Given name · also Sanskrit
Shakti
“a divine woman; having power”·“a powerful man”
Shakti is used as a given name. Interpretations include “a divine woman; having power” (Indian) and “a powerful man” (Indian). These may reflect different naming traditions.
Meaning & origin
What it means
Interpretations include “a divine woman; having power” (Indian) and “a powerful man” (Indian). These may reflect different naming traditions.
Where it comes from
An origin associated with this spelling is Sanskrit.
How it developed
The name draws on Sanskrit śakti, meaning “power, faculty”.
The story
Published U.S. birth records include this spelling as early as 1987. This is the earliest published observation available here, rather than a date for the name’s origin.
From dated birth records
Shakti through the years
- Babies since 1880
- 233
- 11 boys · 222 girls
- Most popular year
- 2025
- 22 babies
- 2025
- 22
- #5,687 for girls
- 2021–25 vs 2016–20
- +12%
- Rising
Where it’s given
By the numbers
In 2025, this name appeared in 22 U.S. birth records for girls, ranking No. 5,687 among girls’ names. Average annual use for girls was 23.0% higher in 2021–2025 than in 2016–2020. In 2025, California had the largest reported state-level birth count for girls with this name (5). Published U.S. population figures for this spelling include 486 as a first name in 2020.
From Social Security birth records and U.S. Census name counts for this exact spelling. Other spellings are counted separately.
Shakti’s family of names
Shakti has a related form in Shaktea. Shakti has a related form in Shaktee. Shakti has a related form in Shaktey.
The ring: nicknames and forms.
Nicknames & forms 6
Diminutives, pet forms, short forms and variants used alongside the name.
People named Shakti
- Shakti MohanIndian dancer, film choreographer, and television personalityborn 1985
- Shakti GauchanNepalese cricketerborn 1984
- Shakti ChattopadhyayIndian writer (1933–1995)
- Shakti Gawainauthor (1948–2018)
- Shakti Raj PariharIndian politicianborn 2000
Listed by how widely each person is written about, which says nothing about the name itself.
Similar names
If you love Shakti, these share its style, era, origin or sound, from outside its own family.
Sajni
“one who is dearly loved”
>99% girls
Sadaf
“resembling a pearl” · “resembling a seashell”
>99% girls
Shanti
“one who is peaceful; tranquil”
>99% girls
Sahiba
“a young lady; a maiden”
>99% girls
Sakina
“a beloved friend” · “having God-inspired peace of mind”
>99% girls
Kashvi
“a shining man”
>99% girls
Meenakshi
“having beautiful eyes”
>99% girls
Tulsi
“a holy man”
>99% girls