Hindi Names for Boys

Hindi names for boys have their roots in the musical Hindi language, which is one of the five most spoken languages in the world. But powerful Hindi baby names remain remarkably underused outside of the South-Asian subcontinent, even though many strong and simple Hindi boy names — like Navin, Ravi and Rohan — feel like they could travel anywhere. From Vikram to Vivaan, we think these Hindi boys' names have a special kind of energy and vibrancy, thanks to their spiky consonant sounds and eye-catching double vowels.

Find our full list of striking boy baby names of Hindi origin here. The top names below rank among the current US Top 1000 Baby Names and are ordered by popularity. Unique names rank below the Top 1000 and are listed alphabetically.
  1. Aarav
    • Origin:

      Hindi
    • Meaning:

      "peaceful"
    • Description:

      Aarav is derived from the Sanskrit root "rav," which is related to peace and music. Aarav is also associated with the concept of wisdom. It has traditionally been a common name among Hindus, who intentionally select names to inspire particular values in their children.
  2. Rohan
    • Origin:

      Irish, Scottish, Hindi, Urdu, Sanskrit ,"rowan tree; redhead; sandalwood; ascension"
    • Meaning:

      "rowan tree; redhead; sandalwood; ascension"
    • Description:

      Simultaneously a name of Hindi and Sanskrit origin, a spelling variation of the popular Rowan and an anglicized form of Irish Ruadhán, Rohan is a cross-cultural choice.
  3. Ravi
    • Origin:

      Hindi
    • Meaning:

      "sun; conferring"
    • Description:

      A title of the Hindu sun god, made cross-culturally famous by sitar player Ravi Shankar.
  4. Dhani
    • Origin:

      Hindi
    • Meaning:

      "rich"
    • Description:

      Dhani is a haunting Hindi name for boys that's a million miles away from the similar-sounding Danny or Donny. One notable namesake is musician Dhani Harrison, look-alike son of Beatle George. He is named after the sixth and seventh notes of the Indian music scale, 'dha' and 'ni'. 'Dhani' is also a raga in north Indian classical music. Another noted bearer is longtime NFL linebacker Dhani Jones.
  5. Sajan
    • Origin:

      Hindi
    • Meaning:

      "beloved"
    • Description:

      An attractive and worldly name for a cherished baby son.
  6. Pan
    • Origin:

      Greek
    • Meaning:

      "all or shepherd"
    • Description:

      Pan is the Greek god with the legs of a goat and the body of a pipes-playing man known for his mischievousness. Pan is also the god of shepherds, pastures, and fertility. Pan is also a Hindi name meaning leaf or feather.
  7. Varan
    • Origin:

      Hindi
    • Meaning:

      "water god"
    • Description:

      Unusual and simple: a winning combination. But it was the name of a fifteen-thousand-ton monster in a midcentury "Godzilla" movie.
  8. Siddharth
    • Origin:

      Sanskrit
    • Meaning:

      "one who has accomplished a goal"
    • Description:

      Siddhartha Gautama was one of the real names of Buddha, making this an impressive and weighty name among the Buddhist community.
  9. Sahil
    • Origin:

      Hindi
    • Meaning:

      "guide, leader"
    • Description:

      A name that could set an Indian boy on a path to leadership.
  10. Sitara
    • Origin:

      Urdu from Persian
    • Meaning:

      "star"
    • Description:

      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.
  11. Rajah
    • Origin:

      Arabic and Sanskrit
    • Meaning:

      "hope; ruler"
    • Description:

      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.
  12. Navin
    • Origin:

      Hindi
    • Meaning:

      "new, novel"
    • Description:

      Would fit right in with the currently popular in/an/en/on-ending boys' names.
  13. Vivaan
    • Origin:

      Hindi
    • Meaning:

      "full of life"
    • Description:

      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.
  14. Kamal
    • Origin:

      Hindi; Arabic
    • Meaning:

      "lotus; perfect, perfection"
    • Description:

      Kamal carries two positive associations: one of the ninety-nine qualities of Allah listed in the Quran and the evocative lotus flower. Americans might recognize it as the male equivalent of Kamala, as in Vice President Kamala Harris.
  15. Vikram
    • Origin:

      Hindi
    • Meaning:

      "valorous"
    • Description:

      Another traditional Indian name, best known here via novelist Vikram Seth.
  16. Balin
    • Origin:

      Hindi
    • Meaning:

      "mighty sword"
    • Description:

      Unusual Asian option, and also the name of the Dwarf Lord from Lord of the Rings.
  17. Ganesha
    • Origin:

      Hindi
    • Meaning:

      "fortunate"
    • Description:

      The name of the Hindu elephant-headed god of success and wisdom, son of Shiva and Parvati.
  18. Aleem
    • Origin:

      Hindi
    • Meaning:

      "knowledgeable"
    • Description:

      Surname of a noted modern Urdu poet.
  19. Arjun
    • Origin:

      Hindi
    • Meaning:

      "bright, shining, white"
    • Description:

      Popular in India and among Indo-Americans, this name of the hero of a famous Hindu epic has an extremely pleasing sound.
  20. Devraj
    • Origin:

      Hindi
    • Meaning:

      "ruler of the gods"
    • Description:

      An imposing meaning, an appealing sound.