Declining since 2001, #5,238 for girls today.
Popularity of Sonali since 1970
Babies named Sonali per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1970s | 104 |
| 1980s | 152 |
| 1990s | 291 |
| 2000s | 410 |
| 2010s | 249 |
| 2020s | 154 |
Meaning & origin
Sonali is a feminine name of Sanskrit origin meaning 'golden.' Though it first appeared in U.S. naming records in 1970, it saw its greatest popularity in the year 2000, when it ranked substantially higher. Since 2001, however, its usage has been on a steady decline, and in 2025 it ranked 5,238 nationally. The name is given to roughly 1 in every 66,969 girls born today, reflecting its continued but modest presence among Indian-American families and others drawn to its lyrical sound and luminous meaning. While no single state stands out as a stronghold for Sonali, its use mirrors the broader distribution of the South Asian diaspora across the United States.
Sonali is the feminine form of Sonal, derived from Sanskrit सोन (sona) meaning 'gold'. It is a common name in India and Nepal, often given to girls born during the festival of Diwali or other auspicious occasions. The name has been used in Bengali, Marathi, and other Indian languages, and gained some popularity internationally through the Indian diaspora.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Sona, Soni
Variants: Sonal
Sibling names for Sonali
Names that share Sonali's style, for a brother or sister.
