Anjali

Girl Name #2,441 Most Popular Hidden Gem 3 Syllables

Named for the sacred namaste gesture—a living offering

Indian Hindu South Asian Nepali Sri Lankan

Elegant Spiritual Classic Gentle Sophisticated

Meaning & Origin

"offering, divine tribute"

Origin: Sanskrit

Language: English

"the namaste gesture, palms pressed in prayer"

Origin: Sanskrit

Language: Sanskrit

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.

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

Famous People Named Anjali

Anjali (Tamil actress)

Actor

1986

Indian actress in Tamil, Telugu, and Malayalam cinema known for her versatile roles including in Settai and Masss

Anjali Bhimani

Actor

American actress and voice actor known for voicing Symmetra in the video game Overwatch

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

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

Anja #3277

Common Nicknames

Anju Anji Angi

Pairs Well With

Anjali Priya Anjali Devi Anjali Radha Anjali Meera Anjali Lakshmi Anjali Kavya Anjali Nandini

Sibling Names

Arjun Rohan Kavya Priya Rishi Ananya Kiran

Similar Names

Angie Angeline Angelina Angelica Angel Angeli Anela Angely

Playground Safety

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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.

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.