Sharmilla as a Baby Name. Meaning and Origin of Sharmilla

What is the meaning of the name Sharmilla ?

The baby name Sharmilla is a Female name , 3 syllables long and is pronounced IPA: /ʃərˈmiːlə/ or /ʃɑrˈmiːlə/; respelling: shər-MEE-lə or shahr-MEE-lah.

Sharmilla is Indian, Sanskrit in Origin.

Sharmilla is an Anglicized double‑l variant of Sharmila, a feminine name widely used across South Asia. In modern Indo‑Aryan languages (Hindi, Urdu, Bengali), it aligns with śarmīlā/শর্মিলা, meaning “modest, bashful, shy,” ultimately tied to Persian sharm “modesty.” Many speakers also associate it with Sanskrit śarma “comfort, protection, joy,” so contemporary name glosses often include “one who brings comfort/joy” alongside “modest.” Both shades of meaning coexist in everyday usage.

The name gained prominence in the mid‑to‑late 20th century, aided by Indian cinema and public figures such as actress Sharmila Tagore, and remains common in India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and the global diaspora. Principal variants include Sharmila (standard), Sharmilla (English-influenced), Sharmilah, Sarmila (Nepali), and the Hindi-influenced Sharmili/Sharmilee. Short forms and nicknames include Sharmi and, more recently, Mila. The name is almost exclusively feminine.