UK girl's name
Shivani
A feminine name of Hindu origin meaning "benevolent" or "kind".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2024. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Shivani is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Shivani popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #3015, with 8 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 1997, with 99 births.
This profile covers 942 England and Wales registrations across 29 recorded years from 1996 to 2024. 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 8% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 936 living people in the UK are called Shivani. 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 2025 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Shivani ranked #3015 for girls in England and Wales in 2024, with 8 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 1997, when 99 girls were registered as Shivani.
- • About 936 living people in the UK are estimated to have Shivani as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#3015
2024
Births in 2024
8
Latest year
Peak year
1997
99 births
Estimated living
936
2026
Meaning
What does Shivani mean?
The name Shivani is of Indian origin, derived from the Sanskrit word "Shiva," which means "auspicious" or "the giver of auspiciousness." It is a feminine name that has been popular in the Hindu culture for centuries.
The name Shivani is believed to have its roots in the ancient Hindu traditions and mythology. The name is closely associated with Lord Shiva, one of the principal deities in Hinduism and known as the "Destroyer" in the Trimurti (the three main deities of Hinduism). It is possible that the name Shivani was initially given to girls born on auspicious occasions or during festivals dedicated to Lord Shiva.
In ancient Hindu scriptures, such as the Puranas and the Upanishads, there are references to various characters and entities with names that incorporate the word "Shiva." However, it is difficult to pinpoint the exact origin of the name Shivani or the earliest recorded use of this specific form.
Throughout history, there have been several notable individuals bearing the name Shivani. One of the earliest recorded examples is Shivani Devi, a 16th-century Rajput princess from the princely state of Marwar (present-day Rajasthan, India). She is remembered for her bravery and sacrifice during the siege of Chitor in 1567.
Another renowned figure with the name Shivani is Shivani Ganesan (1932-2002), an Indian classical dancer and choreographer. She was instrumental in reviving and promoting the Bharatanatyam dance form and received numerous accolades, including the Padma Bhushan, one of India's highest civilian honors.
Shivani Rajput (born 1973) is an Indian actress who has appeared in numerous Bollywood films and television shows. She is known for her roles in popular movies like "Hum Aapke Hain Koun..!" and "Dil To Pagal Hai."
Shivani Shivaji Roy (born 1942) is an Indian author and academic who has written extensively on topics related to gender, culture, and literature. She received the Sahitya Akademi Award, one of India's highest literary honors, for her novel "Chaudhurani" in 2010.
Shivani Kapoor (born 1992) is an Indian classical dancer and choreographer who has gained recognition for her performances and contributions to the preservation of Indian classical dance forms.
While the name Shivani has its roots in ancient Hindu traditions, it continues to be a popular choice among modern Indian families, transcending religious and cultural boundaries.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Shivani over time
The chart below shows babies named Shivani registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1996 to 2024. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Shivani, the clearest high point is 1997. The latest England and Wales figure is 8 births in 2024, compared with 99 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Shivani by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Shivani 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020s | #3036 | 38 | 5 |
| 2010s | #1810 | 188 | 10 |
| 2000s | #864 | 364 | 10 |
| 1990s | #376 | 352 | 4 |
Notable bearers
Famous people named Shivani
-
Shivani Raja
politician
British politician, from 2024, member of the UK Parliament
1994-
Related
Names similar to Shivani
- 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
Shivani: questions and answers
How popular is the name Shivani in the UK right now?
In 2024, Shivani was ranked #3015 for girls in England and Wales, with 8 births registered.
When was Shivani most popular?
The peak year on record was 1997, with 99 babies registered as Shivani in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Shivani?
A feminine name of Hindu origin meaning "benevolent" or "kind".
How many people are called Shivani in the UK?
A total of 942 babies have been registered as Shivani across the 29 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.