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Santosha
How to Pronounce Santosha
Pronounced sun-TOH-shuh /sʌnˈtoʊ.ʃə/Medium
Meaning: Santosha comes from Sanskrit santosha, 'contentment' or 'satisfaction,' one of the niyamas (observances) in classical yoga. As an American given name it carries that meaning directly, sometimes also read as a coined -osha name.Low
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
Santosha comes from Sanskrit santosha, 'contentment,' one of the niyamas or ethical observances of classical yoga. Its arrival as a United States given name from around 1970 fits the era's growing interest in Eastern philosophy. It reached a faint high in 1973 and was among the rarest names of its moment, given to only a handful of girls a year.
A girl named Santosha then would be in her fifties now. The name carries a genuine, peaceful meaning and reads as a product of the early-1970s spiritual moment; it never spread widely and has not revived, though its calm sense gives it quiet appeal.
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Frequently Asked
What does the name Santosha mean?
It comes from Sanskrit santosha, 'contentment,' one of the niyamas of classical yoga.
How do you pronounce Santosha?
It's said sun-TOH-shuh /sʌnˈtoʊ.ʃə/, three syllables.
Is Santosha a boy or girl name?
Santosha is used as a girl's name.
How popular is Santosha?
It has always been very rare, given to only a handful of girls a year at its peak.