UK girl's name
Shanika
A feminine name of Sanskrit origin meaning "bringing happiness and peace".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2016. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Shanika is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Shanika popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2016 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4763, with 4 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 1997, with 11 births.
This profile covers 106 England and Wales registrations across 17 recorded years from 1996 to 2016. 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 36% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 105 living people in the UK are called Shanika. 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 2017 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Shanika ranked #4763 for girls in England and Wales in 2016, with 4 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 1997, when 11 girls were registered as Shanika.
- • About 105 living people in the UK are estimated to have Shanika as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#4763
2016
Births in 2016
4
Latest year
Peak year
1997
11 births
Estimated living
105
2026
Meaning
What does Shanika mean?
The name Shanika is believed to have originated from the Sanskrit language, which was spoken in ancient India. It is a combination of two Sanskrit words, "shani" meaning Saturn, the planet associated with patience and perseverance, and "ka" which is a diminutive suffix. Therefore, the name Shanika translates to "little one associated with Saturn."
This name has its roots in Hindu mythology, where Saturn is revered as a powerful celestial being. It is thought that parents may have chosen this name for their daughters in the hope that they would possess the qualities of determination and resilience associated with the planet Saturn.
The earliest recorded use of the name Shanika can be traced back to ancient Indian texts and scriptures from the 5th century BCE. One notable reference is found in the Mahabharata, a Sanskrit epic poem, where a character named Shanika is mentioned as a skilled warrior and advisor to the Pandava princes.
Throughout history, there have been several notable individuals who bore the name Shanika. One of the earliest recorded was Shanika Devi (c. 810-890 CE), a renowned Indian mathematician and astronomer who made significant contributions to the field of trigonometry.
Another notable figure was Shanika Bai (1548-1613), a powerful queen and ruler of the Maratha Empire in India. She is remembered for her strategic military leadership and her efforts in expanding the empire's territories.
In the realm of literature, Shanika Raizada (1928-2003) was a celebrated Indian poet and writer who authored several acclaimed works and received numerous literary awards during her lifetime.
Shifting to the performing arts, Shanika Jayasuriya (1962-) is a prominent Sri Lankan actress and singer who has appeared in numerous films and stage productions, earning critical acclaim for her versatile performances.
Lastly, Shanika Amerasinghe (1979-) is a notable Sri Lankan cricketer who played for the national women's cricket team and was part of the squad that won the Asia Cup in 2008.
While the name Shanika has its origins in ancient Sanskrit and Hindu culture, it has transcended geographical boundaries and gained popularity in various parts of the world, with individuals from different backgrounds and cultures embracing this name for its unique meaning and historical significance.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Shanika over time
The chart below shows babies named Shanika registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1996 to 2016. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Shanika, the clearest high point is 1997. The latest England and Wales figure is 4 births in 2016, compared with 11 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Shanika by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Shanika 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 | #4445 | 15 | 3 |
| 2000s | #3027 | 60 | 10 |
| 1990s | #2172 | 31 | 4 |
Related
Names similar to Shanika
- Sophie 103,803
- Sophia 46,936
- Scarlett 34,261
- Sienna 32,418
- Sofia 29,136
- Sarah 27,961
- Shannon 25,510
- Summer 24,167
- Sara 14,205
- Skye 13,654
- Samantha 12,697
- Stephanie 9,309
FAQ
Shanika: questions and answers
How popular is the name Shanika in the UK right now?
In 2016, Shanika was ranked #4763 for girls in England and Wales, with 4 births registered.
When was Shanika most popular?
The peak year on record was 1997, with 11 babies registered as Shanika in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Shanika?
A feminine name of Sanskrit origin meaning "bringing happiness and peace".
How many people are called Shanika in the UK?
A total of 106 babies have been registered as Shanika across the 17 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.