Sanskrit Names for Girls

Often heard in India, this is the name of the Hindu goddess of abundance, beauty, and prosperity, the embodiment of grace and charm --lucky omens indeed. The goddess Lakshmi is worshiped daily in Hindu homes, and has festivals held in her honor.

As an Arabic name, Rania is a variation of Raniya, ultimately derived from the Arabic word ranā meaning "to gaze" or "side look". Other descendants of this root include Ranya and Rana itself. Familiar in the UK, Spain, the Netherlands and France, Rania is currently borne by Rania Al Abdullah, Queen of Jordan.

A popular name in India, several famous Indian women carry this sweet sounding name.

Beguiling alternative to Johanna.

Anoma is name occasionally seen in Sri Lanka, India and Thailand. Its meaning is unknown but likely related to the word meaning "illustrious". It is a name that could easily work in English-speaking countries.

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

Ranie is a gentle feminine name with multiple possible origins. It may be a variant spelling of Rainie or Rainey, connecting it to rain and suggesting a fresh, natural quality. Alternatively, it could be a diminutive of Lorraine or a feminine form of Rani, which means 'queen' in Sanskrit and various South Asian languages. In Hebrew contexts, it might relate to 'ran' meaning 'singing' or 'joyful.' Though uncommon in mainstream usage, Ranie has appeared occasionally throughout the 20th century. The name carries a sweet, unpretentious charm with its soft sounds and simple spelling. Its brevity makes it contemporary-feeling while its various potential etymologies give it cross-cultural appeal. Ranie works well for parents seeking a distinctive yet accessible name with a gentle, pleasant sound.

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

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

A simple, international name extremely popular in India. The word, meaning "song", also appears in the name of the Bhagavad Gita, a Hindu sacred text. Geeta is a spelling variant.

In Buddhism, Dharma embodies the basic principles of cosmic existence--making it a fitting name for the hippyish character on the sitcom Dharma and Greg, whose middle name was Freedom.

Jena is a succinct name with a number of different roots, making it a versatile choice. On one hand, it might be used as a diminutive for the 70s favorite Jennifer, a name of Cornish origin that was hugely popular in a number of countries in the latter half of the 20th century. Jena might feel sleeker and more contemporary to some than the long form.

Lots of charm.

If there are too many Savannahs in your neighborhood, you might consider this. Pavana is a Hindu goddess of the wind.

Lolita without the naughty implications.

Has a sound as lovely as its meaning.

Wise, with vivacity.

For devoted New Agers only: yoga practitioners know this as the center of spiritual energy in the body.

A mandala is the magic circle of Buddhism and Hinduism, a powerful spiritual symbol used in art to represent the universe. It's also an important symbol in Jungian theory. As a first name, Mandala feels both natural and original, always a positive combination, but parents considering it should make themselves away of its deeper meaning.