Sharmilah as a Baby Name. Meaning and Origin of Sharmilah

What is the meaning of the name Sharmilah ?

The baby name Sharmilah is a Female name , 3 syllables long and is pronounced shar-MEE-lah (IPA: /ʃɑrˈmiːlə/).

Sharmilah is Indian, Sanskrit in Origin.

Sharmilah is a South Asian feminine name, a Tamil-influenced spelling of Sharmila. In modern Hindi and Urdu, sharmilā is an adjective meaning “bashful, modest, shy,” ultimately from Persian sharm “modesty; sense of shame.” Many South Asian name glossaries also connect it to Sanskrit śarma “comfort, protection, joy,” giving the name a parallel reading of gentle poise and well-being.

Usage spread widely in the mid–20th century across India, Sri Lanka, and the diaspora, helped by the visibility of actress Sharmila Tagore and, later, activist Irom Sharmila. The -h ending is common in Tamil communities in Sri Lanka, Malaysia, and Singapore. Variants include Sharmila, Sharmilla, Sharmeela (Urdu), Śarmilā (scholarly transliteration), and Nepali Sarmila; related names with similar meaning are Sharmin and Sharmeen. Familiar short forms are Sharmi, Mila, and Mili. Core meanings center on modesty and grace, with some traditions emphasizing “comfort” or “protection.”