By Pamela Redmond · Updated November 2026
Across 17 pages
of 17
Hindi
"primordial"
Pranav, an Indian name now in the U. S. Top 900, represents Aum, or Om, the most sacred syllable in Hinduism, symbolizing the entire universe.
Japanese place name or Celtic
"happy"
Soft, simple, and far more unusual than Tara or Farrah. As a Japanese place name, it's been used occasionally as a surname and is beginning to be used as a first. Nara is also the name of a Hindu…
Punjabi, Sikh
"life, soul"
This short and distinct unisex Indian name is one to add to the appealing list of lively names meaning "life". It was a fast rising choice in Canada and the UK in recent years, perhaps owing to the…
Indian, Sanskrit
"of my own body, an ornament"
Angad is a name of Sanskrit and Hindi origin, that can be used to refer to an ornament or a bracelet, but when given as a name, is more likely chosen to reflect the idea that a child is part of their…
Sanskrit
"one thousand"
Sahasra is a rising Sanskrit name with a powerful sound and plenty of significance within Hindu tradition. Rarely used in the US before 2005, it has been given to at least 50 girls each year since…
"gift"
This Indian name meaning gift or offering feels familiar via sound-alikes Angela or Angelina, and made a brief appearance on the U.S. Top 1000. Anjali is a pretty route to a name that's at once easy…
Arabic, Sanskrit, Hebrew
"archer; pleasing; exalted"
One of the most familiar, and assertive, names found throughout the Middle East and India, Ram has an assertive and solid air about it. Derived from a number of different origins, in English speaking…
Arabic, Greek
"to gaze, to look; heavenly"
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.…
Combination of Callie and Ana, or Kali and Ana, English
"beautiful, lovely"
Glamorous and bright and a little trendy, Kaliana blends Kallie and Ana, which could give you the pretty meaning "beauty and grace" (from the Greek kallos and the Hebrew hanan , respectively).…
"sun god"
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.
Indian, Sanskrit, Punjabi
"kindness"
A popular Punjabi first name and surname, Mehar has friendly sound and a lovely meaning to match. It ultimately emerged as a modern form of Mithra, via Mehr, and is associated with both the 7th month…
Hindi, Japanese
"shadow; sand, bloom + night, palm tree"
A name of both Japanese and Hindi origin, Saya has a bright, sharp sound, reminiscent of Maia and Kaia. Borne by Olympian BMX racer, Saya Sakakibara, wrestler Saya Kamitani, and by weather presenter,…
Hindi; Arabic
"lotus; perfect, perfection"
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,…
"valorous"
Another traditional Indian name, best known here via novelist Vikram Seth.
"the world, the universe, the cosmos"
A Persian name with an evocative meaning, Jahan was notably borne by the 17th century Indian emperor, Shah Jahan, who commissioned the Taj Mahal for his wife Mumtaz. Associated with one of the Seven…
Sanskrit, Hebrew
"light, peace, nation"
Uma is a sweet, strong name for a Hindu goddess... and a Hollywood one. But as popular as Uma Thurman is, other parents have not yet picked up on her name, making it a rarity. Uma is one of the more…
"divine"
This Hindu goddess name has a powerful heritage plus lively sound with a devilish edge. If you're enchanted by goddess names but want to set your little girl apart from all the Lunas and Athenas in…
Korean; Hindi; Turkish; Arabic; Ewe
"this world's beauty or grace; army; to praise; bringing heaven to earth"
Sena is one of those names that is as obscure in the Western World as it is simple and straightforward. Sena exists as a name in a range of languages and cultures and may be pronounced like Senna…
"the earth"
An international take on Dara.
Punjabi
"request, prayer"
This beautiful Punjabi name has seen a sudden rise in diaspora communities — in a recent year, it rose in England and Wales by 300%, and entered the Top 200 in Canada. Popular among Sikh parents, it…
