Khushbu
A girl's name of Sanskrit origin with 133 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
At 7 letters and two syllables, Khushbu hits the middle ground most parents look for: long enough to feel complete, short enough for everyday use. It has been used as a girl's name in the U.S. since 1986, with 133 total recorded births.
Khushbu is not in the current top 1,000, which means your child is unlikely to share the name with a classmate — a plus for parents who value distinctiveness.
Khushbu is not in the current top 1,000 girl names nationally, making it an uncommon choice — though your state or community may differ.
Khushbu is a girl's baby name of Sanskrit origin, meaning 'fragrance' or 'sweet scent,' from the Sanskrit and Hindi khushbū. A popular name across South Asia, it evokes the intoxicating perfume of flowers and carries a warm, sensory richness.
EtymologyShow more
The ending of a name often carries more etymological information than the beginning. Khushbu's final sounds are open, approachable — ending on a vowel softens the overall impression. In English-language naming, many feminine names end on open vowels or soft consonants, creating a melodic, approachable quality. Khushbu follows that feminine pattern.
Explore the ending-based name pages on this site to find names that share Khushbu's suffix pattern — names with similar endings often share a style and era, even when they come from different linguistic backgrounds.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Khushbu has 16+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1986.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Avg Rank | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 15 | #17411 | ▼ |
| 1990s | 94 | #9662 | ▲ |
| 1980s | 24 | #9743 | — |
The Story of Khushbu
A Millennial name
Peaking in 1990, Khushbu is a Millennial-era classic. Girls named Khushbu are most likely born between 1986 and 2000.
How rare is Khushbu?
With fewer than 500 recorded births, Khushbu is an exceptionally rare name — a one-of-a-kind choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1986, peaked in the 1990s with 94 births that decade, and has since become a rare, vintage choice.
Khushbu by the numbers
- Would fill 3 school buses
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(16 years, 1986–2006)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 5 | #18691 |
| 2002 | 5 | #16847 |
| 2001 | 5 | #16696 |
| 1999 | 6 | #13560 |
| 1998 | 8 | #10642 |
| 1997 | 9 | #9431 |
| 1996 | 12 | #7366 |
| 1995 | 8 | #10058 |
| 1994 | 6 | #12616 |
| 1993 | 6 | #12625 |
| 1992 | 13 | #6854 |
| 1991 | 12 | #7182 |
| 1990 | 14 | #6288 |
| 1989 | 13 | #6347 |
| 1988 | 6 | #11059 |
| 1986 | 5 | #11824 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Khushbu a boy's or girl's name?
When was Khushbu most popular?
How popular is the name Khushbu?
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Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1986–2006