6504 Time-honored Sanskrit Baby Names With Meanings

Sacred and cherished symbols of a rich and ancient culture.

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Last Updated on Aug 2, 2024

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Sanskrit is an ancient Indo-Aryan and divine language of South Asia. It is considered classical in Hinduism, Jainism, and Buddhism. Sanskrit baby names continue to appeal to parents as they deeply connect with different aspects across history and cultures. The names often symbolize a human virtue, a revered deity, or a natural element. They are meaningful and connected to a positive attribute. For instance, the masculine name Arav means ‘peaceful’ and ‘calm,’ while the feminine name Gauri means ‘white.’ Additionally, Gauri is one of the many names of the Hindu Goddess Parvati.

Parents who want their children to stay connected with their culture look for a traditional Sanskrit name. These names have a timeless charm that makes them relevant even in modern times, embodying admirable values of wisdom, courage, and beauty. A few more beautiful Sanskrit choices include the feminine name Vidya which means ‘knowledge’ or ‘learning.’ Parents who want their daughters to become wise and knowledgeable may find the name appealing. Similarly, parents who want their son to be courageous may choose from names like Mahavira meaning ‘great hero,’ Ekavira meaning ‘warrior,’ and Ranvir meaning ‘brave warrior.’

Sanskrit names are also popular because they have a unique and melodious sound that distinguishes them. For instance, feminine names like Riya (singer) and Aanya (inexhaustible), and masculine names like Viaan (full of life), and Neel (blue) are popular for their exceptional sound. In the age of rapidly changing trends, names that carry forward rich cultural heritage offer a unique identity for a child. We are aware that looking through endless Sanskrit baby names might be difficult. Hence, we have compiled a list of relevant traditional Sanskrit names that hold profound meaning and have been passed down from generations.

Name	Gender	Meaning
Maya	Girl	Illusion; Magic; Sea of bitterness; Beloved; Good mother; Dame
Lyla	Girl	Night; Night beauty; Delicate; Sport; Drama; From the island
Lila	Girl	Playful; Amusement; Dark beauty; Night
Kali	Girl	Goddess that destroys evil; The black one
Ariyah	Girl	Lion; Noble; Melody
Alaya	Girl	High Status; Exalted; Sublime; Dwelling; Abode; Imperishable; Permanence
Jay	Boy	Victory; Jaybird
Kira	Girl	Throne; Lord; Young; Humiliator of the enemy; Sunbeam; Ray of light; Sparkling
Anaya	Girl	God answers; Misfortune; Adversity; Without a superior; He who no one can lead; Lord Vishnu; Brother; Spanish town
Malani	Girl	She who is from the sky; Garland

Mira	Girl	A wonderous beauty; Peace; Sea; Ocean; Glory; Merry; Kindness; Behold
Aisha	Girl	Living; Alive; Prosperous; Divine; Regal; Supreme
Ayaan	Boy	Natural disposition; Path; Precession; Unmoving; Watchful; Seeing; Good luck
Ariya	Girl	Honorable; Noble; Aryan; Song; Melody
Opal	Girl	Jewel
Mina	Girl	Precious blue stone; Love; A place near Makkah; Goddess of sun, moon, and stars; Fierce protector
Aarav	Boy	Peaceful melody; A calm noise
Kataleya	Girl	Powerful; Queen of Orchids; Pure; Catalyst
Nala	Girl	Stem; Hollow reed; Water in the desert; Queen; Lion; Successful; Beloved
Arian	Boy	Noble; Educated; Golden life; Ram

Ila	Girl	Earth; Speech; Companion; Associate; Torch; Island
Kamiyah	Girl	Good mother; Illusion; Water
Aryan	Boy	Noble; Illustrious; Honorable; Educated
Rohan	Boy	Ascending; Red-haired
Vihaan	Boy	Dawn; Morning
Iyla	Girl	Moonlight; Terebinth tree; Earth; Speech; Island
Ishaan	Boy	Lord; Guardian of the north-east direction; Lord Shiva
Vada	Girl	Famous ruler; Snow-capped; High cliff; Evening; Knowledge
Veda	Girl	Knowledge; Wisdom
Avyaan	Boy	Beginning; Perfect; Faultless

Samira	Girl	Companion in evening talk; Wind; Air
India	Girl	Country originating in river Indus; Body of trembling water, river
Avi	Boy	Father; My God; Sun; Air
Aarna	Girl	Wave; Ocean; Another name of Goddess Lakshmi
Aiyana	Girl	Eternal bloom; Ever-blooming flower; Flower; Silent
Atharv	Boy	Calm and composed; Serene; Peaceful; Stable; Knowledgeable
Avani	Girl	The good earth; Daughter of the earth
Saanvi	Girl	Follower of Goddess Lakshmi; Peak; Ridge
Jana	Girl	God is gracious; To Earn; To Reap; Creature; Living being
Vayda	Unisex	High cliff; Snow-capped; Promise; Knowledge; Rule; Ruler

Indie	Unisex	River; Land of the Indians
Myah	Girl	Water; Good mother; Illusion; Courage
Veer	Boy	A brave person; Hero; Warrior; To be powerful or valiant; To make a heroic effort; Faith; True
Dhruv	Boy	Immovable; Faithful; Polar star
Khari	Boy	One who is born to rule; Royalty; Pure; Honest
Riya	Girl	Singer; Beloved
Meera	Girl	Sea; Ocean; Boundary; Limit; Prosperous; Famous; Astonishing; Goodness
Tara	Girl	Elevated place; Star; Hill
Aadhya	Girl	Original power; First creator; Unequaled; Perfect; Epithet for Goddess Durga
Amar	Boy	Immortal; Unending; One who lives a long life

Aayan	Boy	Long night; God's gift; Watchful
Ayanna	Girl	Flower; Silent
Rishi	Boy	Sage; Poet; To see; Saint; Priest; Wise; Pious; Ascetic
Aarya	Girl	Honorable; Noble; Respectable; Another name of Goddess Parvati
Siya	Girl	White moonlight; Beautiful woman; Goddess Sita
Krish	Boy	Black or dark
Amia	Girl	People of God; Beloved; Delight; The end
Viaan	Boy	Full of life and energy
Reyansh	Boy	First ray of the morning sun; Part of a stream; A name of Lord Vishnu
Layan	Girl	Soft; Delicate; Gentle; Prosperous; Resthouse

Leela	Girl	Play; Amusement; Princess of darkness
Karma	Girl	Fate; Destiny; Action; Deed; Fate; Performance
Hans	Boy	God is gracious; Swan
Amarah	Girl	Grace; Immortal; Eternal; Tribe
Asha	Girl	Desire; Hope; Wish; Alive; Exist
Anita	Girl	Grace; Favor; Mercy; Unguided
Anyla	Girl	Wind; Messenger
Viraj	Girl	Radiant; Bright; Regal; King; Ruling far and wide
Rita	Girl	Pearl; Daisy; True; Enlightened; Luminous; Righteous; Free
Khalani	Unisex	Sea and sky; Earth

Agastya	Boy	Name of an influential Hindu sage; The Canopus star
Yuvaan	Unisex	Young person; Strong; Healthy; Excellent
Aanya	Girl	Compassion; God's favor; Inexhuastible; Gracious; Strength; Power
Jalayah	Unisex	Dwelling; Consciousness; Dew; Hoarfrost
Aariv	Boy	King of wisdom; Rainforest
Kiran	Boy	Sunrays; Beam of light; Dust; Thread; Black; Dark; Dark-haired
Dev	Unisex	God; Bee; Calf; Dark little one
Arya	Boy	Noble; Aryan; Song; Melody
Aadya	Girl	First; Earth; Another name of Goddess Durga
Hardin	Boy	Brave; Strong; Hardy; Valley of the hare; Affectionate

Josh	Boy	Jehovah is salvation; Pleasure; Satisfaction; Enthusiasm
Kyran	Boy	Beam of light; Black
Vivaan	Boy	Full of life; Twisting; Rays of the morning sun
Priya	Girl	Beloved; Loved one
Neel	Boy	River; Blue; Cloud; Horn; Champion
Ravi	Boy	Sun
Ananya	Boy	One-of-a-kind; Unique; One who has no match; Inimatable; Exclusive
Iyanna	Girl	Flower; Silent; Life; God is gracious
Deven	Unisex	Descendant of Damhán; Calf; Fawn; Little dark one; Lord of gods
Ela	Girl	My God is an oath; Hazel; Earth

Advik	Boy	Unique; Matchless
Isha	Girl	Master; Lord
Ahaan	Boy	Dawn; First ray of light
Sahana	Girl	Endurance; Patience; To bloom
Aiyanna	Girl	Eternal blossom; Everlasting bloom; Beautiful flower; Clear; Revelation; Going; Fountain; Downy-bearded
Samaya	Unisex	Peace; Tranquility; Appointed; Proper time; High Above
Ajay	Boy	Unconquerable
Shanaya	Girl	First ray of Sun; Distinguished; Eminent
Shivansh	Boy	A part of Lord Shiva
Ishan	Boy	Master; Lord; Shiva

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Steeped in ancient and rich culture, Sanskrit baby names are a reminder of Hindu traditions and beliefs. They are mostly rooted in Hindu philosophies and carry forward the legacy of one of the oldest civilizations of mankind. Sanskrit may not be a commonly spoken language today, but the baby names have continued to be loved by parents for centuries. Their distinctive sound and strong meanings seldom fail to capture the hearts of parents everywhere they go. The names are connected to core Hindu values, which makes them unique and alluring.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Are Sanskrit names gender-specific?

Sanskrit names follow the gender rule of nouns. They are automatically divided among three genders – masculine, feminine, and neutral gender. Therefore, names in Sanskrit are divided between genders using specific changes to the ending of the names. However, the stem of the name may remain neutral in some cases (1).

2. What do common suffixes in Sanskrit names signify?

Sanskrit name suffixes indicate various aspects such as virtues, divine qualities, geographical origins, and familial lineage. The suffixes ‘aka’, and ‘ya’ indicate a noun’s origin or knowledge. For instance, ya in Apremeya connotes ‘coming from infinity’ and in Aacharya defines ‘one who knows conduct’. Suffixes ‘tva’ is used for quality and ‘maya’ indicates composition (2). Other suffixes such as a, ana, and ā are used for masculine, neuter, and feminine gender; ika for association or appurtenance, ti for action or state, tā for characteristics or qualities, tva for abstract concepts, and ma for action or state.

Infographic: Distinctive Sanskrit Names Connected To Hindu Gods

Sanskrit is believed to be the mother of all languages. Many people following Hinduism have Sanskrit names that belong to a deity or a God. The infographic below contains some of the most beautiful names bearing religious significance by referring to a respective Hindu God/Goddess.

sanskrit names referring to hindu god goddess (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.

Noun Basics.
https://www.learnsanskrit.org/start/nouns/
Secondary Suffixes.
https://www.learnsanskrit.org/start/words/secondary/

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.