UK girl's name
Shanita
A feminine name of uncertain origin, possibly derived from Shani meaning "moon" in Sanskrit.
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2002. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Shanita is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Shanita popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2002 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4137, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 1997, with 3 births.
This profile covers 6 England and Wales registrations across 2 recorded years from 1997 to 2002. 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 Shanita. 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 2003 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Shanita ranked #4137 for girls in England and Wales in 2002, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 1997, when 3 girls were registered as Shanita.
- • About 6 living people in the UK are estimated to have Shanita as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#4137
2002
Births in 2002
3
Latest year
Peak year
1997
3 births
Estimated living
6
2026
Meaning
What does Shanita mean?
The name Shanita has its origins in Sanskrit, an ancient Indo-Aryan language that served as the root for many modern Indian languages. It is derived from the Sanskrit word "shanti," which means peace, tranquility, or calmness. This suggests that the name Shanita was initially used to convey a sense of serenity or a peaceful disposition.
While the exact time period of the name's origin is uncertain, it is believed to have emerged in ancient India, where Sanskrit was the predominant language of literature, philosophy, and religion. The name may have been used by Hindu families or communities who valued the concept of inner peace and sought to instill these qualities in their children.
Historically, there are no specific references to the name Shanita in major ancient texts or religious scriptures. However, its connection to the Sanskrit word "shanti" aligns with the principles of Hinduism, Buddhism, and other Eastern philosophies that emphasize the importance of achieving inner peace and harmony.
The earliest recorded instances of the name Shanita are found in historical documents and records from various Indian regions, particularly in the northern and central parts of the subcontinent. Unfortunately, precise dates are difficult to pinpoint due to the scarcity of comprehensive name records from ancient times.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Shanita. One example is Shanita Ghosh (1889-1976), an Indian writer and social activist who advocated for women's rights and education. Another is Shanita Zaman (born 1951), a Bangladeshi architect and artist known for her contributions to sustainable design and environmental awareness.
In the field of music, Shanita Hubbard (born 1980) is an American singer and songwriter who has released several albums and contributed to various musical projects. Shanita Ricketts (born 1986) is a Jamaican track and field athlete who has represented her country in international competitions, specializing in sprinting events.
Lastly, Shanita Akintonde (born 1993) is a Nigerian-American basketball player who has played professionally in various leagues, including the WNBA and overseas teams, showcasing her skills on the court.
These individuals, from diverse backgrounds and fields, have carried the name Shanita throughout history, each leaving their unique mark and embodying the essence of peace and tranquility that the name represents.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Shanita over time
The chart below shows babies named Shanita registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1997 to 2002. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Shanita, the clearest high point is 1997. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2002, compared with 3 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Shanita by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Shanita 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 | #4137 | 3 | 1 |
| 1990s | #3824 | 3 | 1 |
Related
Names similar to Shanita
- 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
Shanita: questions and answers
How popular is the name Shanita in the UK right now?
In 2002, Shanita was ranked #4137 for girls in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Shanita most popular?
The peak year on record was 1997, with 3 babies registered as Shanita in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Shanita?
A feminine name of uncertain origin, possibly derived from Shani meaning "moon" in Sanskrit.
How many people are called Shanita in the UK?
A total of 6 babies have been registered as Shanita 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.