420 Nepali Baby Names From The Himalayan Country

Ethnic names that reflect the beauty and serenity of the Himalayan kingdom.

Written by Angela Alex, MA Specialty: Baby NamesExperience: 2 years

Angela is an honors student with a master's degree in Linguistics from The English and Foreign Languages University, Hyderabad. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in History from St. Stephen’s College, Delhi. Her combined interest in history and the science of language has taught her the skills to understand how language and its use have changed over time.

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Edited by Srija Chanda Burman, MA, PG Dip. Specialty: Relationships, Baby NamesExperience: 3 years

Srija holds an MA in English Literature from the University of Calcutta and a PG Diploma in Editing and Publishing from Jadavpur University. Her interest in editing ranges across niches, including academics, human psychology, and child development.

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Fact-checked by Ratika Pai, M.Com Specialty: Love, Marriage and RelationshipsExperience: 6 years

Ratika holds a master's degree in commerce and a post-graduate diploma in communication and journalism from Mumbai University. She has 6 years of experience writing in various fields, such as finance, education, and lifestyle.

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Last Updated on Nov 12, 2024

Illustration: MomJunction Design Team

Nepali baby names are distinguished so that you can guess a lot about the name-bearer including their caste, profession, ethnic group, and place of birth. It is a common practice among Nepalis to use their ethnicity or their caste name as a surname (1). Sherpa and Gurung are both habitational names and ethnic surnames. Surnames such as Pant and Bista indicate that the person is a Brahmin, originally belonging to western Nepal. Names such as Pande, Thapa, and Bhasnet reveal that the individual belongs to the Rana ruling family. Shrestha is a higher-class surname while Kami is the Nepalese equivalent of Smith. Some Nepalese, especially those residing on the rural side, name their children after the day he/she was born. However, it is customary behavior among Hindu Nepalis to have their children named on the 11th day after their birth (1). For example, Dawa indicates the child was born on a Monday while Phurba denotes the child was born on Thursday. Similarly, Nyima indicates that the child was born on Sunday. The Nepalese naming convention is also a lot similar to Indian naming customs. The naming ceremony in Nepalese culture is known as ‘Nwaran,’ where the priest bestows a name upon the child after consulting the birth charts and astrology (1). After the baby is born, his or her horoscope, along with the chosen letter from the Devanagari, is given to the astrologer. The astrologer then has to find a suitable beginning sound from the particular letter according to the child’s horoscope. Some parents do not select any letter, entitling the naming responsibility entirely to the astrologer. Nepali names are commonly derived from Sanskrit and Pali languages and are also sometimes inspired by the beauty of Nepal (1). If you're looking for a unique name for your son or daughter, check out our list below which includes some of the beautiful and traditional Nepali baby boy and girl names with meanings.

Name	Gender	Meaning
Dhruv	Boy	Immovable; Faithful; Polar star
Khari	Boy	One who is born to rule; Royalty; Pure; Honest
Tara	Girl	Elevated place; Star; Hill
Anita	Girl	Grace; Favor; Mercy; Unguided
Kiran	Boy	Sunrays; Beam of light; Dust; Thread; Black; Dark; Dark-haired
Aarush	Boy	First ray of sun; Dawn
Josh	Boy	Jehovah is salvation; Pleasure; Satisfaction; Enthusiasm
Niya	Girl	To passover; Bright; Purpose; Of Sidon
Samarth	Boy	Capable; Competent; Powerful
Anjali	Girl	Offering with devotion to God; Salutation

Dhriti	Girl	One who has courage and patience
Krishna	Boy	Dark or black; All-attractive
Arjan	Boy	From Hadria; Procuring; Earning; Acquiring; Gaining; Golden life
Dhruva	Boy	Fixed; Immovable; Stable; Pole star; Unshakeable
Ram	Boy	Pleasing; Charming; Exalted; Peace
Taran	Boy	Thunder; A raft; A boat; Crossing over
Daya	Girl	Compassion; Mercy; Bird of prey
Madhav	Boy	Vernal; Of the springtime; Krishna; Descendant of Madhu; Honey
Muna	Unisex	Desire; Wish; Spring; First; Vision; Bud
Mesa	Girl	April; Goat; Ram; Table

Tulsi	Boy	Sacred plant; Holy basil
Shivin	Boy	Auspicious; Dear; Favorable
Ahna	Girl	Gracious; Favor; Daytime; First rays of the sun; Born during the day
Sarita	Girl	Princess; Flowing
Sanjay	Boy	Completely victorious; Triumphant
Sandip	Boy	Blazing; Lamp
Maleya	Unisex	Wished for child; Florist; Chieftain of a mountainous region
Indra	Unisex	God of thunder and rain; Possessing drops of rain
Dhruvan	Boy	The fastest one; a Pole star
Prithvi	Boy	Earth; Wide

Bina	Girl	Knowledge; Bee
Shanti	Girl	Peace; Tranquility
Shyam	Boy	Dark blue; Black; Hindu god Krishna
Mahima	Girl	The ability to become huge; Greatness; Glory
Bharat	Boy	India; Being maintained
Diva	Girl	A divine person; Goddess; Beloved; Daytime
Rupa	Girl	Shape; Form; Appearance; Beauty
Beena	Girl	A musical instrument; Bee
Satya	Boy	Pure; Virtuous; Truthful
Sita	Girl	Furrow; Wife of Lord Rama

Sarath	Boy	Autumn
Dravin	Boy	Wealthy; Prosperous; Gold; Strength; Power; Getting in motion
Niyan	Boy	A way; Arrival; Access
Paras	Boy	Stone which converts metal to precious gems
Viva	Unisex	Alive; Life; Spring; Blow through
Sharad	Boy	Autumn
Varish	Unisex	Ocean; Year; Rain
Rayya	Girl	Quenched; Fresh or good scent; Treasures; Wealth; Possessions; Goods
Mahan	Boy	Great; Big; Eminent; Nobility; Moon; Head of secret organization
Mahith	Boy	Greatness; Honored; Festivity; Esteemed

Pradeep	Boy	Light; Lantern
Myan	Unisex	A sword sheath; A palanquin
Eshani	Girl	A name for Goddess Parvati
Niraj	Boy	One who was born in water; Lotus
Suraj	Boy	Sun
Suresh	Boy	Ruler of the Gods; Lord
Jini	Girl	Victorious woman; God is gracious
Asmi	Girl	I am; Pride; Self-respect; Hard work
Ishay	Unisex	Refresh; Strengthen; Animate
Kamali	Boy	Perfection; Lotus; Pale red

Jenish	Boy	God is gracious
Kaushal	Boy	He who is clever; Skill; Cleverness; Experience
Aneela	Girl	Wind; Air
Mahesh	Boy	A great ruler; One who is supreme
Maheen	Girl	Earth-ruler; King; Prince
Prem	Boy	One who gives love and affection to others
Nihar	Boy	Fog; Haze; Vapour; Spray; Smog; Evacuation
Suyog	Boy	Auspicious time; Good opportunity; Favorable juncture
Saji	Boy	A scholar; Conquer; Fresh
Shankar	Boy	Lord Shiva; Maker; Auspicious

Sharva	Unisex	Whole; Entire; Complete; Lord Shiva
Mahita	Girl	Celebrated; Greatness; Honored; Festivity
Narayani	Girl	Path of Man; Goddess of wealth; Sign or mark
Aarohan	Unisex	Ascension; Upward journey
Sushil	Boy	Good-tempered; Well Disposed; Affable; Amiable
Anjan	Boy	Collyrium; Kajal
Shakya	Boy	To be able; Worthy; Possible; Practicable
Ashok	Boy	Without sorrow
Chetan	Boy	Visible; Conscious; Soul
Rokaya	Boy	Brave; Honest; Ascend

Benisha	Girl	Flashing
Nirmal	Boy	Clean; Pure
Kethan	Boy	Home; Pure gold; He who ruins; Constable of a castle; Captain
Samiksha	Girl	Analysis; Review; Thorough investigation
Manish	Boy	Thought; Wisdom
Ketan	Boy	Home; Pure gold; He who ruins
Rachana	Girl	Creation; Preparation
Ramesh	Boy	God of Lord Rama
Ashika	Girl	Swordsman; One without sorrow; Hopeful person; Lover
Prajwal	Boy	A man who shines bright

Sambhav	Boy	Possible
Muskan	Unisex	Happiness or smile
Nish	Boy	Night
Varad	Boy	Boon; God of fire
Nini	Girl	To lead, carry or bring towards; Apostle; Melody; Fish
Barsha	Girl	Rain
Jyoti	Girl	Light; Divine light
Sakhi	Girl	A good companion and loyal friend
Mahati	Girl	Great; Narada's seven-stringed lute; A river; To honor; Important
Samanvita	Girl	Connected with; Endowed with; Accompanied by

1 2 3 … 5 »

The charm of Nepali names lies in the languages it has been derived from, that is Sanskrit and Pali. Nepali baby names serve not only as a form of identification of an individual but it also indicates the individual’s caste, location, profession, and ethnicity. The naming ceremony or Nwaran ensures that Nepali babies are given meaningful names that match their individual self. This curated list of Nepali baby names allows parents to explore the fascinating names that emerged from the land of the mountains.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Which name is most popular in Nepal?

The most popular name in Nepal varies over time and can be influenced by cultural and regional factors. However, according to recent statistics, Rama is the most popular boy’s name followed by Krsna, Lakshmi, and Mana.

2. How do Nepali baby boy names reflect the culture of other South Asian countries, such as India or Bangladesh?

Nepali baby boy names, while distinctively Nepali, often share cultural influences and similarities with other South Asian countries like India and Bangladesh. Nepalese names often derive from Sanskrit and Pali (2), with a significant Hindu population comprising part of the Indo-Aryan language family. Nepal shares borders with India and has ethnic communities with historical ties to specific regions in India and Bangladesh. As a result, Nepali baby boy names may reflect regional or ethnic connections with these countries (3).

3. What are some potential cultural or linguistic misunderstandings that may arise while choosing a Nepali baby boy name without understanding its meaning or significance?

Choosing a Nepali baby boy name without understanding its meaning or significance may lead to potential cultural or linguistic misunderstandings. Without knowledge of the name's meaning, you may unintentionally select one that has a negative or inappropriate connotation in Nepali culture. It can also lead to mispronunciations and may also hinder effective communication and connection with the culture.

4. How do Nepali baby boy names reflect the values and beliefs of Nepali society, and how can I choose a name that aligns with my own values?

Many Nepali names are derived from Hindu, Buddhist, or other religious traditions prevalent in Nepal (3). In Nepal, naming conventions exhibit diversity. Typically, the eldest member of Nepalese households announces the names of the children (2). When choosing a Nepali baby boy name, Choose a name that resonates with your values, such as virtues you admire, spiritual beliefs you embrace, or cultural aspects that hold significance for you.

Infographic: Adorable Nepali Baby Names With Meanings

Nepali baby names are indicative of one’s profession, place of birth, and ethnicity. These names are commonly derived from the Pali and Sanskrit languages and are occasionally inspired by Nepal’s aesthetic surroundings. If you are looking for a Nepali name for your little one, look at the infographic below to get a glimpse of the enchanting nature of Nepali names.

nepal baby names with meanings (infographic)

References

MomJunction's articles are written after analyzing the research works of expert authors and institutions. Our references consist of resources established by authorities in their respective fields. You can learn more about the authenticity of the information we present in our editorial policy.

Nepalese Culture.
https://culturalatlas.sbs.com.au/nepalese-culture/nepalese-culture-naming
Nepal personal names;
https://www.familysearch.org/en/wiki/Nepal_Personal_Names
Nepal;
https://jsis.washington.edu/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/nepal.pdf

Look Up For Many More Names

Do you have a name in mind and want to know more about it? Or want to find names belonging to a particular origin, religion, or having a specific meaning? Use our search tool below to explore more baby names with different combinations.