UK boy's name
Shanil
A masculine name with Sanskrit roots meaning "pleased, satisfied".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2001. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Shanil is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Shanil popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2001 in this profile. In that release it ranked #3134, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 1996, with 9 births.
This profile covers 19 England and Wales registrations across 3 recorded years from 1996 to 2001. 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 33% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 19 living people in the UK are called Shanil. 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 2002 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Shanil ranked #3134 for boys in England and Wales in 2001, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 1996, when 9 boys were registered as Shanil.
- • About 19 living people in the UK are estimated to have Shanil as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#3134
2001
Births in 2001
3
Latest year
Peak year
1996
9 births
Estimated living
19
2026
Meaning
What does Shanil mean?
The name Shanil is believed to have originated in South Asia, with its roots likely tracing back to the Sanskrit language. One possible derivation suggests that it is a combination of the Sanskrit words "shani," meaning Saturn, and "il," meaning earth or world. This connection could imply a name meaning something along the lines of "one who is grounded or rooted in the world like the planet Saturn."
Another theory points to the name being derived from the Sanskrit word "shanila," which translates to "rock" or "stone." In this context, Shanil may have been used to describe someone with a strong, unwavering character or a solid, dependable presence.
While the exact origins of the name remain uncertain, it is believed to have been in use in various parts of the Indian subcontinent for centuries. Early references to the name can be found in ancient Hindu texts and scriptures, though specific citations are scarce.
One of the earliest recorded individuals with the name Shanil was a 9th-century Indian mathematician and astronomer from the region of modern-day Gujarat. Known as Shanil Aryabhata, he made significant contributions to the fields of algebra and trigonometry.
In the 12th century, a renowned Indian poet and scholar named Shanil Kalhana authored the historical chronicle "Rajatarangini," which documented the dynasties and rulers of Kashmir.
During the Mughal era in the 16th century, a notable figure named Shanil Khan served as a military commander and governor under the rule of the Mughal Emperor Akbar.
In more recent times, Shanil Jayasinghe was a 20th-century Sri Lankan writer and playwright, born in 1925 and known for his works that explored themes of identity and social issues.
Another individual of note is Shanil Batohi, a South African legal scholar and advocate, born in 1962, who has held various leadership positions in the field of human rights and justice.
While the name Shanil has historical roots in South Asia, it has gained popularity and recognition across various cultures and regions over time, with individuals bearing this name leaving their mark in diverse fields.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Shanil over time
The chart below shows babies named Shanil registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1996 to 2001. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Shanil, the clearest high point is 1996. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2001, compared with 9 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Shanil by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Shanil 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | #3134 | 3 | 1 |
| 1990s | #1490 | 16 | 2 |
Related
Names similar to Shanil
- Samuel 108,505
- Sebastian 33,008
- Sam 20,889
- Stanley 16,354
- Sonny 15,028
- Sean 15,006
- Scott 12,587
- Seth 9,841
- Syed 9,050
- Stephen 8,884
- Spencer 8,333
- Steven 6,970
FAQ
Shanil: questions and answers
How popular is the name Shanil in the UK right now?
In 2001, Shanil was ranked #3134 for boys in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Shanil most popular?
The peak year on record was 1996, with 9 babies registered as Shanil in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Shanil?
A masculine name with Sanskrit roots meaning "pleased, satisfied".
How many people are called Shanil in the UK?
A total of 19 babies have been registered as Shanil across the 3 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.