Neha

♀ Girl

Pronounced NEH-hah /ˈnɛ.hɑ/Medium

Meaning: From Sanskrit/Hindi neha, 'love, affection, tenderness'; also 'rain, gentle drizzle'Medium

In 30 seconds: Love; affection: Neha is Sanskrit/Hindi for 'love, affection' (and 'gentle rain'). Soft, sweet, and warm (said 'NEH-hah').

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Origin MediumSanskrit

MeaningFrom Sanskrit/Hindi neha, 'love, affection, tenderness'; also 'rain, gentle drizzle'

U.S. rank (2025)#5662 ↗ Rising

2025 U.S. births22 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)

Peak year2004

Total births (all-time)≈ 4,351

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

Neha comes from Sanskrit/Hindi neha, 'love, affection, tenderness, fondness' — and also 'rain, a gentle drizzle'. A soft, sweet, hugely popular modern Indian girls' name (the singer Neha Kakkar; said 'NEH-hah').

In the U.S. it appears in South Asian families. Rare, love-and-affection at the root, and sweet.

Did you know? Neha means 'love, affection, tenderness' in Sanskrit and Hindi — and 'rain, a gentle drizzle' — a soft, sweet, hugely popular Indian name (the singer Neha Kakkar; said 'NEH-hah').

Overall data confidence 75%

Sanskrit/Hindi references — neha — etymology

Variations

NehaaNiha

Nicknames

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Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Neha…

Riya— a fellow popular Indian girls' name

Isha— a companion modern Sanskrit girls' name

Naisha— shares the -ha ending

Nisha— shares the -ha ending

Asha— echoes that soft -ha sound

Explore names like Neha

By themesanskrit virtue hindu

By meaningLove Gentle / Kind

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Neha mean?

Neha is Sanskrit/Hindi for 'love, affection, tenderness' (also 'gentle rain').

How do you pronounce Neha?

It's said NEH-hah /ˈnɛ.hɑ/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Neha a boy or girl name?

Neha is a girl's name.

How popular is Neha?

Neha is a rare name in the U.S.