Baby Names US
girls' name ★ peaked 1979

Shanika

Meaning From Sinhalese ශානිකා (śānikā) Gender Girl Rank 2025 Below top lists

From Sinhalese ශානිකා (śānikā).

Rank 2025
–
among girls
Babies in 2025
<5
named Shanika
How common
–
girls born in 2025
Peak year
1979
410 babies
All-time total
5,610
#2,382 all-time among girls
First recorded
1970
in Social Security records

Shanika popularity over time

5,610 babies have been named Shanika since 1970, according to official Social Security records. Switch measure to see births per year or the yearly rank.

Measure
Births per 1,000 babies of that sex, comparable across eras
0.080.150.230.318801900192019401960198020002020GirlsBoys
GirlsBoys

By decade. Change compares yearly averages, so the current partial decade is on equal footing. Best rank is the name's best yearly rank within the decade.

Decade Girls Boys Total Per year Change Best rank
1880s – – – – – –
1890s – – – – – –
1900s – – – – – –
1910s – – – – – –
1920s – – – – – –
1930s – – – – – –
1940s – – – – – –
1950s – – – – – –
1960s – – – – – –
1970s 1,234 – 1,234 123 – #495
1980s 2,712 11 2,723 272 +121% #626
1990s 1,469 – 1,469 147 -46% #722
2000s 150 – 150 15 -90% #4,383
2010s 25 – 25 3 -83% #11,128
2020s (to 2025) 9 – 9 2 -40% #10,973

The story of Shanika

Shanika is not currently in use for newborns in the United States: fewer than five babies received the name in 2025. Its story lives in the historical record below.

Since 1970, 5,610 American babies have been named Shanika. Its peak came in 1979, when 410 newborns received the name, the signature sound of the 1970s.

The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Shanika stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.

How old are people named Shanika?

The median living Shanika is about 40 years old; half are between 35 and 45. An estimated 5,500 people named Shanika are alive in the United States today.

median 40 020406080100

Estimated from births per year and Social Security period life tables; an approximation of the living age distribution, by age in years.

Shanika year by year

Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.

Year Girls Girls rank Boys Boys rank
2025 – – – –
2024 9 #10,973 – –
2023 – – – –
2022 – – – –
2021 – – – –
2020 – – – –
2019 – – – –
2018 – – – –
2017 – – – –
2016 5 #18,457 – –
2015 – – – –
2014 – – – –
2013 5 #18,858 – –
2012 – – – –
2011 5 #19,129 – –
2010 10 #11,128 – –
2009 8 #13,499 – –
2008 15 #8,464 – –
2007 16 #8,032 – –
2006 8 #13,426 – –
2005 15 #7,842 – –
2004 15 #7,776 – –
2003 15 #7,523 – –
2002 9 #10,954 – –
2001 21 #5,539 – –
2000 28 #4,383 – –
1995 105 #1,506 – –
1990 288 #727 – –
1985 269 #672 – –
1980 262 #672 – –
1975 106 #1,109 – –
1970 8 #6,255 – –
1965 – – – –
1960 – – – –
1955 – – – –
1950 – – – –
1945 – – – –
1940 – – – –
1935 – – – –
1930 – – – –
1925 – – – –
1920 – – – –
1915 – – – –
1910 – – – –
1905 – – – –
1900 – – – –
1895 – – – –
1890 – – – –
1885 – – – –
1880 – – – –

Frequently asked questions

Quick answers about Shanika, drawn from the same Social Security data as the charts above.

How old is the average Shanika?

The median living Shanika is about 40 years old. Half of all living Shanikas are between 35 and 45 years old.

How many people named Shanika are alive today?

An estimated 5,500 people named Shanika are alive in the United States, based on 5,610 recorded births and Social Security life tables.

What does the name Shanika mean?

From Sinhalese ශානිකා (śānikā).

How popular is the name Shanika in 2025?

Shanika did not appear in the 2025 Social Security data, which means fewer than five babies received the name that year.

How many people are named Shanika?

5,610 babies have been named Shanika in the United States since 1970, based on Social Security card applications.

When was the name Shanika most popular?

Shanika peaked in 1979, when 410 newborns received the name.

Is Shanika a boy or girl name?

Shanika is overwhelmingly a girl's name: 100% of babies with the name.

Is the name Shanika rising or falling?

Shanika is on the rise, noticeably more popular now than a decade ago.

Names like Shanika

Names that sound and feel close to Shanika: shared sounds, similar era, similar popularity. Each links to its full history.

Compare Shanika with similar names → More names starting with S →