सोनाली

Sonali

girlHindi and MarathiHindu

Sonali is a Hindu girl name of Hindi and Marathi, from Sanskrit origin, meaning “Golden”.

MeaningGolden
GenderGirl
OriginHindi and Marathi, from Sanskrit
Written asसोनाली
Pronunciationsoh-NAH-lee
TraditionHindu
Used inIndia, Bangladesh

Meaning and origin of Sonali

Sonali comes from sona, 'gold', the everyday North Indian descendant of Sanskrit suvarna. In Marathi and Bengali it is also used as an adjective for something golden or gold-coloured, as in the golden light of a harvest field. The name was very fashionable in India from the 1970s onward, and well-known bearers include the actress Sonali Bendre and the actress Sonali Kulkarni.

Is Sonali a Hindu name?

Sonali is a Hindu-background name with no direct link to a deity; it is chosen for its warm, golden meaning. It is also used occasionally by families of other faiths in Bengal and Maharashtra.

How popular is Sonali?

Very familiar in India, especially among Marathi and Bengali families, though now less fashionable for newborns than in earlier decades.

Gifts with the name Sonali

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Spellings and variants of Sonali

SonaleeShonali

Names similar to Sonali

More Hindu girl names

Frequently asked questions

What does the name Sonali mean?

Sonali means 'Golden'. It is of Hindi and Marathi, from Sanskrit origin.

Is Sonali a Hindu name?

Sonali is a Hindu-background name with no direct link to a deity; it is chosen for its warm, golden meaning. It is also used occasionally by families of other faiths in Bengal and Maharashtra.

How do you pronounce Sonali?

Sonali is pronounced soh-NAH-lee.

Is Sonali a boy or girl name?

Sonali is usually a girl name.

Updated October 2026. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.