NameCensus.

UK girl's name

Unique

Meaning "being the only one of its kind" or "one and only".

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.

Unique is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Unique popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #5891, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2004, with 9 births.

This profile covers 79 England and Wales registrations across 18 recorded years from 1998 to 2024. 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 33% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.

We estimate that about 79 living people in the UK are called Unique. 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

  • Unique ranked #5891 for girls in England and Wales in 2024, with 3 registrations.
  • The name peaked in 2004, when 9 girls were registered as Unique.
  • About 79 living people in the UK are estimated to have Unique as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.

Latest rank (E&W)

#5891

2024

Births in 2024

3

Latest year

Peak year

2004

9 births

Estimated living

79

2026

Meaning

What does Unique mean?

The given name Unique is a relatively modern English name that has gained popularity in recent decades. It is derived from the English word "unique," which means one of a kind, unparalleled, or distinct. The name's origins can be traced back to the late 20th century when it started gaining traction as a given name, particularly in certain regions of the United States.

While the name Unique does not have a long historical lineage or cultural roots in ancient civilizations, it reflects a contemporary trend of giving children distinctive and meaningful names. The name's appeal lies in its positive connotation, suggesting that the child is special, extraordinary, and unlike any other.

One of the earliest recorded instances of Unique being used as a given name dates back to the 1970s, though it remained relatively uncommon until the late 1990s and early 2000s. Since then, the name has steadily gained popularity, particularly among certain demographic groups in the United States.

While there are no historically significant figures with the given name Unique from ancient times, a few individuals have gained recognition in more recent years. One notable example is Unique Ratinho, a Brazilian singer and songwriter born in 1984. Another is Unique Hodge, an American former softball player who competed in the 2008 Summer Olympics.

In the world of entertainment, Unique Morris is an American actress known for her roles in films and television shows. Unique Ratcliff is an American rapper and singer who has released several albums and singles. Unique Jenkins is a former professional basketball player who played in the WNBA.

It's worth noting that while the name Unique has gained some traction, it remains a relatively uncommon choice compared to more traditional names. However, its popularity reflects the desire of parents to give their children a name that sets them apart and celebrates their individuality.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

Popularity

Unique over time

The chart below shows babies named Unique registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1998 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 Unique, the clearest high point is 2004. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2024, compared with 9 at the peak.

Babies born per year

Unique
02579199820112024

Decades

Unique by decade

Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Unique 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 #5714 9 3
2010s #4776 12 3
2000s #3521 52 10
1990s #3874 6 2

Related

Names similar to Unique

FAQ

Unique: questions and answers

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

In 2024, Unique was ranked #5891 for girls in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.

When was Unique most popular?

The peak year on record was 2004, with 9 babies registered as Unique in England and Wales.

What is the meaning and origin of Unique?

Meaning "being the only one of its kind" or "one and only".

How many people are called Unique in the UK?

A total of 79 babies have been registered as Unique 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.