Hindu Names With Beautiful Meanings
Happy Diwali to all of our readers who are celebrating this week!
Symbolizing the triumph of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance, and good over evil, the Hindu festival of lights is one of the most important occasions in the cultural calendar.
And it’s a perfect opportunity to shine a light on Hindu names – particularly those with bright and beautiful meanings relating to light, joy, love, family and prosperity, which feel especially fitting for this festive season.
Hindu Naming Customs
According to Hindu tradition, babies are formally named on the eleventh or twelfth day after birth, in a ceremony called Namkaran or Namakarana, which literally means “act of naming”. This ceremony is considered to be one of the key rites of passage in a Hindu person’s life.
Although modern Hindu parents may choose names based on sound, style or associations, traditionally Hindu families consult with a Vedic astrologer called a pandit for guidance on selecting an auspicious name for their child.
Depending on the particular time, date and place of the baby’s birth, as well as the position of the stars and planets, the pandit suggests a letter or sound that the name should begin with, and in some cases an appropriate meaning. Following this guidance is believed to promote good character and prosperity.
Hindu baby names are often inspired by deities and legendary figures, religious rituals, positive character traits, or the natural world. But names inspired by pop culture and celebrity are becoming increasingly popular as well.
Meaning and associations are very important when it comes to Hindu names. Names are believed to play a significant role in a person’s life and fortunes, so positive meanings are a must.
Read on for a selection of Hindu names with beautiful meanings perfect for the festive season.
Hindu Girl Names
Abha – splendour, light
Aditi – goddess of fertility and the universe
Aruna – reddish brown, dawn
Chandra – moon, shining
Devi – mother goddess
Diya – lamp, light
Esha – desire, wish
Gita – song
Indira – beauty
Jaya – victory
Jyoti – light
Karishma – miracle
Kavita – poem
Lakshmi – goddess of good fortune and beauty
Lila – play, amusement
Nandita – joy
Parvati – goddess of love and power
Priya – beloved
Puja – honor, worship
Radha – success
Rati – rest, pleasure
Shakti – power, divinity
Shivani – kind, auspicious
Sunita – wise
Hindu Boy Names
Agni – fire god
Ajay – unconquered
Anand – happiness, bliss
Arjun – bright, shining
Dev – god
Ganesh – god of wisdom and good luck
Jai – victory
Kalyan – beautiful, auspicious
Kama – god of love
Kavi – sage, poet
Madhur – sweet
Manu – wise
Nitya – eternal
Prasad – brightness, graciousness
Rakesh – lord of the full moon
Rama – pleasing, beautiful
Rishi – sage, poet
Rohan – ascending
Sandip – blazing
Sanjay – triumphant
Surya – sun god
Vasu – excellent
Vihaan – dawn
Vivek – distinction
For more, consult our lists of Indian Names and Hindi Names.