MallowbyNames

Shital

SHEE-tahl · Cool, calm, or composed; also a name for the goddess Ganga in Hindu tradition.

Peak popularity
1977
Usually for
Girls
Trend
Holding steady

Holding steady.

Popularity of Shital since 1972

Babies named Shital per year in U.S. Social Security records.

51015198020002020Most births 1977Girls
Data table (by decade)
DecadeGirls
1970s58
1980s77
1990s0
2000s0
2010s0
2020s0

Meaning & origin

Shital first appeared in U.S. birth records in 1972, a time when names of Indian origin were beginning to see modest use among immigrant families. Its peak year came in 1977, after which usage has remained stable but low, never entering the top 1000. The name's meaning, rooted in Sanskrit and connected to the goddess Ganga, reflects a sense of calmness that resonates across cultures. While no single state saw particularly high usage, the name has been carried by families throughout the country, maintaining a steady but niche presence over the decades.

Shital is derived from Sanskrit शीतल (śītala), meaning 'cool' or 'calm'. It is also an epithet of the Hindu goddess Ganga, associated with the cooling and purifying waters of the Ganges river. The name has been used in India and among the diaspora, particularly in the latter half of the 20th century.

Nicknames & variants

Nicknames: Shitu, Shee

Variants: Shitala, Sheetal, Seetal

Sibling names for Shital

Names that share Shital's style, for a brother or sister.

Sisters: Anjali, Kavita, Priya, Rekha, Sita

Brothers: Amit, Deepak, Ravi, Sanjay, Vijay

A parent animal hugging its little one, the personalized name page

S is for Shital, our favorite little girl.

S is for Shital…”

In a Mallowby alphabet book, Shital's letter becomes Shital's page: hand-illustrated, printed hardcover or paperback, made just for them.

Make Shital's book

Books for siblings or grandkids? The second book is 15% off.

Questions parents ask

What does the name Shital mean?
Shital means 'cool, calm, or composed' in Sanskrit. It is also associated with the Hindu goddess Ganga, symbolizing coolness and purity.
Is Shital a popular name?
Shital has been in use in the United States since the early 1970s, with a peak in 1977. It remains a relatively uncommon name, ranking outside the top 1000 in recent years.
Is Shital a boy or girl name?
Shital is typically used as a girl's name, though it can be unisex in some contexts.