Neha
Meaningaffection, love · Sanskrit
Neha is an Indian girl name meaning “affection, love”, with Sanskrit roots. Sanskrit names are rich in meaning, often drawn from nature, virtues or Hindu tradition. A meaning like this gives a child something to grow into, and a good story to tell when someone asks about their name. It sounds soft and friendly, it's easy to spell and quick to call across a playground, and it pairs well with middle names of almost any length.
Did you know?
- GenerationNeha peaked in 2000, which makes it a Gen Z name. The typical Neha you'd meet today is about 25 years old.
- Roll callIn a typical school of 500 kids, your Neha would very likely be the only one. About 1 in 72,993 baby girls got the name in 2025.
- HistoryNeha first shows up in US birth records in 1969, the first year at least 5 babies got it. It has been in use for 56 years since.
Save adds it to your list. Vote moves it up the top voted names.
Popularity: U.S. Social Security Administration (babies with 5+ births per year).
About the name Neha
Neha is a girl name of Indian origin meaning “affection, love”. Its two syllables give it an easy rhythm, and the open vowel at the end makes it sound soft and warm. It hit its peak in the 2000s, so it feels familiar without being trendy. It's rarely heard today, so it stands out while still being a real, established name.
Origin:Indian names
More Indian girl names
- Girl name: Maya · illusion
- Girl name: Lyla · night
- Unisex name: Arya · noble
- Girl name: Kali · black
- Girl name: Serena · calm, serene
- Girl name: Mira · wonderful
- Girl name: Amber · amber resin
- Unisex name: Veda · knowledge
Questions about the name Neha
What does the name Neha mean?
Neha means “affection, love” and comes from Sanskrit. Names built around “love” have been loved for generations, and give a child a meaning worth sharing when someone asks about their name. Other girl names with a similar meaning include Nayeli (“possibly I love you”), Amanda (“worthy of love”), Love (“love”) and Eros (“love”).
What is the origin of the name Neha?
Neha is Indian in origin, and its meaning traces back to Sanskrit. Other Indian names to consider are Maya (“illusion”), Lyla (“night”), Arya (“noble”) and Kali (“black”).
Is Neha a boy or girl name?
Neha is a girl name. In 2025, 22 US girls were named Neha.
How popular is the name Neha?
Neha ranked #5,554 for US girls in 2025, given to 22 babies. Its best year was 2000, when it reached #966. Over the last five years it has slipped 240 places.
What names are similar to Neha?
If you like Neha, you might also like Nayeli, Amanda, Love and Eros.
What should I know before naming my baby Neha?
Neha is an Indian girl name meaning “affection, love”, with Sanskrit roots. Sanskrit names are rich in meaning, often drawn from nature, virtues or Hindu tradition. A meaning like this gives a child something to grow into, and a good story to tell when someone asks about their name. It sounds soft and friendly, it's easy to spell and quick to call across a playground, and it pairs well with middle names of almost any length. Say it out loud with your last name and any middle names you're considering, and check the initials it makes.