A 1970s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Anil since 1959
Babies named Anil per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1989, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Anil's real moment was 1975.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1950s | 9 |
| 1960s | 86 |
| 1970s | 276 |
| 1980s | 334 |
| 1990s | 260 |
| 2000s | 133 |
| 2010s | 55 |
| 2020s | 7 |
Meaning & origin
Anil is a name of Sanskrit origin, associated with the wind god in Hindu mythology. While it has a long history in India, its popularity in U.S. records began in 1959. The name's peak usage came in 1975, with a recent revival that started in 2022. Despite being a traditional name, it has not appeared widely in top state rankings, remaining a distinctive choice. Its trajectory indicates a modest resurgence among new parents seeking culturally rich names.
Anil is derived from the Sanskrit word 'anila' meaning 'wind' or 'air'. It appears in ancient Hindu texts, including the Rigveda, where Anila is a deity associated with the wind. The name has been used across India for centuries and remains common in modern times.
“Anil” around the world
Where Anil lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
15
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Variants: Anil
Sibling names for Anil
Names that share Anil's style, for a brother or sister.
