Hindi Names for Boys
By Nameberry
Updated Tue Jun 09 2020
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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.
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.
- 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.
- Aarav
Origin:
HindiMeaning:
"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.
- Ravi
Origin:
HindiMeaning:
"sun; conferring"Description:
A title of the Hindu sun god, made cross-culturally famous by sitar player Ravi Shankar.
- Surya
Origin:
HindiMeaning:
"sun god"Description:
Graceful Indian choice that may sound feminine to the Western ear but is in fact the name of a male god. One form of worship of Surya that may be familiar to Westerners is the sun salutation in yoga.
- Pan
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"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.
- Siddharth
Origin:
SanskritMeaning:
"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.
- Narain
Origin:
HindiMeaning:
"protector"Description:
Another name for the Hindu god-Vishnu.
- Ishaan
Origin:
HindiMeaning:
"the sun"Description:
Ishaan is the guardian of the Northeast in the Hindu religion.
- Dhani
Origin:
HindiMeaning:
"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.
- Arjun
Origin:
HindiMeaning:
"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.
- Aakil
Origin:
HindiMeaning:
"intelligent, smart"Description:
If meaning were destiny, this would start a boy off on the right foot.
- Reyansh
Origin:
HindiMeaning:
"ray of light"Description:
This unusual Indian name, which refers to one of the names of Lord Vishnu, has been one of the fastest-growing boys' names of the last decade. It first managed to climb into the US Top 1000 in 2014. The nickname Rey Americanizes it.
- Varan
Origin:
HindiMeaning:
"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.
- Navin
Origin:
HindiMeaning:
"new, novel"Description:
Would fit right in with the currently popular in/an/en/on-ending boys' names.
- Sahil
Origin:
HindiMeaning:
"guide, leader"Description:
A name that could set an Indian boy on a path to leadership.
- Sitara
Origin:
Urdu from PersianMeaning:
"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.
- Balin
Origin:
HindiMeaning:
"mighty sword"Description:
Unusual Asian option, and also the name of the Dwarf Lord from Lord of the Rings.
- Vivaan
Origin:
HindiMeaning:
"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.
- Neel
Origin:
HindiMeaning:
"sapphire blue"Description:
If you want people to appreciate this choice, you're going to have to explain how it's not Neil.
- Kamal
Origin:
Hindi; ArabicMeaning:
"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.