MallowbyNames

Akanksha

uh-KUNK-sha · Desire, wish, or aspiration.

Peak popularity
2003
Usually for
Girls
Trend
Holding steady

Holding steady.

Popularity of Akanksha since 1999

Babies named Akanksha per year in U.S. Social Security records.

71320200020102020Most births 2003Girls
Data table (by decade)
DecadeGirls
1990s8
2000s110
2010s54
2020s5

Meaning & origin

Akanksha, first recorded in U.S. data in 1999, is a name with deep Sanskrit roots meaning 'desire' or 'aspiration.' Despite its spiritual meaning, it has never entered the national top 1,000, with its peak year of use in 2003. The name has remained stable in usage, reflecting its popularity within Indian-American communities. Its trajectory shows consistent but modest adoption.

Akanksha comes from the Sanskrit word आकांक्षा (ākāṅkṣā), meaning 'desire' or 'wish.' It is a common feminine given name in India, particularly among Hindu communities, and reflects a positive aspiration or longing. The name has been used consistently since the late 20th century.

Nicknames & variants

Nicknames: Anks, Aku, Kanksha

Variants: Aakanksha, Akanksha

Sibling names for Akanksha

Names that share Akanksha's style, for a brother or sister.

A parent animal hugging its little one, the personalized name page

A is for Akanksha, our favorite little girl.

A is for Akanksha…”

In a Mallowby alphabet book, Akanksha's letter becomes Akanksha's page: hand-illustrated, printed hardcover or paperback, made just for them.

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Questions parents ask

What does the name Akanksha mean?
Akanksha means 'desire,' 'wish,' or 'aspiration' in Sanskrit.
How popular is the name Akanksha currently?
As of 2025, Akanksha is not ranked among the top 1,000 names in the United States. Its peak popularity was in 2003, based on Social Security data.
Is Akanksha a boy's or girl's name?
Akanksha is almost exclusively used as a feminine name.