Sanskrit Names for Girls

Often heard in India, this is the name of the Hindu goddess of abundance, beauty, and prosperity, the embodiment of grace and charm --lucky omens indeed. The goddess Lakshmi is worshiped daily in Hindu homes, and has festivals held in her honor.

A simple, international name extremely popular in India. The word, meaning "song", also appears in the name of the Bhagavad Gita, a Hindu sacred text. Geeta is a spelling variant.

In Buddhism, Dharma embodies the basic principles of cosmic existence--making it a fitting name for the hippyish character on the sitcom Dharma and Greg, whose middle name was Freedom.

Lolita without the naughty implications.

To most Americans, Jena would be a sleeker spelling of Jenna, pronounced JEHN-a. But it can also be pronounced JEEN-a or, as the Arabic Jena, more like JAY-na. Actress Jena Malone says it the first way, but however you pronounce it, it's a perfectly pleasant if somewhat confusing name.

Evokes picture-postcard image of colorful Indonesia. Bali Barret is a Paris fashion insider who oversees women's style for Hermes. Bali rhymes with tally or galley.

A popular name in India, several famous Indian women carry this sweet sounding name.

If there are too many Savannahs in your neighborhood, you might consider this. Pavana is a Hindu goddess of the wind.

Wise, with vivacity.

Lots of charm.

Taj is a cool new name with ancient Eastern roots. While Taj can work for either sex, Taja might be a feminine alternative.

Feminine form of Amit that's simple and lyrical and close in spirit to a familiar term for friendship.

In India, Bala is a unisex name, but is likely to be perceived as more feminine in the West. In its feminine form, Bala is associated with the daughter of the red goddess, Lalitha Parameshwari.

Beguiling alternative to Johanna.

Soft and alluring, much like the similarly named cloth, but might have political implications.

Raga is musical, yes, but that 'rag' syllable worries us.

Anoma is name occasionally seen in Sri Lanka, India and Thailand. Its meaning is unknown but likely related to the word meaning "illustrious". It is a name that could easily work in English-speaking countries.

This name of a revered Hindu deity is heard in several cultures.