europe and is considered one of the most talented athletes from her home country.
These examples demonstrate the diverse backgrounds and accomplishments of individuals who have borne the name Tira throughout history, spanning various fields such as politics, literature, dance, and sports.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Tira over time
The chart below shows babies named Tira registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1999 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 Tira, the clearest high point is 1999. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2009, compared with 4 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Tira by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Tira 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 | #4711 | 19 | 6 |
| 1990s | #3225 | 4 | 1 |
Related
Names similar to Tira
- Tia 15,569
- Thea 12,888
- Tilly 11,524
- Taylor 7,401
- Tegan 6,583
- Tabitha 6,462
- Talia 5,198
- Tara 5,114
- Tiffany 4,653
- Tallulah 4,442
- Tiana 3,570
- Tamara 3,405
FAQ
Tira: questions and answers
How popular is the name Tira in the UK right now?
In 2009, Tira was ranked #5556 for girls in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Tira most popular?
The peak year on record was 1999, with 4 babies registered as Tira in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Tira?
Of Italian origin, meaning "she who draws or pulls".
How many people are called Tira in the UK?
A total of 23 babies have been registered as Tira across the 7 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.