Anoushka

Anoushka is a feminine given name used primarily in the Indian subcontinent and among diaspora communities in Europe, North America, and the Middle East. It has several spellings, including Anousha, Anoushka, Anushka, and Anusha, reflecting different linguistic and transliteration conventions from Sanskrit and Persian roots. In Indian naming practice, Anoushka is often treated as a modern variant of Anushka or Anusha.

Etymology and meaning vary by tradition. In South Asian contexts the name is associated with feminine forms of words meaning "grace," "favor," or "dawn" in some traditions, though exact origins are not consistently stated across sources. The name gained international visibility in the late 20th and early 21st century through public figures, media representations, and diaspora communities.

Notable people with the name include Anoushka Shankar (born 1981), an Indian-American sitar player, composer, and singer, who is the daughter of Ravi Shankar. She has performed globally and released several albums blending classical Indian music with other genres. Other individuals with the given name have gained attention in music, arts, and public life within South Asian communities, though not all achieve broad international recognition.

See also: Anushka, a related name with its own set of notable bearers, and a broader discussion of name variants across languages.