By Pamela Redmond · Updated September 2026
Across 9 pages
of 9
Hindi, Sanskrit
"water, liquid"
A succinct and elemental name, Neer derives from Sanskrit and Hindi word for "water". Used in a variety of languages across the Indian subcontinent, it is heard more popularly as part of the name…
Sanskrit
"night"
Simple but sophisticated, Nisha is a pretty Sanskrit choice that hit the popularity charts in England in the late 1990s. The meaning "night" adds a slightly mystical element to name and it is a…
Hindi
"knowledgeable"
Surname of a noted modern Urdu poet.
"daughter, belonging to one's family, child of mine"
A name of Sanskrit and Hindi origin, Tanaya has a versatile and spirited sound and an endearing meaning, celebrating familiar connections. Familiar in India and Bangladesh, a notable bearer is…
"cloud; rain cloud"
Not to be confused with Meghan, Megha is a pretty but impactful name of Sanskrit origin, popularly used in India. A similar name is Meghana, associated with the rainy season.
"desire"
Pretty Asian option.
"water, waterlily"
Simple but sophisticated, Neera is a name of Sanskrit origin with an elemental and floral meaning. Used as a feminine form of Neeraj ("waterlily") or an elaboration of Neer ("water"), it is a…
"peace"
A gentle Hindi name, ultimately from the Sanskrit śāntī , Shanti may equally refer to a state of mental and physical peace, maintained despite any stresses or difficulties and Hindu prayers for…
Hungarian tree name, Hindi, Sanskrit, Japanese
"Dogwood tree; elixir, to extract; sound of the wind + genuine"
Popular in Hungary, but rare elsewhere, Soma is a botanical boy name, relating to the dogwood tree, notable for its white blooms and red twigs. Pronounced as SHO-maw, it ranked at #36 in its native…
Hindi, Hawaiian
"lotus or pale red; or, a garden"
A multicultural name that manages to sound soft and strong at the same time, Kamala is also another name for the Hindu goddess Lakshmi. Vice President Kamala Harris, who describes her own name's…
Arabic and Sanskrit
"hope; ruler"
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…
"fire"
Indian choice meaning fire in step with American styles.
Hindi, Persian, Greek
"friend; earth mother"
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. Notable bearers of Mitra…
Hindi; Greek
"to seize; joy"
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…
"new, fresh"
A sleek, sharp name that travels well, it likely derives from the Sanskrit nava , meaning "new, fresh". Navin and Naveen are masculine forms.
Hindi, Hebrew, and Choctaw
"friendly, to plant, and bear"
One of those slender names, like Lena or Etta, that's used in several cultures and carries a range of meanings. But by being so many things, it doesn't feel decidedly like anything.
"to extract"
Appearing in an early Hindi scripture, The Vedas, Soma is the name of both a ritual drink or elixir, and of a deity, often connected to the moon god Chandra. The drink is sometimes interpreted as…
"beloved"
An attractive and worldly name for a cherished baby son.
"rain"
This Indian name with a Slavic sound definitely has potential.
"knowledge"
Derived from the Sanskrit word for "knowledge", Vedaa appeared in the title of a 2024 Indian action film about a law student who leans to box so she can protect her family from caste-based violence.…
