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Sunita

♀ Girl

Pronounced soo-NEE-tuh /suˈniːtə/Medium

Meaning: Sunita is a Sanskrit name meaning 'well-conducted', 'well-behaved', or 'of good guidance', built from 'su-', good, and 'nita', led or conducted. It is widely used across India and among Indian-American families. The good-conduct sense is well established.Medium

In 30 seconds: Sunita is a Sanskrit name meaning 'well-conducted' or 'well-behaved'. It appeared among Indian-American families, peaking about 1983, and stayed uncommon (said soo-NEE-tuh).

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Origin MediumSanskrit

MeaningSunita is a Sanskrit name meaning 'well-conducted', 'well-behaved', or 'of good guidance', built from 'su-', good, and 'nita', led or conducted. It is widely used across India and among Indian-American families. The good-conduct sense is well established.

U.S. rank (2023)#17322 ↘ Falling

2023 U.S. births5 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)

Peak year1983

Total births (all-time)≈ 609

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

Sunita is a Sanskrit name from su-, 'good', and nita, 'led' or 'conducted', giving the sense 'well-behaved' or 'of good guidance'. Common across India, it appeared in the U.S. mainly with Indian-American families as a heritage name.

It stayed uncommon in the U.S., only a few dozen girls a year at its high around 1983, carried within Indian-American communities, with use continuing into the 2020s. It keeps company with Anita, Sunita and Nita.

Did you know? The astronaut Sunita Williams, who has logged some of the longest spaceflights by a woman, carries this Sanskrit name meaning 'well-conducted'.

Overall data confidence 72%

References — Sunita — Sanskrit su- 'good' + nita 'led'; 'well-conducted'; astronaut Sunita Williams

Variations

SuneetaSunithaSuneta

Nicknames

SuniNita

Famous Bearers

★Sunita Williams (1965–present)
American astronaut of Indian and Slovenian descent, noted for record-setting spaceflight and spacewalk time.

If you like Sunita…

Anita— a like soft -ita girls' name

Nita— the -nita element Sunita shares

Sarita— a same-shape Spanish/Sanskrit -ita name

Kavita— another Sanskrit -ita girls' name

Explore names like Sunita

By themeheritage sanskrit indian

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Sunita mean?

It's a Sanskrit name meaning 'well-conducted', 'well-behaved', or 'of good guidance'.

How do you pronounce Sunita?

It's said soo-NEE-tuh /suˈniːtə/ — three syllables, stress on the second.

Is Sunita a boy or girl name?

Sunita is used as a girl's name.

How popular is Sunita?

Sunita has always been an uncommon, heritage name in the U.S.