Rupali
A girl's name of Sanskrit origin with 27 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
When Rupali hit its peak of 6 births in 1980, American naming was shifting away from mid-century classics toward more individualistic, expressive choices.
Today, Rupali reads as a name tied to a specific era — which is exactly what draws some parents to it.
Rupali is not in the current top 1,000 girl names nationally, making it an uncommon choice — though your state or community may differ.
Rupali is a girl's baby name of Sanskrit origin, meaning "beautiful" or "possessing beauty," from the Sanskrit root rupa (रूप), meaning "form," "beauty," or "appearance." In Hindu philosophy, rupa is one of the five aggregates that constitute experience — the element of material form and visible beauty.
Rupali is used across India, Nepal, and their diasporas, particularly in Bengali, Marathi, and Hindi-speaking communities. It has a flowing, three-syllable quality that sounds beautiful in any language. A name that literally means beauty — a gift of the most straightforward and lasting kind. Rarely heard outside South Asian communities, which makes it distinctive and meaningful for families honoring that heritage.
EtymologyShow more
Rupali is built from 6 letters and three syllables — a mid-length form that balances memorability with distinctiveness. Within the Sanskrit naming tradition, this length is typical of names that preserve their full historical form, carrying their etymology on the surface.
The interplay of consonants and vowels in Rupali creates its characteristic open, approachable quality. Multi-syllable names often carry remnants of compound constructions — two or more meaningful elements fused together — even when the original components are no longer transparent to modern speakers.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Rupali has 5+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1980.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Avg Rank | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 11 | #14495 | ▼ |
| 1980s | 16 | #11224 | — |
The Story of Rupali
A Gen X name
Peaking in 1980, Rupali is a Gen X staple. Girls named Rupali are most likely born between 1980 and 1990.
How rare is Rupali?
With fewer than 500 recorded births, Rupali is an exceptionally rare name — a one-of-a-kind choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1980, peaked in the 1980s with 16 births that decade, and remains solidly popular today.
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(5 years, 1980–1998)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 1998 | 6 | #13763 |
| 1994 | 5 | #15226 |
| 1982 | 5 | #11870 |
| 1981 | 5 | #11736 |
| 1980 | 6 | #10065 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Rupali a boy's or girl's name?
When was Rupali most popular?
How popular is the name Rupali?
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Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1980–1998