Indian Names

Indian princely title, more exciting than Prince or Duke, that is also a widely-used name for both genders. In the US, the names Rajah and Raja are uncommon: Ten baby boys were named Rajah last year and 18 were given the Raja spelling.

Some parents, including rapper Ludacris, are literally bestowing good karma on their children; it could just join the new spiritual name congregation.

This Hindu goddess name is very popular in India. The goddess of love, fertility and devotion, representing female force, Parvati is the wife of Shiva and the mother of Ganesh. There is a Harry Potter character named Parvati Patil, a twin sister of Padma..

In Hindi, Hara is one of the 1,008 names for the god Siva and, to English speakers, a possible feminine spin on Harry. In Greek the name is pronounced with emphasis on the last syllable, where it has the uplifting meaning "joy" (also seen as Chara).

Vivaan is a life-related name from India that has made its way onto the US Top 1000 for the first time in 2014. While unusual, it has a familiar and appealing lively sound and feel. However, be aware that people unfamiliar with the name may misread and mispronounce it as Vivian.

Deriving from the Sanskrit Mithra, Mitra is the Hindu god of the sun and of friendship. This transcription is unisex in Hindi, while in Persian, it is the feminine form.

Indian tennis sensation Sania Mirza is popularizing this one.

An international take on Dara.

Sounds like and is often confused with Asia, though it has an air of retro cool via the seminal Steely Dan album. Or, pronounced eye-ah, it can be an alternate spelling of the international favorite Aya.

The Hindu princess and poetess Meera, was also known as Mira Bai. Mira Bai was a Rajput princess, the only child of Ratan Singh, younger brother of the ruler of Merta. Her royal education included music and religion as well as instruction in politics and government. In the West we usually think of such traditional names as Charlotte and George as royal baby names, but this adventurous choice breaks the mold. Mirabai combined the Sanskrit "Mira" (meaning ocean) with the suffix -bai (historically added to the names of women as a sign of respect).

Pranav, an Indian name now in the U. S. Top 900, represents Aum, or Om, the most sacred syllable in Hinduism, symbolizing the entire universe.

This Hindi girls' name is virtually unknown in the Western World but could translate easily, and the smooth meaning is a plus.

Literary Indian choice, best known here via acclaimed writer Ved Mehta, who lost his sight at the age of four.

The graceful Indian Suria or Surya may remind Americans more of little Miss Suri Cruise than of the pantheon of Hindi gods and goddesses.

Kalindi is a lovely, rhythmic name refers to one of the seven sacred rivers of India.

Almost unknown in the western world, Gyan comes from a Sanskrit word for knowledge. It may appeal to parents looking for a name influenced by eastern philosophy, like Bodhi or Zen.

A beautiful Urdu name with a musical sound and a lovely celestial meaning. Sitara got a boost in 2022, potentially from the award-winning 2020 short film "Sitara: Let Girls Dream", bringing awareness to the issue of child marriage.

A name rich in Hindu tradition as the alternate name for the Goddess Lakshmi, the embodiment of beauty and charm; currently borne, appropriately, by model-actress-writer Padma Lakshmi.

Another traditional Indian name, best known here via novelist Vikram Seth.

Surname of a noted modern Urdu poet.