Shilpa
A girl's name of Sanskrit origin with 573 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
When Shilpa hit its peak of 30 births in 1973, American naming was shifting away from mid-century classics toward more individualistic, expressive choices.
Today, Shilpa reads as a name tied to a specific era — which is exactly what draws some parents to it.
Shilpa is not in the current top 1,000 girl names nationally, making it an uncommon choice — though your state or community may differ.
Shilpa is a girl's baby name of Sanskrit origin, from śilpa, meaning 'craft,' 'art,' or 'skill' — a name associated with artistry, craftsmanship, and the beautiful making of things. In Indian tradition, the word encompassed all visual and applied arts.
Shilpa is widely used across India, particularly in Gujarati, Marathi, and Hindi communities, and in the South Asian diaspora. Indian actress and model Shilpa Shetty helped bring the name international visibility through her Bollywood career and appearance on the UK's Celebrity Big Brother.
EtymologyShow more
Shilpa is built from 6 letters and two 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 Shilpa creates its characteristic open, warm quality. Two-syllable names are the most common length in American naming, hitting a natural speech rhythm that works across formal and informal contexts.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Shilpa has 37+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1968.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Avg Rank | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | 6 | #16682 | ▼ |
| 2000s | 36 | #14151 | ▼ |
| 1990s | 157 | #6330 | ▼ |
| 1980s | 190 | #4398 | ▲ |
| 1970s | 173 | #4154 | ▲ |
| 1960s | 11 | #4448 | — |
The Story of Shilpa
A Gen X name
Peaking in 1973, Shilpa is a Gen X staple. Girls named Shilpa are most likely born between 1968 and 1983.
How rare is Shilpa?
With 573 total births on record, Shilpa remains a rare and distinctive pick.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1968, peaked in the 1980s with 190 births that decade, and has since become a rare, vintage choice.
Shilpa by the numbers
- Would fill 12 school buses
- Meeting one Shilpa per day would take 1.6 years
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(37 years, 1968–2010)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 6 | #16682 |
| 2004 | 6 | #15807 |
| 2003 | 6 | #15484 |
| 2002 | 5 | #17713 |
| 2001 | 7 | #13276 |
| 2000 | 12 | #8473 |
| 1999 | 12 | #8157 |
| 1998 | 14 | #7051 |
| 1997 | 18 | #5592 |
| 1996 | 17 | #5738 |
| 1995 | 21 | #4823 |
| 1994 | 14 | #6612 |
| 1993 | 19 | #5171 |
| 1992 | 13 | #7004 |
| 1991 | 11 | #7904 |
| 1990 | 18 | #5250 |
| 1989 | 17 | #5255 |
| 1988 | 19 | #4633 |
| 1987 | 14 | #5573 |
| 1986 | 18 | #4516 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Shilpa a boy's or girl's name?
When was Shilpa most popular?
How popular is the name Shilpa?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1968–2010