Find out how popular the first name Pallavi has been for the last 40 years (from 1978 to 2017) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Pallavi by gender

Based on the last 40 years of data, Pallavi is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 2017, there were 5 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Pallavi.

The history of the first name Pallavi

The name Pallavi has its origins in Sanskrit, an ancient Indo-Aryan language that was prevalent in the Indian subcontinent. It is derived from the word "pallava," which means a fresh leaf, sprout, or bud, symbolizing new beginnings and growth.

The name Pallavi gained prominence during the classical period of Indian history, particularly in the realm of music. It was the name given to the opening verse or lines of a song or musical composition in the Hindustani and Carnatic classical music traditions. These opening lines set the tone and mood for the rest of the piece.

One of the earliest known references to the name Pallavi can be found in the Natya Shastra, an ancient Sanskrit treatise on the performing arts, written between the 2nd century BCE and the 2nd century CE. The text discusses the concept of Pallavi in the context of musical compositions.

In the 6th century CE, the renowned Sanskrit poet and dramatist Kalidasa mentioned the name Pallavi in his works, using it as a metaphor for beauty and grace. This further popularized the name and associated it with artistic and literary excellence.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Pallavi. One of the earliest was Pallavi Ranalukamalla (1055-1110 CE), a powerful ruler of the Kalyani Chalukya dynasty in present-day Karnataka, India. She was known for her patronage of arts and literature.

Another prominent figure was Pallavi Ghosh (1950-2017), an Indian classical vocalist and exponent of the Patiala gharana. She was awarded the Padma Shri, one of India's highest civilian honors, for her contributions to music.

Pallavi Subramanian (born 1979) is a contemporary Indian classical dancer and choreographer, known for her innovative approach to the Bharatanatyam dance form. She has performed extensively worldwide and received numerous accolades.

Pallavi Purkayastha (1984-2012) was an Indian lawyer and victim of a high-profile murder case that sparked discussions on women's safety in India. Her tragic death brought attention to the issue of violence against women.

Pallavi Shroff (born 1955) is a renowned Indian lawyer and managing partner of the prestigious law firm Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas. She is widely recognized for her expertise in corporate law and has been featured on several prestigious lists of influential women.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Pallavi was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Pallavi, please contact us.

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