Declining since 2017, #1,981 for girls today.
Popularity of Shanaya since 1976
Babies named Shanaya per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1970s | 11 |
| 1980s | 162 |
| 1990s | 381 |
| 2000s | 528 |
| 2010s | 1,368 |
| 2020s | 699 |
Meaning & origin
Shanaya is a name with Sanskrit roots meaning 'gift of God,' which has found a modern audience in the United States. First recorded in 1976, it saw a steady rise in popularity, reaching its peak rank in 2016. Since 2017, however, its usage has been declining; as of 2025, it ranks 1981st with a frequency of 1 in 16,570 births. The name is most popular in New Jersey, Ohio, and Illinois, reflecting concentrations of families with South Asian heritage. While often linked to the singer Shania Twain, Shanaya has developed its own identity as a contemporary classic.
Shanaya is a name of Sanskrit origin, derived from elements meaning "gift" and "God," often interpreted as "gift of God." It gained popularity in the English-speaking world as a variant of the name Shania, which was popularized by Canadian singer Shania Twain in the 1990s. The name has since become common in Indian diaspora communities and among parents seeking a modern-sounding name with a spiritual meaning.
Where Shanaya is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Shanaya” around the world
Where Shanaya lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
10
babies in 2024
Ireland
3
babies in 2025
New Zealand
10
babies in 2025
Quebec
5
babies in 2025
Sources: INSEE (France) · CSO Ireland (Ireland) · NZ Dept of Internal Affairs (New Zealand) · Retraite Québec (Quebec).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Shana, Naya, Ana
Sibling names for Shanaya
Names that share Shanaya's style, for a brother or sister.
