Sanskrit Names for Girls

Kashmir

Sanskrit, Southwest Asian place-name

Soft and alluring, much like the similarly named cloth, but might have political implications.

Vela

Sanskrit, Latin

"shore, sail"

Vela is one of those rare names that is at once simple, straightforward, authentic, and unusual, at least in the Western World. Besides being an Indian girls' name, Vela is a Southern sky…

Bali

Place-name and Sanskrit

"strength"

Evokes picture-postcard image of colorful Indonesia. Bali Barret is a Paris fashion insider who oversees women's style for Hermes. Bali rhymes with tally or galley.

Rama

Sanskrit

"lofty"

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

Gita

Sanskrit; Latvian; Czech "song; pearl or strength or exalted one"

"song; pearl or strength or exalted one"

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. Gita has also seen…

Padma

Sanskrit

"lotus"

A name rich in Hindu tradition as the alternate name for the Goddess Lakshmi, the embodiment of beauty and charm; currently borne, appropriately, by model-actress-writer Padma Lakshmi.

Raga

Sanskrit, musical term

"color or melody"

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

Rohana

Sanskrit

"sandalwood"

A multicultural choice with a variety of meanings, Rohana could make an interesting alternative to Johanna, Rosanna, Rowan, Rowena, or Roshan. It may be considered a variation of the Hindi Rohan,…

Parvati

Sanskrit

"the daughter of the mountain"

This Hindu goddess name is very popular in India. The goddess of love, fertility and devotion, representing female force, Parvati is the wife of Shiva and the mother of Ganesh. There is a Harry…

Pritha

Hindi from Sanskrit "palm of the hand"

"palm of the hand"

Anoma

Unknown possibly Sanskrit "illustrious"

"illustrious"

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…

Amita

Sanskrit

"infinite"

Feminine form of Amit that's simple and lyrical and close in spirit to a familiar term for friendship.

Bala

Sanskrit

"young"

In India, Bala is a unisex name, but is likely to be perceived as more feminine in the West. In its feminine form, Bala is associated with the daughter of the red goddess, Lalitha Parameshwari.

Chakra

Sanskrit

"wheel, circle"

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

Dharma

Sanskrit

"truth"

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. Students of…

Lalita

Sanskrit

"playful, charming"

Lolita without the naughty implications.

Pavana

Sanskrit

"peacock"

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

Rajani

Sanskrit

"dark, of the night"

Lots of charm.

Ramana

Sanskrit

"beautiful"

Has a sound as lovely as its meaning.

Ranie

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…