Tulsi Girl
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: TOOL-see //ˈtʊl.si//
Origin: Sanskrit; Hindi
Meaning: Sanskrit: holy basil; Hindi: sacred plant
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Tulsi has its roots in the Sanskrit language, where it is derived from the word "tulasi" (तुलसी), which refers to the holy basil plant, revered in Hindu culture. The term itself is believed to be linked to the Proto-Indo-European root *dʰel- meaning "to grow" or "to thrive," reflecting the plant's significance in traditional Indian medicine and spirituality.
The name entered English through the transliteration of Sanskrit, particularly during the colonial period when interest in Indian culture and religion grew among Western scholars and practitioners. Historically, Tulsi holds a prominent place in Hindu mythology and scripture.
It is often associated with the goddess Lakshmi and is considered a sacred plant in Hindu households, symbolizing purity and devotion. The plant is frequently mentioned in ancient texts, including the Vedas and Puranas, where it is celebrated for its medicinal properties and spiritual significance.
The worship of Tulsi is an integral part of various Hindu rituals, particularly in the context of the festival of Tulsi Vivah, which commemorates the marriage of the Tulsi plant to the god Vishnu, a practice that dates back centuries. Culturally, the name Tulsi embodies a deep reverence for nature and spirituality within Hindu traditions.
It is often associated with concepts of health, wellness, and divine protection. The name may also evoke the image of resilience and strength, akin to the hardy basil plant that thrives in various conditions.
In some contexts, diminutive forms or variations of the name may be used, but Tulsi itself remains a powerful symbol of faith and devotion in Indian culture.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Tulsi, 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 Tulsi. 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 Tulsi was first seen in the United States in 1987.
Tulsi has ranked as high as #1324 nationally, which occurred in 2024, and has been most popular in California, and New Jersey.
In the past 5 years the name Tulsi has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Tulsi 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 Tulsi was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Tulsi (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 |
|---|---|---|
| CA | 9 |
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 Tulsi.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 36 |
| 2023 | 25 |
| 2022 | 34 |
| 2021 | 26 |
| 2020 | 29 |
| 2019 | 13 |
| 2018 | 12 |
| 2017 | 31 |
| 2016 | 15 |
| 2015 | 12 |
| 2014 | 10 |
| 2013 | 9 |
| 2012 | 7 |
| 2011 | 11 |
| 2010 | 15 |
| 2009 | 7 |
| 2008 | 12 |
| 2007 | 10 |
| 2006 | 15 |
| 2005 | 12 |
| 2004 | 10 |
| 2003 | 15 |
| 2002 | 24 |
| 2001 | 14 |
| 2000 | 8 |
| 1999 | 14 |
| 1998 | 20 |
| 1997 | 18 |
| 1996 | 12 |
| 1995 | 15 |
| 1994 | 10 |
| 1993 | 7 |
| 1992 | 11 |
| 1991 | 12 |
| 1990 | 9 |
| 1989 | 10 |
| 1988 | 8 |
| 1987 | 7 |