Declining since 2005, #5,238 for girls today.
Popularity of Nandini since 1973
Babies named Nandini per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1970s | 25 |
| 1980s | 17 |
| 1990s | 78 |
| 2000s | 437 |
| 2010s | 283 |
| 2020s | 109 |
Meaning & origin
Nandini entered U.S. records in 1973, and by 2006 it reached its peak rank of 5,238. Since 2005, its trajectory has been falling, though it remains a distinctive choice. In 2025, roughly 1 in 67,000 girls was named Nandini, with the highest concentrations in California and Texas. The name's enduring appeal lies in its deep Sanskrit roots and its association with joy and the divine feminine, making it a meaningful cultural touchstone for many Hindu families.
Nandini originates from Sanskrit नन्दिनी (nandinī), a feminine derivative of nanda meaning "joy, happiness." In Hindu mythology, it is an epithet of the goddess Parvati and also the name of the divine cow Nandini, mother of Surabhi. The name has been used across India for centuries, particularly among Hindu families, and gained broader visibility in the West through the Indian diaspora.
Where Nandini is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Nandu, Nandi, Nini
Variants: Nandinee
Sibling names for Nandini
Names that share Nandini's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Ananya, Ishita, Shreya, Tara, Veda, Aarushi, Aishwarya, Anagha, Aradhya, Jahnavi, Priyanka, Riddhi, Ridhi, Roshni, Shruthi, Sneha, Suhana, Akhila, Antara, Anwita, Devanshi, Dhanya, Hansika, Harshini, Keerthana, Keerthi, Manasi, Priti, Rachana, Snigdha, Tejal, Varshini, Saranya, Akshaya, Anuradha, Aradhana, Athira, Daksha, Hansini, Prakriti, Srija, Sunaina
Brothers: Arjun, Rohan, Vikram, Aarav, Dev, Anik, Arvind, Gautham, Raghav, Kalyan, Mohit, Srikar, Suhaan, Vansh, Vikrant, Dhanush, Dheeran, Prabhav, Samyak, Sankalp, Srijan
