Indian Names

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

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.

Unlike Pamela and Melanie, Mela feels fresh and unusual.

A Hindi name with a wonderful meaning.

Wise, with vivacity.

Panna is a name with many allusions — in addition to those above, a serene and sacred city in India and the Italian word for cream. Panna might make a fresh alternative to Anna or Hannah.

Soft and rhythmic.

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

Feminine form of Cian, a name from Irish legend.

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

Hip-swayingly evocative.

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

Spiritual author Deepak Chopra made this familiar, if not particularly accessible, outside the Indian community.

This Indian name with a Slavic sound definitely has potential.

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

Might translate, thanks to Darren connection.

Might be a little too close to bandita.

Kerani is a lovely Indo-Pakistani name that could be seen as the Karen of the multicultural future.