UK girl's name
Nandika
A feminine name of Indian origin meaning "the one who gives joy".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2012. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Nandika is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Nandika popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2012 in this profile. In that release it ranked #2717, with 9 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2012, with 9 births.
This profile covers 18 England and Wales registrations across 4 recorded years from 2008 to 2012. 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.
Nandika is at its recorded peak in the England and Wales series.
We estimate that about 18 living people in the UK are called Nandika. 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 2013 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Nandika ranked #2717 for girls in England and Wales in 2012, with 9 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2012, when 9 girls were registered as Nandika.
- • About 18 living people in the UK are estimated to have Nandika as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#2717
2012
Births in 2012
9
Latest year
Peak year
2012
9 births
Estimated living
18
2026
Meaning
What does Nandika mean?
The name Nandika has its origins in Sanskrit, an ancient language that originated in the Indian subcontinent. It is derived from the word "nanda," which means joy, delight, or happiness. The suffix "-ika" is a diminutive form, indicating a sense of endearment or affection.
In ancient Hindu scriptures and texts, Nandika is mentioned as a name for various deities and mythological figures. One notable example is Nandika, the attendant and vehicle of the Hindu god Shiva. She is often depicted as a sacred cow or a bull, symbolizing fertility and maternal love.
The earliest known historical reference to the name Nandika dates back to the 5th century BCE. It was found inscribed on a clay seal from the ancient city of Taxila, located in present-day Pakistan, which was an important center of learning and culture during that time.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Nandika. One of the earliest recorded examples is Nandika, a famous Buddhist monk and scholar who lived in the 5th century CE. He was renowned for his contributions to the study and translation of Buddhist texts from Sanskrit to Chinese.
In the 7th century CE, Nandika was the name of a renowned Sanskrit grammarian and linguist. He authored several treatises on grammar and linguistics, which were widely studied and referenced by scholars of his time.
During the 12th century, Nandika was the name of a prominent Jain monk and philosopher. He was known for his teachings on nonviolence, compassion, and spiritual enlightenment, and his works influenced the Jain community for generations.
In the realm of literature, Nandika was the pen name of a celebrated 16th-century Indian poet from Bengal. Her poetic works, which explored themes of love, devotion, and spirituality, were widely acclaimed and continue to be studied today.
Another notable figure with the name Nandika was a 19th-century Indian freedom fighter and social reformer. He played a significant role in the Indian independence movement and advocated for the education and empowerment of women in society.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Nandika over time
The chart below shows babies named Nandika registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2008 to 2012. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Nandika, the clearest high point is 2012. The latest England and Wales figure is 9 births in 2012, compared with 9 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Nandika by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Nandika 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 | #4212 | 12 | 2 |
| 2000s | #5551 | 6 | 2 |
Related
Names similar to Nandika
- Niamh 20,347
- Nicole 19,687
- Natasha 15,578
- Nancy 12,607
- Naomi 12,199
- Natalie 10,885
- Nevaeh 7,869
- Nina 7,285
- Neve 7,180
- Natalia 7,099
- Nadia 6,032
- Nicola 4,927
FAQ
Nandika: questions and answers
How popular is the name Nandika in the UK right now?
In 2012, Nandika was ranked #2717 for girls in England and Wales, with 9 births registered.
When was Nandika most popular?
The peak year on record was 2012, with 9 babies registered as Nandika in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Nandika?
A feminine name of Indian origin meaning "the one who gives joy".
How many people are called Nandika in the UK?
A total of 18 babies have been registered as Nandika across the 4 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.