Origin
Sanskrit origin, from the word 'Shree' (श्री), meaning 'prosperity', 'wealth', or 'beauty'. The name is prominent in Indian culture and often associated with goddess Lakshmi. It entered multicultural Australian contexts through Indian immigrant communities, especially post-1950s. Not traditionally used by Aboriginal Australian or Māori groups, but adopted by Indian Australians and more broadly in multicultural Australia.
Meaning
Literal translation: 'prosperity', 'beauty', 'auspiciousness'. In Australian English contexts, it signifies a name connoting grace and abundance, often inspiring positive associations and cultural connection to Indian heritage.
Pronunciation
/ʃriː/ (Australian English pronunciation: /ʃriː/), stress on the second syllable; rhymes with 'tree' with a 'sh' sound at the start, a common phonetic adaptation for non-Western names.
Variants & Nicknames
Variants
- Shri
- Shree
- Sree
- Šrí
Nicknames
- Shre
- Shree
- Ree
Name Days
- None officially recognized in Catholic or Orthodox calendars, but celebrated culturally within Indian communities in Australia on Diwali (date varies, typically October/November).
- Diwali (Deepavali) - Celebrated by Indian Australians as a festival of lights.
- Māori and Aboriginal cultural events do not have specific 'name days' for this name, as it is culturally distinct from their naming traditions.
Name Pairings
Names that pair well with shree:
- Anjali and Priya
- Aisha and Meera
- Neha and Kavita
Fun Facts
- Shree is a common name among Indian Australians, often used to evoke cultural pride.
- The name 'Shree' appears in Indian pop culture, literature, and local businesses (e.g., Shree Indian Restaurant in Sydney).
- It is also associated with auspiciousness and prosperity in Indian festivals and religious practices.
Personality Traits
Common traits associated with the name shree:
- Prosperous
- Graceful
- Auspicious
- Culturally proud
Aesthetic Qualities
The name has a simple yet elegant visual appearance, with smooth, flowing letters that convey grace and prosperity in typographic design in Australian contexts.
Geographical Distribution
Most common in major cities with sizeable Indian Australian populations, such as Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane. Less common in regional and rural areas.
Numerological Significance
Name number 9 (based on Pythagorean numerology), associated with humanitarianism, wisdom, and global consciousness, fitting with its cultural and spiritual roots.
Astrological Connections
No specific astrological associations, but in traditional practices, the name may correspond to auspicious dates and planetary influences connected to Hindu cosmology.
Historical Context
The name 'Shree' has spiritual and cultural significance in Hindu traditions, representing respect and reverence. In Australia, it has gained prominence through multicultural and immigrant communities, symbolising cultural pride. Notable figures include Indian film personalities and community leaders bearing the name.
Linguistic Adaptability
The name adapts well across languages, retaining its phonetic integrity; in Western writing systems, it is often romanised as 'Shree' or 'Shri' with diacritics omitted.
Famous People Named shree
- Shree Govindarajan (Indian-Australian academic)
- Shree K. (Indian-Australian entrepreneur)
- Fictional characters with this name are less common in mainstream Australian media.
Popularity in Australia
Year | Count |
---|---|
2024 | 2 |
2017 | 3 |
2014 | 1 |