Declining since 2005.
Popularity of Shikha since 1982
Babies named Shikha per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1980s | 60 |
| 1990s | 77 |
| 2000s | 83 |
| 2010s | 58 |
| 2020s | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Shikha entered U.S. records in 1982, a modern borrowing from Sanskrit that reflects Hindu cultural heritage. Its peak came in 1996, but usage has been steadily falling since 2005, a trajectory common among many names that spiked in the 1990s. Despite its decline, Shikha remains a meaningful choice for families seeking a name with religious and cultural resonance, evoking the traditional tuft of hair worn by Hindus as a symbol of spiritual discipline.
Shikha comes from Sanskrit शिखा (śikhā) meaning 'tuft of hair, crest, peak, flame'. In Hindu tradition, the shikha is a small tuft of hair kept on the crown of the head, a practice with ancient roots. The name has been used in India for girls since the late 20th century, though it remains uncommon in the United States, where it first appeared in 1982. It reached its peak popularity in 1996 but has been on a declining trajectory since 2005.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Shiku, Shiks
Variants: Shikhaa
Sibling names for Shikha
Names that share Shikha's style, for a brother or sister.
