"offering, divine tribute"
Origin: Sanskrit
Language: English
Anjali
Does Anjali flow with your last name?
Named for the sacred namaste gesture—a living offering
Indian
Hindu
South Asian
Nepali
Sri Lankan
Elegant
Spiritual
Classic
Gentle
Sophisticated
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Meaning & Origin
"the namaste gesture, palms pressed in prayer"
Origin: Sanskrit
Language: Sanskrit
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The Story of Anjali
Anjali comes from the Sanskrit anjali, the gesture of pressing one's palms together in offering or prayer. The anjali mudra—hands folded in the namaste gesture—is one of the most fundamental gestures in Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain practice, representing reverence, gratitude, and the offering of one's heart. The name thus embodies not just an act but an entire philosophy of humble devotion and grace.
Anjali has been one of the most popular girls' names across India, Nepal, and the Indian diaspora worldwide for decades. It consistently ranks among the top girl names in India and remains beloved among second and third-generation South Asian families globally who want to preserve cultural heritage.
The anjali mudra (prayer gesture) is so central to South Asian religious and social life that naming a child Anjali is essentially naming her after devotion itself. In Hindu tradition, making an anjali—an offering to the divine—is one of the most basic acts of worship, giving this name profound spiritual resonance.
Historical Record
Anjali first appeared in US Social Security records in 1964.
Over 5,756 babies have been named Anjali in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Anjali is past its peak , currently ranked #2,441 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- The anjali mudra (hands pressed together) is used across Hindu, Buddhist, Jain, and Yoga traditions as a gesture of greeting, respect, and prayer
- Anjali is consistently one of the top 5 most popular girls' names in India and ranks among the most common names in the Indian diaspora worldwide
Anjali in Other Languages
Hindi
अंजलि
Tamil
அஞ்சலி
Nepali
अञ्जलि
Bengali
অঞ্জলি
English
Anjali
Sanskrit
अञ्जलि
Popularity Over Time
#2,441
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
Peaked 2000
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Anjali
A
Anjali (Tamil actress)
Actor
1986
Indian actress in Tamil, Telugu, and Malayalam cinema known for her versatile roles including in Settai and Masss
A
Anjali Bhimani
Actor
American actress and voice actor known for voicing Symmetra in the video game Overwatch
A
Anjali from Kuch Kuch Hota Hai Fictional
Other
Beloved character in the 1998 Bollywood film Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, played by Kajol, one of the most iconic heroines in Ind...
Beloved character in the 1998 Bollywood film Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, played by Kajol, one of the most iconic heroines in Indian cinema history
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See all →Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 3
- Popularity Rank
- #2,441
- Total SSA Count
- 74
- Cultural Origins
- Indian Hindu South Asian Nepali Sri Lankan
- Pronunciation
- Moderate
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Anju
Anji
Angi
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Classic pairing, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, Indian heritage match, balanced 3-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, elegant style, balanced 3-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, classic style, balanced 3-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Anjali
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Frequently Asked Questions About Anjali
What does the name Anjali mean?
"offering, divine tribute" (from Sanskrit). "the namaste gesture, palms pressed in prayer" (from Sanskrit). Anjali comes from the Sanskrit anjali, the gesture of pressing one's palms together in offering or prayer. The anjali mudra—hands folded in the namaste gesture—is one of the most fundamental gestures in Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain practice, representing reverence, gratitude, and the offering of one's heart. The name thus embodies not just an act but an entire philosophy of humble devotion and grace.
What is the origin of the name Anjali?
Anjali has Sanskrit, Indian, Hindu, South Asian, Nepali, and Sri Lankan origins. In Sanskrit, it means "offering, divine tribute". In Sanskrit, it means "the namaste gesture, palms pressed in prayer".
Is Anjali a boy or girl name?
Anjali is primarily used as a girl name.
How popular is the name Anjali?
Anjali is currently ranked #2441 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Anjali?
Common nicknames for Anjali include Anju, Anji, and Angi.
What are good middle names for Anjali?
Popular middle name pairings include Anjali Priya, Anjali Devi, Anjali Radha, Anjali Meera, Anjali Lakshmi, Anjali Kavya, and Anjali Nandini.
What are good sibling names for Anjali?
Names that pair well with Anjali as siblings include Arjun, Rohan, Kavya, Priya, Rishi, Ananya, and Kiran.
How many syllables does Anjali have?
Anjali has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.
Is Anjali a common or rare name?
Anjali is an uncommon name, ranked #2441 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What girl names are similar to Anjali?
Are there other spellings for Anjali?
Related spellings include Anja.
About the Name Anjali
Anjali is a girl name with Indian, Hindu, South Asian, Nepali, and Sri Lankan origins . The name means "offering, divine tribute" in Sanskrit .
Anjali is currently ranked #2,441 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Anjali has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Anjali include Anju, Anji, and Angi. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Anjali include Anja . 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