NameCensus.

UK girl's name

Dharshini

A feminine name of Indian origin meaning "beam of light".

For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2014. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.

Dharshini is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Dharshini popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2014 in this profile. In that release it ranked #5691, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 1996, with 3 births.

This profile covers 6 England and Wales registrations across 2 recorded years from 1996 to 2014. The figures come from ONS England and Wales, so the page is a view of published baby-name registrations rather than a forecast or a live count of people using the name today.

The latest count is about 100% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.

We estimate that about 6 living people in the UK are called Dharshini. This uses published birth registrations from England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, then applies ONS national life tables to estimate how many are likely still alive. It does not forecast extra births for 2015 or 2026.

Key insights

  • Dharshini ranked #5691 for girls in England and Wales in 2014, with 3 registrations.
  • The name peaked in 1996, when 3 girls were registered as Dharshini.
  • About 6 living people in the UK are estimated to have Dharshini as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.

Latest rank (E&W)

#5691

2014

Births in 2014

3

Latest year

Peak year

1996

3 births

Estimated living

6

2026

Meaning

What does Dharshini mean?

The name Dharshini has its origins in Sanskrit, an ancient Indo-Aryan language that originated in the Indian subcontinent. It is derived from the Sanskrit word "dharsha," which means "brave" or "courageous." The name was likely coined during the ancient Vedic period, which spanned from around 1500 BCE to 600 BCE, when Sanskrit literature and scriptures were composed.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Dharshini can be found in the Hindu epic Mahabharata, which is believed to have been composed between the 8th and 4th centuries BCE. In the epic, Dharshini is mentioned as the name of a female warrior and skilled archer. This reference suggests that the name was associated with bravery and strength from its inception.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Dharshini. One of the earliest recorded examples is Dharshini Devi, a Hindu queen who ruled the Kingdom of Mithila in present-day Bihar, India, during the 6th century CE. She was renowned for her courage and military prowess, leading her armies into battle against invading forces.

Another prominent figure was Dharshini Bhatta, a renowned Sanskrit scholar and poet who lived in the 9th century CE. She was widely respected for her knowledge of Hindu philosophy and literature, and her works were widely studied in academic circles.

In the 12th century, Dharshini Sundari was a celebrated courtesan and poet in the court of the Pala Empire in ancient Bengal. Her poetry, which often explored themes of love and desire, was highly regarded and influential during her time.

Moving forward to the 16th century, Dharshini Bai was a skilled warrior and military commander who served under the Mughal Emperor Akbar. She was known for her bravery on the battlefield and her unwavering loyalty to the Mughal Empire.

In more recent times, Dharshini Murugan was a prominent Indian freedom fighter and social activist who played a significant role in the Indian independence movement during the early 20th century. She was born in 1898 and dedicated her life to the cause of Indian nationalism and the empowerment of women.

While the name Dharshini has its roots in Sanskrit and Hindu culture, it has transcended these origins and is now used across various cultures and communities, particularly in India and other parts of South Asia. Throughout its long history, the name has been associated with bravery, strength, and a spirit of courage, reflecting the enduring legacy of its Sanskrit origins.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

Popularity

Dharshini over time

The chart below shows babies named Dharshini registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1996 to 2014. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.

For Dharshini, the clearest high point is 1996. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2014, compared with 3 at the peak.

Babies born per year

Dharshini
01223199620052014

Decades

Dharshini by decade

Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Dharshini was a short-lived spike or a name that stayed in regular use. Average rank is calculated only from years where a published rank exists.

Decade Average rank Total births Years covered
2010s #5691 3 1
1990s #3795 3 1

Related

Names similar to Dharshini

FAQ

Dharshini: questions and answers

How popular is the name Dharshini in the UK right now?

In 2014, Dharshini was ranked #5691 for girls in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.

When was Dharshini most popular?

The peak year on record was 1996, with 3 babies registered as Dharshini in England and Wales.

What is the meaning and origin of Dharshini?

A feminine name of Indian origin meaning "beam of light".

How many people are called Dharshini in the UK?

A total of 6 babies have been registered as Dharshini across the 2 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here.

Which records is this page based on?

The England and Wales timeline uses ONS baby-name records. Scotland figures come from NRS and Northern Ireland figures come from NISRA. Counts are registrations in published baby-name files. The living estimate uses those birth registrations with ONS national life tables.