Indian Baby Names

This variation of the popular Indian name Sanjay was borne by a popular-against-all-odds American Idol contestant.

Sanjaya

A name commonly used in India; Vasant Panchami is a Hindu festival dedicated to the goddess of learning. 

Vasant

Viro is an uncommon masculine name with multiple possible origins. It may derive from Latin roots, where "vir" means "man" or "hero," suggesting strength and masculinity. Alternatively, it could have Finnish connections, where "viro" refers to Estonia or the Estonian language. In some Slavic contexts, it might be a diminutive of names containing "vir." Viro's brevity gives it a modern, minimalist appeal that works well internationally. The name remains quite rare in English-speaking countries, making it an distinctive choice for parents seeking something unique. Its simplicity and strong 'v' sound contribute to its bold, contemporary character despite its classical linguistic roots.

Viro

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.

Mandala

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.

Anoma

Whatever its derivation, best known now in the version used by the jazzy singer, Sade. 

Shardae

A floral and spiritually significant name, derived from nalini , a Sanskrit word meaning "lotus", Nalin is associated with divine beauty, enlightenment, and resilience. Used predominantly as a masculine name in India, Sri Lanka, and the US, in Thailand, Cambodia, and Turkey, it's more likely to go to girls.

Nalin

Likely a variation of the Hindi name Jaya, Jaia is used as a unisex name in the south of India but more exclusively as feminine in the north. Ultimately derived from Sanskrit, the name means "victory", making it a strong choice with a gentler sound. 
 
The short, punchy Jay and Jai are more popular for boys internationally and this spelling has never ranked for boys in the US stats. More traditional Jaya, however, has been given to a handful of boys over the years.

Jaia

While Jay and Jai are more popular for boys, Jaya is considered a unisex name in both the south of India and Malaysia, while in Nepal and Indonesia, it leans masculine. Derived from a Sanskrit element meaning "victory", it is a bright, strong choice, related to names such as Ajay, Jaidev and Jayanta. 

Jaya

Derived from the Hindi word for "determination", Nischay is a name that combines gentle sounds, with a strong meaning. Associated with certainty and strength, it also appears as Nishchay and Nishchaiy in India, and as Nisay in Cambodia.
 
A notable bearer is YouTuber, comedian, and streamer, Nischay Malhan, who has made the name more familiar in recent years. It entered the US stats for the first time in 2024 when it was given to eight boys.

Nischay

A strong and pretty Indian name, notably borne by the central character of hit movie, Bend It Like Beckham, Jesminder has two possible meanings. On one hand, it may be considered a form of Jasvinder, which blends the element yasas with the Hindu god's name, Indra, lending it the meaning "god's glory" or "lord's glory".
 
Alternatively, it is said to mean "queen of flowers", possibly by taking the god's name to mean "ruler, lord", femininizing it, and then pairing it with the floral jaismin.
 
Also spelled as Jasminder, the name could work across different cultures, owing to its similarity to Jasmine or Yasmin and to the possibility of nickname Jess, as used by Jesminder Bahmra in the football-centric movie.

Jesminder

Zippy and multicultural, Sarika can be considered a pretty nature name, referring to a myna bird in Hindi and Sanskrit and to a blackbird in Khmer (or Cambodian). In these contexts, it would be pronounced as SAHR-ka (Sanskrit) and saw-ree-GAW (Khmer).
 
Alternatively, it can be used as a form of Sarah, notably in Hungary, though the spelling Sárika is typically preferred, but also in Spain, Bosnia, and Croatia. In Hungarian, it is pronounced as SHA-ree-kaw, while in Spanish (and likely in English), it is said as sa-REE-ka, and in Bosnian, it is said as SAH-rih-ka.
 
The Indian actress Sarika Thakur, known mononymously as Sarika, is a notable bearer.

Sarika

Possibly a Hindi variation of the woodsy favorite, Rowan, to reflect the Hindi translation of the tree name, rovaan. It appeared in the England and Wales Top 1000 in a recent year.

Rovan

Nemi is a short, sweet unisex name, with a whole range of origins, though for boys, it is most notably used as either a short form of Biblical Nehemiah, or as the birth name of King Dasharatha who appears in the Hindu epic, the Ramayana. Other possibilities are that it comes from the Latin Nemesis ("enemy"), nemus ("holy wood"), or Nemo ("nobody") or a shortened form of Neminatha, the name of a surpreme preacher of Jainism.

Nemi

Abeeja is an uncommon feminine name with possible roots in several cultures. It may be related to the Sanskrit word 'abja' meaning 'born from water' or 'lotus.' Alternatively, it could be a creative variation of 'abeja,' the Spanish word for 'bee,' symbolizing industriousness and community. The name has a melodic quality with its flowing vowels and soft consonants. While rare in mainstream usage, Abeeja appeals to parents seeking a distinctive name with an exotic feel. Its uniqueness makes it unlikely to be shared with classmates, while its pleasant sound and potential nature-based meanings give it an appealing quality for those looking beyond traditional naming conventions.

Abeeja

Short and snappy with an appealing meaning, Ratna is a Hindi name, derived from a Sanskrit word meaning "jewel" or "treasure". While some English speakers may be put off by the "rat" beginning, in Hindi it would be said more gently, more like rut to rhyme with put.
 
The rapper and singer known professionally as Doja Cat has Ratna as one of her middle names (full name: Amala Ratna Zandile Dlamini), while another notable bearer is Ratna Rajya Lakshmi Devi Shah, the former Queen of Nepal. There's also Ratna Sari Dewi Sukarno, better known as Dewi Fujin, a TV personality, businesswoman, and socialite, and wife of the first President of Indonesia, and there's the actress Ratna Pathak too.
 
Popular in India and in Indonesia where it is predominantly used on girls, it is considered a unisex name and is given more noticeably to boys in Nepal and Qatar. Other variations include Rathna, Ratan, and Ratnam.

Ratna

Lovely, international, tea-scented possibility undiscovered by baby names.
 
Ceylon may ultimately be derived from the Sanskrit siṃhala, meaning "island of lions" or "abundance of lions."

Ceylon

This variation of Chandra — a Hindi moon goddess — is primarily used in South Africa.

Chandre

A charming Indian color name with mythological connections — Chandika is a form of the Hindu goddess Mahadevi.

Chandi

A unisex name of Sanskrit origin, this name — along with its other forms, Ashwin and Ashwina — are used in many languages across the Indian subcontinent. It is associated with the Ashvins, the twin Hindu gods of sunrise and sunset, and Ashvini, the first star that appears in the sky and makes up part of the Aries constellation. The name means "possessed of horses" from the Sanskrit aśvin, though other sources link it to light. Bridgerton and Sex Education star Simone Ashley has Ashwini as a middle name, while Indian actress Ashwini Kalsekar and Indian politician Ashwini Vaishnaw bear it as a first name.

Ashwini

Most Indian names known in the wider world derive from either Hindi, the dominant language of India, or Sanskrit, the ancient Indian language. The Indian names on Nameberry also include a sprinkling of Punjabi and Urdu names.

Indian baby names that are most familiar around the world are usually the names of celebrities, such as Dev Patel or Priyanka Chopra. Some Indian names have become known internationally thanks to the popularity of Eastern religions such as Buddhism.

that rank in the US Top 1000 include Lila, Arya, Kali, and Veda.

 that rank in the US Top 1000 include Arjun, Aarav, Vihaan, and Rohan.

Browse our full list of Indian baby names here. The names are ranked according to their current popularity on Nameberry.

Indian names including Hindi, Sanskrit, Urdu,and Punjabi names, with meanings, origins, and popularity, including Indian names for girls and Indian names for boys. (Page 14)

Indian Names