Declining since 2008, #4,172 for girls today.
Popularity of Mahi since 2001
Babies named Mahi per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 2000s | 438 |
| 2010s | 600 |
| 2020s | 198 |
Meaning & origin
Mahi entered U.S. records in 2001 and reached its peak rank in 2009, reflecting increased usage among Indian-American families. As of 2025, it ranks 4,172 (about 1 in 47,273 births) and has been gradually declining since 2008. The name is most popular in New Jersey and California, states with large South Asian communities. Its Sanskrit roots give it rich cultural resonance in Hinduism, where it evokes the earth and divine fish incarnation. Despite its rarity in the broader U.S., Mahi carries a melodic, two-syllable sound that fits contemporary naming trends.
Mahi derives from the Sanskrit root mah meaning 'great.' In Hindu tradition, Mahi is a name for the earth (personified as the goddess Bhumi) and also appears as a name for the river Mahi in western India. The word also denotes 'fish' in Sanskrit, associated with the Matsya avatar of Vishnu. The name has been used in India as a feminine given name, gaining wider recognition in the 21st century.
Where Mahi is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Mahi” around the world
Where Mahi lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
5
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Sibling names for Mahi
Names that share Mahi's style, for a brother or sister.
