Sophia Girl
soh-FEE-uh
“wisdom” · Greek
#5
Neha
GirlHindi, Sanskrit· “love, affection”
- Meaning
- love, affection
- Origin
- Hindi, Sanskrit
- Pronunciation
- NAY-hah
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #5,662
- US babies 2025
- 22
- Best rank
- #969 (2000)
- Peak year
- 2004
Meaning and origin of Neha
Neha is a Hindi and Sanskrit name that is usually said to mean “love, affection”.
Neha is a Hindi name, from the Sanskrit sneha, usually translated as "love" or "affection." It is widely used in India and among Indian families in the US, UK and elsewhere, and it has a gentle, modern-classic feel in South Asian naming. The name is short and easy to spell. In Hindi it is closer to NAY-hah, with a light final h, and English speakers often say NAY-huh. It shares its sound with Neela and Nehal and does not need a nickname.
Popularity over time
Neha first appears in US Social Security records in 1969. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 1 different years, starting in 2000. Its best national rank was #969 in 2000, and the most babies received it in 2004, when 223 were named Neha. In 2025, 22 babies were named Neha, and it ranked #5,662 nationally. That is 52% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #2,634 in 1980, #969 in 2000, #1,840 in 2010, and #5,662 in 2025. Of the 4,351 US girls named Neha since records began, 43% were born in the 2000s, its biggest decade. The 1990s come next, with 941 babies. Since 2010, 763 more have been named Neha.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Coral, Jamia, Arissa, Anisa, and Jaci.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Neha ranked highest in California.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| California | #2698 | 7 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Neha is usually pronounced NAY-hah, with two syllables. It has four letters, starts with N and ends in “-ha”.
Middle names for Neha
A few middle names that flow with Neha: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Neha
Similar names
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Lists that include Neha
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Neha mean?
Neha is a Hindi and Sanskrit name that is usually said to mean “love, affection”.
What is the origin of the name Neha?
Neha has Hindi and Sanskrit roots. Neha is a Hindi name, from the Sanskrit sneha, usually translated as "love" or "affection." It is widely used in India and among Indian families in the US, UK and elsewhere, and it has a gentle, modern-classic feel in South Asian naming.
Is Neha a popular name?
Not especially. Neha ranked #5,662 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Neha a boy or girl name?
Neha is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Neha?
Neha is usually pronounced NAY-hah. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings