Holding steady.
Popularity of Shefali since 1971
Babies named Shefali per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1970s | 54 |
| 1980s | 41 |
| 1990s | 101 |
| 2000s | 87 |
| 2010s | 13 |
| 2020s | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Shefali is a name of Sanskrit origin meaning a flowering tree, often identified with the night-blooming jasmine. It first appeared in U.S. birth records in 1971, and its usage peaked in 2000. The name has remained relatively stable in popularity, never breaking into the top 1000 nationally. While it does not have widespread use outside of Indian communities, it carries cultural resonance within Hindu families. Its etymology connects to classical Indian literature, lending it a poetic and nature-inspired quality.
Shefali derives from Sanskrit शेफालिका (shephalika), referring to the night-flowering jasmine (Nyctanthes arbor-tristis), also known as parijat. The name is common in India, particularly among Hindu families, and appears in classical poetry and texts. It gained modern usage as a given name in the latter half of the 20th century.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Shef, Fali
Variants: Shephali, Shefali
Sibling names for Shefali
Names that share Shefali's style, for a brother or sister.
