Devi

♀ Girl

Pronounced DAY-vee /ˈdeɪ.vi/High

Meaning: Goddess; the Sanskrit title of the supreme Mother Goddess in HinduismHigh

In 30 seconds: Straight from Sanskrit, Devi means 'goddess' — both a name and the grand title of the Hindu Mother Goddess. Short, radiant, and rich with meaning.

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Origin HighSanskrit, Indian

MeaningGoddess; the Sanskrit title of the supreme Mother Goddess in Hinduism

U.S. rank (2025)#3139 ↗ Rising

2025 U.S. births51 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)

Peak year2023

Total births (all-time)≈ 1,016

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Devi is the Sanskrit word for 'goddess', the feminine counterpart of deva, 'god', and both trace to an ancient root meaning 'to shine' — the same root behind Latin deus. In Hinduism, Devi is the great Mother Goddess, worshipped in forms ranging from the fierce Durga to the gentle Parvati.

In India, Devi has long served both as a standalone name and as an honorific added after women's names, a custom seen in figures across Indian public life. Among South Asian families in the U.S. it is a rare but meaningful choice, and television's Never Have I Ever recently introduced the name to a wider American audience.

Did you know? In Hindu tradition every major goddess — Durga, Lakshmi, Saraswati, Parvati — can be addressed simply as Devi, 'the Goddess', as aspects of one divine feminine power.

Overall data confidence 93%

Behind the Name — Devi — etymology

Variations

DevikaDeva

Nicknames

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Famous Bearers

★Devi Vishwakumar (fictional)
The protagonist of the Netflix series Never Have I Ever, played by Maitreyi Ramakrishnan.

If you like Devi…

Priya— a fellow short Sanskrit name widely used in Indian-American families

Asha— another compact Sanskrit name with an uplifting meaning, 'hope'

Kali— a goddess name from the same Hindu tradition

Anvi— a fellow Sanskrit choice

Sanvi— a similarly popular pick

Explore names like Devi

By themesanskrit mythology goddess

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Devi mean?

Devi means 'goddess' in Sanskrit and is the title of the supreme Mother Goddess in Hinduism.

How do you pronounce Devi?

It's said DAY-vee /ˈdeɪ.vi/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Devi a boy or girl name?

Devi is a girl's name; the masculine counterpart is Dev or Deva.

How popular is Devi?

Devi is a rare name in the U.S., used mainly in families with South Asian heritage.