Anjali Girl
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: AHN-jah-lee /ˈʌn.dʒə.li/
Origin: Sanskrit; Hindi
Meaning: Sanskrit: 'offering'; Hindi: 'gift'
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Anjali has its roots in the ancient Sanskrit language, where it is derived from the word 'anjali' (अञ्जलि), which literally means 'offering' or 'salutation.' This term is often associated with the gesture of placing one's palms together in a prayer-like position, symbolizing respect and devotion. The name entered English through the cultural and linguistic exchanges that occurred during the British colonial period in India, where Sanskrit and its derivatives influenced various aspects of language and culture.
Historically, Anjali is significant in Hindu tradition and is often linked to various religious texts and practices. It is mentioned in ancient scriptures, including the Vedas and Upanishads, which date back to the early centuries of the first millennium BCE.
The name is also associated with several deities and is used in rituals, emphasizing its spiritual connotations. The concept of Anjali is further illustrated in classical Indian dance and art, where the gesture of Anjali is depicted as a form of greeting or reverence.
Culturally, Anjali embodies values of respect, humility, and devotion, making it a name that resonates deeply within Hindu communities. It is often given to girls with the hope that they will embody these virtues.
The name has also inspired various diminutive forms and variations in different languages and regions, reflecting its adaptability and enduring significance across cultures. Anjali's rich historical and cultural background contributes to its lasting presence in the lexicon of names associated with spirituality and grace.
Famous people named Anjali
In this section, you will find notable people named Anjali. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Anjali who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Anjali who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.
Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.
Anjali Patil is an actress best known for Gandu, The Last Resort, and Azaadi Ke Liye.
Anjali Sud is a business executive best known for her role as CEO of Vimeo.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Anjali, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
Similar names
Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Anjali. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Anjali was first seen in the United States in 1964.
Anjali has ranked as high as #1095 nationally, which occurred in 2005, and has been most popular in California, New York, New Jersey, Texas, and Florida.
In the past 5 years the name Anjali has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Anjali is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Anjali was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Anjali (2024)
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. In some cases, you may see four or five states listed. However, we only display states where the name represents a significant percentage of births, so the number of states shown can range from one to several.
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| NY | 10 | |
| CA | 9 | |
| FL | 9 | |
| NJ | 7 | |
| NC | 5 |
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Anjali.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 74 |
| 2023 | 74 |
| 2022 | 88 |
| 2021 | 80 |
| 2020 | 84 |
| 2019 | 103 |
| 2018 | 97 |
| 2017 | 94 |
| 2016 | 123 |
| 2015 | 149 |
| 2014 | 130 |
| 2013 | 198 |
| 2012 | 177 |
| 2011 | 198 |
| 2010 | 206 |
| 2009 | 229 |
| 2008 | 247 |
| 2007 | 238 |
| 2006 | 251 |
| 2005 | 255 |
| 2004 | 210 |
| 2003 | 231 |
| 2002 | 238 |
| 2001 | 222 |
| 2000 | 230 |
| 1999 | 202 |
| 1998 | 93 |
| 1997 | 80 |
| 1996 | 95 |
| 1995 | 73 |
| 1994 | 53 |
| 1993 | 61 |
| 1992 | 55 |
| 1991 | 28 |
| 1990 | 39 |
| 1989 | 50 |
| 1988 | 46 |
| 1987 | 35 |
| 1986 | 38 |
| 1985 | 45 |
| 1984 | 42 |
| 1983 | 48 |
| 1982 | 37 |
| 1981 | 43 |
| 1980 | 41 |
| 1979 | 48 |
| 1978 | 42 |
| 1977 | 40 |
| 1976 | 22 |
| 1975 | 20 |
| 1974 | 25 |
| 1973 | 31 |
| 1972 | 13 |
| 1971 | 21 |
| 1970 | 26 |
| 1969 | 12 |
| 1968 | 10 |
| 1966 | 5 |
| 1965 | 5 |
| 1964 | 6 |