NameCensus.

UK girl's name

Viva

A feminine name derived from the Latin word vivere, meaning "alive".

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.

Viva is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Viva 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 2018, with 6 births.

This profile covers 43 England and Wales registrations across 11 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 50% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.

We estimate that about 43 living people in the UK are called Viva. 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

  • Viva ranked #5891 for girls in England and Wales in 2024, with 3 registrations.
  • The name peaked in 2018, when 6 girls were registered as Viva.
  • About 43 living people in the UK are estimated to have Viva 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

2018

6 births

Estimated living

43

2026

Meaning

What does Viva mean?

The name Viva has its roots in the Latin language, derived from the word "vivere," which means "to live." It is believed to have originated during the Roman era, when Latin was widely spoken throughout the Roman Empire.

One of the earliest recorded uses of the name Viva can be found in ancient Roman texts, where it was often used as an exclamation of joy or celebration, similar to the modern-day "hurrah" or "hooray." In these contexts, it was a way to express enthusiasm and zest for life.

During the Middle Ages, the name Viva gained popularity among some Christian communities, particularly in Italy and Spain. It was sometimes given to children as a symbolic wish for them to live a long and vibrant life, reflecting the name's literal meaning.

In the 16th century, a notable figure named Viva Ludovico Della Robbia (1460-1537) was an Italian sculptor and ceramist from Florence. He was known for his terracotta sculptures and his contributions to the della Robbia family's artistic legacy.

Another historical figure with the name Viva was Viva Lucia Valerio (1624-1694), an Italian painter and printmaker from Naples. She was recognized for her portraits and religious works, which were highly regarded during her lifetime.

In the 19th century, Viva Perpetua Felicia Paulina (1782-1857) was a Spanish nun and writer who authored several religious texts and poems. She is remembered for her devotion to her faith and her literary contributions.

During the 20th century, Viva Las Vegas became a popular phrase associated with the city of Las Vegas, Nevada, celebrating its vibrant entertainment and tourism industry. While not a person's name, this phrase helped to further popularize the word "viva" as an expression of joy and excitement.

One of the most famous individuals with the name Viva was Viva Bianca (born in 1983), an Australian actress known for her roles in various television shows and films, including "Spartacus: Blood and Sand" and "Xena: Warrior Princess."

Sourced from namecensus.com.

Popularity

Viva over time

The chart below shows babies named Viva 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 Viva, the clearest high point is 2018. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2024, compared with 6 at the peak.

Babies born per year

Viva
02356199820112024

Decades

Viva by decade

Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Viva 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 #5226 14 4
2010s #4397 23 5
2000s #5545 3 1
1990s #3848 3 1

Related

Names similar to Viva

FAQ

Viva: questions and answers

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

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

When was Viva most popular?

The peak year on record was 2018, with 6 babies registered as Viva in England and Wales.

What is the meaning and origin of Viva?

A feminine name derived from the Latin word vivere, meaning "alive".

How many people are called Viva in the UK?

A total of 43 babies have been registered as Viva across the 11 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.