"peace, tranquility"
Origin: Sanskrit
Language: Hindi/Sanskrit
Shanti
Pronunciation: [ sh-ANT-ee ]
Does Shanti flow with your last name?
Sanskrit for peace, a meditation on tranquility
Indian
Hindu
Buddhist
Spiritual
Spiritual
Gentle
Earthy
Elegant
Whimsical
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Nicknames
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Meaning & Origin
"cessation of suffering, inner calm"
Origin: Pali/Buddhist
Language: Pali
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Things to Know About This Name
- Shanty (slightly different spelling/pronunciation) means a small rough dwelling or a type of sailor song — may invite confusion or jokes
The Story of Shanti
Shanti comes from the Sanskrit word shanti meaning peace, tranquility, or calm. It is one of the most sacred words in Hindu and Buddhist traditions, chanted at the end of prayers and mantras three times — Shanti, Shanti, Shanti — to invoke peace in the body, mind, and spirit, and to bring peace to the three worlds (earth, atmosphere, and sky). The word appears throughout the Upanishads and Vedic texts as a fundamental spiritual aspiration.
Shanti has been used as a given name in India for centuries, and began appearing in Western countries during the yoga and meditation boom of the 1960s-1970s. It remains beloved in Indian communities worldwide and has also gained appeal among families drawn to spiritual, Sanskrit-origin names — part of a broader trend embracing names from non-European traditions.
In Hindu tradition, shanti is not merely the absence of conflict but a positive state of inner peace and cosmic harmony. The threefold repetition Shanti Shanti Shanti appears in the Upanishads and is chanted to remove obstacles from three planes of existence. T.S. Eliot famously ended his poem The Waste Land with the word Shantih three times, drawing on this tradition.
Historical Record
Shanti first appeared in US Social Security records in 1966.
Over 1,874 babies have been named Shanti in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Shanti is past its peak , currently ranked #6,393 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- T.S. Eliot concluded his masterpiece The Waste Land (1922) with Shantih shantih shantih, referencing the Upanishadic peace chant
- In yoga and meditation traditions, Om Shanti is one of the most widely used closing mantras worldwide
- The word shanti appears in over 200 places in the ancient Sanskrit texts of the Upanishads
Shanti in Other Languages
Pali
Santi
Hindi
शांति
Tamil
சாந்தி
Bengali
শান্তি
Sanskrit
शान्ति
Popularity Over Time
#6,393
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
Peaked 1980
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Shanti
S
Shanti Devi
Religious
1926
Indian woman who became famous for allegedly remembering her past life in detail, subject of extensive research in the 1...
Indian woman who became famous for allegedly remembering her past life in detail, subject of extensive research in the 1930s
S
Shanti (The Jungle Book) Fictional
Other
The girl from the village who lures Mowgli away from the jungle with her song in Disney The Jungle Book (1967 and 2016)
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See all →Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #6,393
- Total SSA Count
- 19
- Cultural Origins
- Indian Hindu Buddhist Spiritual
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Shan
Shanty
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, spiritual style, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, earthy style, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, elegant style, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, elegant style, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Shanti
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Boy Name
Shanti is also used as a boy name, ranked #28532.
View Shanti as a boy name →Similar Names
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Frequently Asked Questions About Shanti
What does the name Shanti mean?
"peace, tranquility" (from Sanskrit). "cessation of suffering, inner calm" (from Pali/Buddhist). Shanti comes from the Sanskrit word shanti meaning peace, tranquility, or calm. It is one of the most sacred words in Hindu and Buddhist traditions, chanted at the end of prayers and mantras three times — Shanti, Shanti, Shanti — to invoke peace in the body, mind, and spirit, and to bring peace to the three worlds (earth, atmosphere, and sky). The word appears throughout the Upanishads and Vedic texts as a fundamental spiritual aspiration.
What is the origin of the name Shanti?
Shanti has Sanskrit, Pali/Buddhist, Indian, Hindu, Buddhist, and Spiritual origins. In Sanskrit, it means "peace, tranquility". In Pali/Buddhist, it means "cessation of suffering, inner calm".
Is Shanti a boy or girl name?
Shanti is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #6393. As a boy name, it is ranked #28532. Shanti is more commonly used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Shanti?
Shanti is pronounced sh-ANT-ee.
How popular is the name Shanti?
Shanti is currently ranked #6393 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Shanti?
Common nicknames for Shanti include Shan and Shanty.
What are good middle names for Shanti?
Popular middle name pairings include Shanti Priya, Shanti Rose, Shanti Grace, Shanti Maya, Shanti Devi, Shanti Ananya, and Shanti Om.
What are good sibling names for Shanti?
Names that pair well with Shanti as siblings include Maya, Ananya, Priya, Arjun, Devan, Kiran, Surya, and Puja.
How many syllables does Shanti have?
Shanti has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Shanti a common or rare name?
Shanti is an uncommon name, ranked #6393 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What girl names are similar to Shanti?
About the Name Shanti
Shanti is a girl name with Indian, Hindu, Buddhist, and Spiritual origins . The name means "peace, tranquility" in Sanskrit .
Is Shanti a boy or girl name? Shanti is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #6,393 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #28,532. Shanti is more commonly used as a girl name.
Shanti is currently ranked #6,393 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Shanti has 2 syllables and is pronounced sh-ANT-ee, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Shanti include Shan and Shanty. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Shanti include Shannon, Shanaya, Shania, Shanvi, Shana . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis