Vashti Girl

Popularity: #936 · Trend: ↘ Falling

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: VAS-tee /ˈvæʃti/

Origin: Persian; Hebrew

Meaning: Persian: 'beautiful'; Hebrew: 'she who is desired'

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Vashti has its roots in ancient Persian, derived from the word "vash" meaning "beautiful" or "good." The name appears in the Hebrew Bible, specifically in the Book of Esther, where Vashti is the queen of King Ahasuerus (commonly identified with Xerxes I) and is noted for her refusal to appear at the king's banquet, an act that ultimately leads to her removal from the throne. The name was transliterated into Greek as "Vashti" and subsequently carried into Latin and Old French before entering the English lexicon, primarily through biblical translations and the influence of the Protestant Reformation in the 16th century.

Historically, Vashti's story is significant within the context of Jewish tradition and has been interpreted in various ways over the centuries. Her character is often viewed as a symbol of female strength and defiance against patriarchal authority.

The narrative of Esther, which includes Vashti's role, has been a focal point in Jewish culture, particularly during the festival of Purim, which celebrates the deliverance of the Jewish people from a plot to annihilate them, as recounted in the same biblical text. The Book of Esther was likely composed in the 5th century BCE, and its themes have resonated through Jewish history.

Culturally, Vashti's legacy has endured as a representation of courage and autonomy, often serving as an inspiration in feminist discourse. The name has also been associated with various artistic and literary works that explore themes of power and resistance.

In some traditions, diminutive forms or variations of the name have emerged, but Vashti itself remains the most recognized form. Overall, the name carries a rich historical and cultural significance that reflects its origins and the narrative surrounding its biblical namesake.

Famous people named Vashti

In this section, you will find notable people named Vashti. 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 Vashti who have made a significant impact on popular culture.

We also feature individuals named Vashti 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.

Vashti Bunyan is a singer-songwriter best known for her albums Just Another Diamond Day, Lookaftering, and Heartleap.

Vashti Harrison is an author and illustrator best known for her books Little Leaders: Bold Women in Black History, Little Dreamers: Visionary Women Around the World, and Little Legends: Exceptional Men in Black History.

Fictional characters named Vashti

The following list of fictional characters named Vashti is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.

You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.

Vashti is a fictional character from the short story 'The Machine Stops' by E.M. Forster. She is a resident of a future society where people live underground and rely on a vast machine for all their needs, ultimately rejecting the machine's control.

Sibling suggestions

If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Vashti, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.

EstherMiriamLeahNaomiRuthSarah

Similar names

Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Vashti. 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.

TashiAshaZaraLilaNinaMayaSaraiZuri

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Vashti was first seen in the United States in 1882.

Vashti has ranked as high as #2252 nationally, which occurred in 1922, and has been most popular in North Carolina, New York, California, Texas, and Georgia.

In the past 5 years the name Vashti has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Vashti 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 Vashti was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.

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 Vashti.

Year Total Births Girl
2025 12 12
2024 9 9
2023 15 15
2022 13 13
2021 13 13
2020 8 8
2019 15 15
2018 14 14
2017 19 19
2016 9 9
2015 14 14
2014 20 20
2013 24 24
2012 19 19
2011 16 16
2010 29 29
2009 25 25
2008 20 20
2007 21 21
2006 20 20
2005 22 22
2004 23 23
2003 23 23
2002 19 19
2001 27 27
2000 26 26
1999 26 26
1998 34 34
1997 30 30
1996 24 24
1995 40 40
1994 37 37
1993 37 37
1992 33 33
1991 31 31
1990 35 35
1989 35 35
1988 32 32
1987 22 22
1986 24 24
1985 25 25
1984 19 19
1983 18 18
1982 29 29
1981 18 18
1980 19 19
1979 25 25
1978 19 19
1977 26 26
1976 24 24
1975 20 20
1974 14 14
1973 6 6
1972 16 16
1971 9 9
1970 12 12
1969 6 6
1968 10 10
1967 7 7
1966 8 8
1965 6 6
1964 12 12
1963 7 7
1962 6 6
1961 9 9
1959 12 12
1958 10 10
1957 16 16
1956 7 7
1955 8 8
1954 8 8
1953 11 11
1952 10 10
1951 12 12
1950 11 11
1949 9 9
1948 12 12
1947 11 11
1946 12 12
1945 9 9
1944 12 12
1943 8 8
1942 7 7
1941 10 10
1940 17 17
1939 10 10
1938 15 15
1937 7 7
1936 11 11
1935 23 23
1934 11 11
1933 13 13
1932 18 18
1931 19 19
1930 10 10
1929 19 19
1928 16 16
1927 23 23
1926 15 15
1925 28 28
1924 29 29
1923 19 19
1922 40 40
1921 27 27
1920 29 29
1919 27 27
1918 34 34
1917 20 20
1916 27 27
1915 23 23
1914 24 24
1913 22 22
1912 23 23
1911 11 11
1910 8 8
1909 12 12
1908 13 13
1907 16 16
1906 9 9
1905 10 10
1904 18 18
1903 15 15
1902 20 20
1901 11 11
1900 13 13
1899 9 9
1898 11 11
1897 10 10
1896 12 12
1895 12 12
1894 11 11
1893 12 12
1892 9 9
1891 5 5
1890 9 9
1889 8 8
1888 6 6
1882 6 6

Top States for Vashti (2007)

We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.

State Births Share
TX 5
100%