शर्मिला

Sharmila

girlSanskrit / HindiHindu

Sharmila is a Hindu girl name of Sanskrit / Hindi origin, meaning “Modest, shy”.

MeaningModest, shy
GenderGirl
OriginSanskrit / Hindi
Written asशर्मिला
Pronunciationshur-MEE-lah
TraditionHindu
Used inIndia, Bangladesh, Nepal

Meaning and origin of Sharmila

Sharmila is usually explained as 'modest' or 'shy', a sense that matches the Hindi word sharm, 'bashfulness', which comes from Persian. Some link it instead to Sanskrit sharman, 'joy' or 'protection', so the origin is debated. The name was very popular in India from the 1950s to the 1980s; the actress Sharmila Tagore is its best-known bearer, and the Manipuri activist Irom Sharmila also made it widely known.

Is Sharmila a Hindu name?

Sharmila has no direct link to a Hindu deity; it is a character name valuing modesty. It is used mainly by Hindu families, and also by some Christian and other families in India.

How popular is Sharmila?

Familiar throughout India and Bangladesh, mostly among women born before the 1990s.

Gifts with the name Sharmila

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Spellings and variants of Sharmila

SharmileeSarmila

Names similar to Sharmila

More Hindu girl names

Frequently asked questions

What does the name Sharmila mean?

Sharmila means 'Modest, shy'. It is of Sanskrit / Hindi origin.

Is Sharmila a Hindu name?

Sharmila has no direct link to a Hindu deity; it is a character name valuing modesty. It is used mainly by Hindu families, and also by some Christian and other families in India.

How do you pronounce Sharmila?

Sharmila is pronounced shur-MEE-lah.

Is Sharmila a boy or girl name?

Sharmila is usually a girl name.

Updated October 2026. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.