Shanika
From Sinhalese ශානිකා (śānikā).
Every Shanika since 1970 — 5,610 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
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.
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
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.