Declining since 1992, #6,838 for girls today.
Popularity of Nandi since 1971
Babies named Nandi per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1970s | 19 |
| 1980s | 46 |
| 1990s | 368 |
| 2000s | 192 |
| 2010s | 135 |
| 2020s | 97 |
Meaning & origin
Nandi is a name of Zulu origin meaning 'sweet' or 'pleasant.' It first appeared in U.S. birth records in 1971, peaking in popularity in 1991, and has since been on a gradual decline, with its trajectory showing a falling trend since 1992. In 2025, it ranked 6,838, with only about 1 in 100,454 newborns given the name. The name carries cultural significance due to Nandi kaBhebhe, the mother of the Zulu king Shaka, and remains a distinctive choice within and outside African communities.
Nandi is derived from the Zulu word meaning 'sweet' or 'pleasant.' It is a traditional name among the Zulu people of South Africa, most famously borne by Nandi kaBhebhe, the mother of the Zulu king Shaka. The name has since spread beyond South Africa as a given name for girls.
“Nandi” around the world
Where Nandi lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
5
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Nan, Nandi
Sibling names for Nandi
Names that share Nandi's style, for a brother or sister.
