Shanta: Name Popularity, History & Rankings (1880

Rank 2025

–

among girls

Babies in 2025

named Shanta

How common

–

girls born in 2025

Peak year

1978

378 babies

All-time total

5,254

#2,540 all-time among girls

First recorded

1958

in Social Security records

Shanta popularity over time

5,254 babies have been named Shanta since 1958, 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

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	5	–	5	1	–	#6,858
1960s	302	–	302	30	+5940%	#1,350
1970s	1,985	92	2,077	208	+588%	#518
1980s	2,026	50	2,076	208	0%	#670
1990s	646	–	646	65	-69%	#1,252
2000s	129	–	129	13	-80%	#5,666
2010s	19	–	19	2	-85%	#14,611
2020s (to 2025)	–	–	–	–	–	–

The story of Shanta

Shanta 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 1958, 5,254 American babies have been named Shanta. Its peak came in 1978, when 378 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 Shanta stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.

How old are people named Shanta?

The median living Shanta is about 44 years old; half are between 38 and 49. An estimated 5,100 people named Shanta are alive in the United States today.

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

Shanta 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	–	–	–	–
2023	–	–	–	–
2022	–	–	–	–
2021	–	–	–	–
2020	–	–	–	–
2019	–	–	–	–
2018	–	–	–	–
2017	–	–	–	–
2016	–	–	–	–
2015	–	–	–	–
2014	5	#18,820	–	–
2013	–	–	–	–
2012	–	–	–	–
2011	7	#14,611	–	–
2010	7	#14,728	–	–
2009	7	#14,995	–	–
2008	11	#10,684	–	–
2007	9	#12,508	–	–
2006	6	#16,792	–	–
2005	12	#9,364	–	–
2004	17	#7,035	–	–
2003	15	#7,524	–	–
2002	16	#6,996	–	–
2001	16	#6,917	–	–
2000	20	#5,666	–	–
1995	53	#2,451	–	–
1990	132	#1,252	–	–
1985	237	#730	6	#6,407
1980	264	#670	10	#4,084
1975	167	#820	7	#4,712
1970	100	#1,164	–	–
1965	32	#2,108	–	–
1960	13	#3,656	–	–
1955	–	–	–	–
1950	–	–	–	–
1945	–	–	–	–
1940	–	–	–	–
1935	–	–	–	–
1930	–	–	–	–
1925	–	–	–	–
1920	–	–	–	–
1915	–	–	–	–
1910	–	–	–	–
1905	–	–	–	–
1900	–	–	–	–
1895	–	–	–	–
1890	–	–	–	–
1885	–	–	–	–
1880	–	–	–	–

Frequently asked questions

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

How old is the average Shanta?

The median living Shanta is about 44 years old. Half of all living Shantas are between 38 and 49 years old.

How many people named Shanta are alive today?

An estimated 5,100 people named Shanta are alive in the United States, based on 5,254 recorded births and Social Security life tables.

What does the name Shanta mean?

Shanta is a given name. Notable people with the name include:Shanta Apte (1916–1964), Indian singer and actress Shanta Gandhi (1917–2002), Indian theatre director Shanta Gokhale, Indian writer Shanta Kumar, Indian politician Shant

How popular is the name Shanta in 2025?

Shanta 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 Shanta?

5,254 babies have been named Shanta in the United States since 1958, based on Social Security card applications.

When was the name Shanta most popular?

Shanta peaked in 1978, when 378 newborns received the name.

Is Shanta a boy or girl name?

Shanta is overwhelmingly a girl's name: 97% of babies with the name.

Is the name Shanta rising or falling?

Shanta is declining, less popular now than a decade ago.

Names like Shanta

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

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