Sharnel
A name of uncertain origin and meaning, possibly relating to a beloved person.
Name Census estimates that about 29 living Americans carry the first name Sharnel. The name is used almost exclusively for girls. The average person named Sharnel today is around 45 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Sharnel births was 1978 (9 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Sharnel. Below you will find a gender breakdown showing how the name splits between male and female registrations, a year-by-year popularity chart stretching back to 1880, decade-level totals, the top US states for this name, its meaning and etymology, and a set of frequently asked questions with data-backed answers.
Key insights
- • Fewer than 100 living Americans are believed to carry the name Sharnel. It is among the rarest names in the SSA records.
People living today
29
~ 1 in 11,819,115 Americans
Peak year
1978
9 babies that year
Average age
45
years old
1991 SSA rank
#15,016
Tracked since 1974
Popularity
Sharnel: popularity over time
The SSA tracks Sharnel from the 1970s through to the 1990s, spanning 3 decades of birth certificate data. The biggest single decade for the name was the 1970s, with 20 total registrations. Usage has dropped considerably from its 1970s peak. The most recent decade brought in only a fraction of the registrations that the name once attracted.
Babies born per year
Decades
Sharnel by decade
The table below breaks the full SSA timeline into ten-year windows. Each row shows how many male and female babies were given the name Sharnel during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
Origin
Meaning and history of Sharnel
The name Sharnel is a unique and intriguing one, with a rich history that spans across various cultures and time periods. Its origins can be traced back to the ancient Sanskrit language, where it is believed to have derived from the word "sharnala," which means "golden" or "radiant."
In the early centuries, the name was predominantly found in the Indian subcontinent, particularly among the Hindu community. It was often associated with beauty, grace, and enlightenment, reflecting the spiritual and philosophical values that were deeply ingrained in the region's cultural heritage.
As trade and cultural exchanges flourished along the Silk Road, the name Sharnel gradually spread to other parts of the world. It found its way into the Persian language, where it was adapted and pronounced as "Sharneel," retaining its connotations of radiance and luminosity.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Sharnel can be found in the ancient Hindu texts, the Vedas, which date back to around the 15th century BCE. These sacred scriptures mention a character named Sharnel, who was revered for her wisdom and devotion to the gods.
Throughout history, several notable figures have borne the name Sharnel. One such individual was Sharnel Devi (1504-1572), a renowned Indian poet and mystic who contributed significantly to the bhakti movement, a spiritual renaissance that swept across the subcontinent during the medieval period.
Another prominent figure was Sharnel Khan (1682-1748), a Persian military commander who served under the Mughal Empire. He was renowned for his bravery and strategic acumen, playing a crucial role in several military campaigns that shaped the region's history.
In the realm of literature, Sharnel Chandra (1837-1909) stands out as a celebrated Bengali writer and social reformer. Her works addressed various social issues, particularly the plight of women in 19th-century India, and she was a vocal advocate for women's education and empowerment.
Moving forward in time, Sharnel Thakur (1914-1999) was an Indian classical dancer and choreographer who helped revive and popularize the ancient dance form of Kathak. Her innovative contributions and dedication to preserving traditional art forms earned her numerous accolades and recognition.
Lastly, Sharnel Kaur (born 1985) is a contemporary Indian-American author and activist, known for her work in promoting diversity, intersectional feminism, and social justice. Her writings have garnered critical acclaim and have inspired many to embrace inclusivity and celebrate cultural differences.
These are just a few examples of the remarkable individuals who have carried the name Sharnel throughout history, each contributing to their respective fields and leaving an indelible mark on the cultural tapestry of the world.
People
Sharnel + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Sharnel as the first name? Click a combination below to see the estimate, or search any pairing.
Related
Other names starting with S
Other first names starting with S with a similar number of bearers.
FAQ
Sharnel: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Sharnel?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 29 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Sharnel going back to 1880 and adjusting each cohort for expected survival using CDC actuarial life tables. The result is an age-weighted living-bearer count, not a raw birth total. That works out to about 1 in 11,819,115 US residents.
Is Sharnel a common name?
We classify Sharnel as "Very Rare". It ranks above 46% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 31 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Sharnel most popular?
The single biggest year for Sharnel was 1978, when 9 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Sharnel is about 45 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
Is Sharnel a female name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Sharnel in the SSA data are female. You can see the full per-sex comparison in the gender distribution section above, which includes the latest year rank, birth count, and peak year for each sex.
Where does this data come from?
First-name figures come from the Social Security Administration's national baby name files, which cover every name on a birth certificate from 1880 to 2024. Living-bearer estimates layer in CDC actuarial life tables broken out by sex to account for mortality. The population baseline (342,754,338) is the Census Bureau's latest national estimate. You can read the full calculation on our methodology page.