Illustration: MomJunction Design Team
Naming a child is challenging, regardless of religion and culture. How about celebrating your baby's birth by picking from our collection of traditional Hindu baby names? Unlike other religions and cultures, names and even the naming ceremony are important in Sanatana Dharma. The priest considers several things, including the name of the ancestors, the stars of the child, and the deities, before zeroing in on the child's name. The search begins right after the birth of the child. The Hindu naming custom, firmly rooted in cultural, spiritual, and astrological importance, is crucial to a person's success. This custom is a symbolic rite to confer favors and influences the infant's future, not just about picking a lovely name. The 'Naamkaran' ceremony, customarily held on the twelfth day following the baby's birth, might vary depending on the community. The baby is officially introduced into society on this critical occasion, attended by family and close friends by whispering the baby's chosen name into their ears (1). Hindu names are designed to invoke blessings and uplifting energy each time they are said. As a result, many Hindu titles are inspired by supernatural beings, holy texts, the natural world, virtues, or other admirable qualities. For instance, names honoring the Hindu pantheon include Ganesha, Lakshmi, Saraswati, and Krishna (2). Given the language's hallowed position in the Hindu tradition, Sanskrit names are frequently used. These names, which carry deep connotations, are meant to uplift and direct the child throughout their existence. Hindu names frequently consist of a first name, a middle name (typically the father's or the family deity's name), and a surname that denotes the person's caste, occupation, or family history. Even though many Hindu parents nowadays look into shorter, easy-to-pronounce names, their spiritual and cultural meaning still plays a significant role in their decisions. The Hindu naming convention represents a lovely fusion of history and contemporary in this emerging trend. If you need clarification about what you could name your baby boy, we are here to help you. Below we present an extensive database of Hindu baby names. From traditional and old school to fashionable, our list has everything you can ask for. Also, check our latest and updated list of Indian baby names.
| Name | Gender | Meaning | |
|---|---|---|---|
 |  |  Boy | One who is with light or glance; Filled with brightness and luminance |
| | | Boy | Love; Respect; Admiration; Value; Esteem; High regard |
| | |  Girl | A mark of love |
| | | Girl | A Flower |
| | | Boy | Early Morning; Dawn; Rising Sun; First rays of the Sun |
| | | Boy | Glory; Vigor; Brilliance; Dynamism; Splendor; Heartiness |
| | | Boy | Glory; Vigor; Brilliance; Dynamism; Splendor; Heartiness |
| | | Boy | Symbol; First word In a sentence; Beginning; Origin |
| | | Girl | Hope; Waiting; Wishing for; Desiring; Faith |
| | | Boy | King; Name of Shantanu's Father |
| | | Boy | Manifested; Clear; Visible; Mark; Apparent and Noticeable |
| | | Boy | Trend; Custom; First and Foremost; Beginning; In the origin or starting |
| | | Boy | First; Foremost; Important; In the origin or starting; Beginning |
| | | Boy | One of the many names of Lord Ganesh signifying him as the first and foremost of everything |
| | |  Unisex | Enlightened or wise leader |
| | | Boy | First; Foremost; Important; In the origin or starting; Beginning; A variant of Prathem |
| | | Boy | The nurturer; The one who looks after the world; Guardian of the world |
| | | Boy | One of many names of Lord Ganesha; Lord of the Best |
| | | Boy | Known; Celebrated; Renowned; Famous; Popular |
| | | Boy | One of many names of Lord Ganesha; Lord of the Best |
| | | Boy | Morning Sun; Rising Sun; Dawn; First rays of the sun |
| | | Boy | Earth; World; Universe |
| | | Girl | Splendor, Brightness; Radiance; Brilliant; Luminant |
| | | Girl | West |
| | | Boy | Pledge; Oath; Promise |
| | | Girl | Pledge; Vow; Promise |
| | | Boy | Symbol, First Word In A Sentence; Beginning; Origin |
| | | Girl | Symbolic; Nature |
| | | Girl | Duryodhana's charioteer; A variant form of Pratika |
| | | Girl | Idol; Like a statue of worship |
| | | Girl | To install; Create; A fixture; Hopeful and expectant |
| | | Boy | Faith in God; Belief In God; |
| | | Girl | Faith; Hope; Waiting; Wishing for; Desiring |
| | | Boy | Happy; Delighted; Joyful; Glad; Cheerful |
| | | Boy | Happy; Delighted; Joyful; Glad; Cheerful |
| | | Boy | In Front of the eyes; Apparent; Clear and real; One who can express |
| | | Girl | Bright morning Sun; Radiant and Luminant Rising Sun |
| | | Girl | Fierce, strong, determined |
| | | Boy | Most excellent; Supreme; Very Good |
| | | Boy | Excellent army of men; Supreme Warriors |
| | | Girl | Feminine form of Pravin; Skilled; A variant spelling is Pravina |
| | | Boy | Chief; Cute; Loveable; Pleasing; Charming |
| | | Boy | An excellent warrior; Brave warrior; Chief Courageous Warrior; Mighty fighter |
| | | Girl | She who is intelligent |
| | | Boy | Expert; Skilled; Proficient; Chief; Able |
| | | Girl | Feminine form of Pravin; Skilled; A variant spelling is Praveena |
| | | Boy | An excellent warrior; Brave warrior; Chief Courageous Warrior; Mighty fighter |
| | | Boy | Hero; Great power; Mighty; Brave; Chief |
| | | Boy | Wanderer; Itinerant; Nomadic; Traveller; Rover |
| | | Boy | Wanderer; Itinerant; Nomadic; Traveller; Rover |
| | | Girl | Intelligent |
| | | Unisex | Journey or travel |
| | | Boy | Supreme Intelligence; Excellent Brilliance; Most knowledgeable; Very Clever; Smartest |
| | | Girl | Pure |
| | | Girl | Mingled with; Combined with; One with; United with |
| | | Boy | Gift of God |
| | | Girl | Love; Affection; Compassion |
| | | Boy | Lover; Beloved; Dearmost; Devotee; Dearly-loved; Adored; Treasured; Sweet |
| | | Boy | Brave Beloved; A warrior who is dearly loved; Adored for courage and bravery |
| | | Boy | Victory of the beloved; Triumph of the much-loved one; Treasured success |
| | | Girl | One Who Longs For The Divine Light; Love for the sacred light and radiance |
| | | Girl | Happy; Love; Affection; Compassion |
| | | Boy | Lover; Beloved; Dearmost; Devotee; Dearly-loved; Adored; Treasured; Sweet |
| | | Girl | Love; Affection; Compassion |
| | | Boy | Gifted with love; Blessed with Love and affection; One who is dearly loved |
| | | Boy | Absorbed in God's love; Immersed in God's love; Engrossed in God's love |
| | | Boy | Love for the Lotus; One whose love is brilliant and radiant like the lotus |
| | | Boy | Attractive and lovable; Beautiful; Appealing; Good-looking; Charming |
| | | Girl | Love; Affection; Compassion |
| | | Boy | Friend of Love; Loving Friend; One who loves friendship; One who likes companionship |
| | | Boy | Full of Love; Affectionate; One who loves dearly |
| | | Boy | Joy of love; Happiness of Love; Delighted in love; Cheerful in love |
| | | Boy | The form of love; Having a loving nature; One who is loving and affectionate |
| | | Boy | Belonging to the family of holy ones; One who loves dearly |
| | | Boy | Loving devotion to God; One who is an affectionate disciple of God |
| | | Boy | Brave in Love; Courageous and Mighty in Love; A defender of Love |
| | | Girl | The Lamp Of Love; Brightness and Radiance of Love |
| | | Boy | God of Love; One who loves dearly like the God |
| | | Boy | One whose love is radiant and glowing like the full moon |
| | | Girl | Full of love; Full of Affection |
| | | Girl | One Who Wins Over Others By Love; Triumph of Love |
| | | Girl | The Light Of Love; Brightness and Radiance of Love |
| | | Boy | Lamp of love; Brightness, brilliance, radiance, and luminance of flame of love |
| | | Girl | Absorbed In God'S Love; Engrossed in God's Love |
| | | Boy | One whose abode is God's love; One who seeks refuge in God's love and affection |
| | | Boy | Light of love; Brightness, brilliance, radiance, and luminance of flame of love |
| | | Boy | Colored in the love of God; Happy and glad in the love of God |
| | | Boy | Attaining peace through Lord's Love; One attains happiness and joy in God's love |
| | | Boy | Support of God's Love; Guidance of God's Love |
| | | Boy | Having highest love for God; One who loves God as the dearmost |
| | | Boy | A defender of love; Brave in love; Courageous and mighty in love |
| | | Girl | To inspire; To encourage; One who is a great motivator |
| | | Girl | Inspiration; One who is a great encourager; Source of good motivation |
| | | Boy | Active; Precious; Cheerful |
| | | Unisex | calm and composed |
| | | Girl | Ray of Light |
| | | Unisex | Beauty; Charm; Attractiveness |
| | | Boy | Moving along; One who looks forward and moves ahead |
| | | Girl | Cherished, beloved |
| | | Girl | Beloved; Loving; God's Gift; Dearmost |
Hindu baby naming involves more than just selecting a name that sounds nice; it is an activity intricately tied to cultural, spiritual, and astrological significance. The naming ceremony, known as the Naamkaran ritual, is steeped in tradition and intended to bring blessings and good vibes. Hindu naming customs display a lovely fusion of history and modernity. The profound meanings these names hold continue to guide and encourage children throughout their lives.
Infographic: Exuberant Hindu Baby Names With Meanings
Hindu baby names are more than just labels; they are rooted in rich traditions and have spiritual meaning. The profound importance of the titles, which are frequently derived from celestial beings, sacred writings, and nature, lead and encourage the child throughout their life. We have compiled some of the most notable Hindu baby names in the following infographic, making it easier for you to choose one. Illustration: Momjunction Design Team
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the rarest Hindu name?
Among the uncommon Hindu names for boys, Aaban signifies 'name of the angel,' Devesh means 'Shiva,' Fakir implies 'a saintly person,' and Gangesh signifies 'Lord of the Ganges river.' For girls, rare names include Arshia meaning 'heavenly divine,' Dharmini meaning 'religious,' Gurinder meaning 'lord,' and Ishwin meaning 'one who praises the Lord.' These names stand out for their distinctive meanings and are rarely used by the Hindu community.
2. What are some of the Hindu girl names for prosperity?
Hindu girl names linked to prosperity and abundance include Lakshmi, named after the goddess of wealth, Aishwarya, meaning ‘wealth’ or ‘prosperity,’ Radha denoting ‘wealth’ or ‘success’ being the love of Lord Krishna and Samruddhi, signifying ‘prosperity’ or ‘abundance’ in Sanskrit.
3. What are some Hindu names that mean ‘lucky’?
In Hindu culture, the concept of luck or auspiciousness is often associated with various deities and qualities. While there is no definitive answer to what the luckiest name for a Hindu boy would be, here are a few names that are believed to bring good fortune. Named after the younger brother of Lord Rama, Lakshman is considered an embodiment of devotion and loyalty. Bhagesh, meaning ‘Lord of Richness,’ and Bhagyam, signifying ‘fortunate’ are Hindu boy names associated with blessings and prosperity.
4. What are some of the traditional naming conventions for Hindu babies?
Hindus often consult astrologers to determine an auspicious time and date for naming their baby. Many Hindu families follow a tradition of passing down family or ancestral names from one generation to the next. This helps maintain a sense of lineage and continuity within the family (3). Hindu names often have deep religious or spiritual meanings. They may be inspired by gods, goddesses, divine attributes, or religious scriptures like the Vedas, Mahabharata, or Ramayana.
5. How have Hindu baby names evolved over time?
In India, the naming tradition has been followed for a significant period. Factors like religion, culture, and family background play a vital role in naming a child. In the past, Indian names were often long yet powerful, while today's names tend to be short and distinct but lack strong religious significance. Modern names are easier to pronounce but may be perceived as having less value compared to their historical counterparts, which, although meaningful, were often challenging to pronounce and felt outdated.
References
- Namakaran (Naming ceremony).
https://www.sanatan.org/en/a/106382.html - What do Hindu names mean?
https://www.hinduamerican.org/blog/what-do-hindu-names-mean - Understanding Indian Names in Naming Conventions Discovery and Standardisation.
https://www.las.org.sg/wp/blog/bulletin/understanding-indian-names-in-naming-conventions-discovery-and-standardisation/
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