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Home › Baby Names Directory › Shanta

Shanta

♀ Girl

Pronounced SHAHN-tuh /ˈʃɑːn.tə/High

Meaning: A coined African-American name of the 1970s (in the Shan- family); it also matches the Sanskrit shanta, 'peaceful, calm.' Its American use belongs to that era's naming movement.Medium

In 30 seconds: Shanta is a 1970s coinage that also echoes Sanskrit shanta, 'peaceful, calm' (said 'SHAHN-tuh').
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Origin MediumAmerican, Sanskrit
MeaningA coined African-American name of the 1970s (in the Shan- family); it also matches the Sanskrit shanta, 'peaceful, calm.' Its American use belongs to that era's naming movement.
U.S. rank (2014)#18819 ↘ Falling
2014 U.S. births5 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)
Peak year1978
Total births (all-time)≈ 5,112

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 197819582014

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

Shanta is a coined American name of the 1970s naming movement, in the Shan- family; by chance it also matches the Sanskrit shanta, 'peaceful, calm.' It crested around 1978 and has since grown uncommon, now a vintage coinage.

Given to several hundred girls a year at its height, Shanta now reads as a retro late-1970s name.

Did you know? Shanta peaked around 1978, an African-American coinage that happens to match the Sanskrit word for 'peaceful.'
Overall data confidence 60%
References — Shanta — 1970s coinage; also Sanskrit shanta 'peaceful'

Variations

ShanteShantaeShanti

Nicknames

ShanShanti

Famous Bearers

  • Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Shanta…

Shanice— a like Shan- coinage
Latoya— a like 1970s coinage
Shanae— a like Shan- name of the period
Shonta— another vintage pick
Shaunta— shares Shanta's American roots

Explore names like Shanta

By themecoinagevintageafrican-american1970s

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does the name Shanta mean?

Shanta is a coined African-American name of the 1970s; it also matches the Sanskrit shanta, 'peaceful, calm.'

How do you pronounce Shanta?

It's said SHAHN-tuh /ˈʃɑːn.tə/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Shanta a boy or girl name?

Shanta is used as a girl's name.

Is Shanta making a comeback?

Not notably — it's a late-nineteen-seventies coinage that has been uncommon since, a vintage name of that decade.

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