58 Tibetan Baby Names With Sacred Meanings

The harmony of spiritualism and nature beyond the mountains.

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Last Updated on Aug 2, 2024

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Tibet, located in the Himalayas, is the highest region on Earth and has a close connection with nature. Exploring Tibetan baby names can be an interesting way to discover the country’s geography, history, languages, and spiritual beliefs. With a population of around seven million people, Tibet is a small country, and their names are limited as they do not have family names. However, each Tibetan name carries a profound meaning and spiritual depth.

Deeply rooted in Buddhism and spiritualism, several of these names reflect the teachings of the Buddha and enlightenment. It is also a tradition in Tibet to ask a living Buddha or a lama, who is the spiritual teacher of Dharma in Tibetan Buddhism, to bestow a personal name for their baby. Many people also consider giving their babies the name of lamas. For instance, Tenzin, which means ‘protector of dharma,’ is one of the most common Tibetan names and is also borne by the 14th Dalai Lama. Some Tibetans name their baby with words representing the virtues of kindness, happiness, prosperity, nobility, etc. For instance, names like Dedan and Gawa are associated with kindness. Additionally, many Tibetan names are associated with nature and tranquility–Cetan means ‘hawk,’ Pema means ‘lotus,’ and Yeti means ‘abominable snowman.’

To give distinctiveness to their names, Tibetans follow unique practices, such as adding the name of their place of birth, their character, or their career title before the name. Examples include Khenpo Karthar Rinpoche and Gurum Drolma, where Khenpo is a degree for higher Buddhist studies and Gurum is a place name (1). Tibetan names do not just make up a child's identity, but they also showcase parents' blessings upon their child and convey their wishes for their child's future and well-being. The following curated list of Tibetan names includes common names found on the Tibetan plateau.

Name	Gender	Meaning
Kinleigh	Unisex	White warrior; All good; King's meadow
Tenzin	Girl	Upholder of teachings
Zalen	Unisex	Freedom
Nyima	Unisex	Sun; Day
Carma	Girl	Action; Deed; Faith; Performance; Result
Luv	Boy	Particle; Sparrow
Loden	Boy	Intelligent; Thick woolen cloth
Pujan	Boy	A worshipping ceremony; One who is worthy of worshipping
Tashi	Girl	Great fortune
Tsering	Unisex	Long life

Norbu	Boy	Jewel
Srikar	Boy	Causing prosperity; Acquiring wealth; Non-dual consciousness
Pravya	Girl	Intelligent
Pema	Girl	A Lotus
Niti	Girl	Intention; Plan; Conduct; Ethics; Law; Tradition; Custom
Tha	Unisex	Good; Well; Moon
Sakya	Girl	Pale Earth; A name of the Buddha
Trinley	Unisex	Action; Act; Karma
Dorje	Boy	Diamond
Pavaki	Girl	Born of fire; A hollow place in the ground for sacrificial fire; Name of Kartikeya; An energy channel in the body

Amoha	Unisex	Clear; Straight
Bali	Unisex	Lord Krishna; Lord of strength; Religious sacrificial offering; Honey; Buddhist offering cakes
Dechen	Girl	Great happiness
Joti	Girl	Light; Iota; Small amount; All holy; Devoted to the God; Sacred
Lhotse	Girl	A name given to the highest peak
Manasarovar	Unisex	Name of the Lake Manasarovar
Shankha	Girl	A woman who is like a white conch
Sonam	Unisex	Virtuous; Good karma; Fortunate; Beautiful
Cetan	Boy	Hawk
Champo	Boy	Friendly

Chewa	Girl	She who is great or powerful
Chodren	Girl	Lamb of the Dharma
Chomden	Girl	She who overcomes the negative
Dachen	Boy	Great joy
Daivika	Boy	Related to the gods
Dampa	Boy	Sacred
Denpa	Boy	A variant of Denpo; Truth
Denpo	Boy	Truth
Garma	Girl	Goddess of dance
Gawa	Girl	Joy and happiness

Gewa	Girl	Positive karma
Myo	Unisex	Grass; Herbs
Opame	Girl	Infinite light
Pemala	Girl	Respect for the lotus
Penden	Girl	Lotus throne
Shenden	Girl	She who tries to benefit others
Yeshe	Boy	Wisdom
Yonten	Boy	Knowledge
Zenji	Unisex	Zen master
Choden	Girl	Devout; Religious

Jampa	Girl	Kindness or benevolence
Lhakpa	Boy	Mercury; Wednesday
Tenpa	Boy	Buddhist doctrine
Dalai	Girl	Sea; Ocean
Yeshi	Boy	For a thousand; Wisdom; Knowledge
Yeti	Unisex	Rock bear
Brugmo	Girl	Dragon woman
Thaye	Unisex	Infinite; Limitless

Tibetan baby names present a beautiful balance of nature and spirituality. They perfectly blend the essence of spiritualism, natural elements, and positive qualities that reflect the essence of Tibetan beliefs and have significant meanings and associations. The names also carry religious significance and represent the rich Tibetan culture and traditions. So, whether you’re looking for a unique name, a name rooted in Buddhism, a spiritual name, or a name that imparts your well-wishes for your child, Tibetan baby names are great choices that you and your child will cherish forever.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Are Tibetan names commonly combined with names from other cultures?

A few Tibetan families living in other countries may choose to give their children both a Tibetan name and a name from their adopted culture. However, this practice is rare in Tibet.

2. Are there any Tibetan gender-neutral names?

Dawa and Tashi are examples of names used for both males and females in Tibetan culture. Dawa means ‘moon’ or ‘month,’ while Tashi means ‘good fortune.’ These names can be excellent choices for parents seeking gender-neutral options.

3. How can I incorporate both traditional and modern elements into my Tibetan baby's name?

To incorporate both traditional and modern elements into your baby's name, you could choose a traditional Tibetan given name and pair it with a modern middle name, or vice versa. You could also choose a Tibetan name that is easy to spell and pronounce to make it more accessible in non-Tibetan contexts.

4. Who are some famous personalities with Tibetan names that can inspire name choices?

Several well-known figures have Tibetan names that could inspire name choices. Some examples include Tenzin Gyatso, the 14th Dalai Lama; Tsering Dorjee, a Chinese actor; and Lhakpa Tsamchoe, a Tibetan actor.

5. What are some Tibetan names that are easy to pronounce globally?

Some Tibetan names that are relatively easy to pronounce include Dorji, Pema, and Osel. These names with simple phonetic structures maintain their Tibetan flavor while being accessible to speakers of various languages.

Infographic: Spiritual Tibetan Names For Boys And Girls

In Tibetan culture, spiritualism plays a significant role, and their given names reflect this. Many Tibetan names are derived from Buddhist teachings and are associated with spirituality and mindfulness. Take a look at the infographic to learn about a few spiritual Tibetan baby names that carry the essence of nature, peace, comfort, and enlightenment.

tibetan names with spiritual associations (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.

Tibetan Naming Culture
https://en.chinaculture.org/focus/2005-10/27/content_75198.htm

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.