Indian Baby Names

Simple but sophisticated, Nisha is a pretty Sanskrit choice that hit the popularity charts in England in the late 1990s. The meaning "night" adds a slightly mystical element to name and it is a hugely popular choice in India, used across multiple languages.
 
Notable bearers of the name include chef Nisha Katona and actresses Nisha Nayar, Nisha Adhikari, Nisha Agarwal, and Nisha Rawal. 
 
Beside its Sanskrit origins, the name Nisha may occasionally be used as an anglicization of the Irish Naoise.

Nisha

Aleem

While Amara is more popularly used as a feminine name in the US, the UK, The Netherlands, and Puerto Rico, it is often used as a masculine choice in India, Nepal, and Sierra Leone. The name refers to absolute immortality in Sanskrit, while in Arabic, it refers to someone who lives a long and thriving life. Footballers Amara Nallo, Amara Diouf, and Amara Darboh are notable male bearers.

Amara

Simple and worldly, popular and carrying two positive meanings in two diverse cultures. A winner prime for wider use.

Amit

A name of Sanskrit and Hindi origin, Tanaya has a versatile and spirited sound and an endearing meaning, celebrating familiar connections. Familiar in India and Bangladesh, a notable bearer is actress Tanaya Beatty. 

Tanaya

A name with a thoughtful meaning, Dhyana comes from the Sanskrit word for meditating. It has spiritual significance in Buddhism (in which its linked to a state of equanimity, awareness and concentration), and in Hinduism and Jainism too (in which it is associated with self-knowledge and contemplation).
 
The name may occasionally be used as an alternative spelling of Diana ("divine"), perhaps to reflect its pronunciation in Latin America (da-YA-na) or in Croatian, Albanian, Serbian, and Slovene.

Dhyana

Not to be confused with Meghan, Megha is a pretty but impactful name of Sanskrit origin, popularly used in India. A similar name is Meghana, associated with the rainy season. 

Megha

A strong, handsome Indian name with cross-cultural appeal.

Tarak

A variation of Amrita, Amrutha ultimately derives from the Sanskrit amṛta, literally meaning "immortal". More figuratively and spiritually, it appears in Hindu texts as the name given to a drink or nectar that grants eternal life.
 
Other forms of the name include Amruta and Amrita, and the masculine Amrit.

Amrutha

Ishana

Simple but sophisticated, Neera is a name of Sanskrit origin with an elemental and floral meaning. Used as a feminine form of Neeraj ("waterlily") or an elaboration of Neer ("water"), it is a familiar choice across in India. 
 
The name is occasionally used as an Italian variation of the Greek Neaira, meaning "new, younger" or of Deianira meaning "to slay". Other sources suggest that it's a feminine form of Nero, however, meaning "black" or "wise army". 
 
Appearing in the title of a 2025 Sri Lankan film, Neera is notably borne by political consultant Neera Tanden, activist and academic Neera Desai, and the first female spy in India, Neera Arya.

Neera

A gentle Hindi name, ultimately from the Sanskrit śāntī, Shanti may equally refer to a state of mental and physical peace, maintained despite any stresses or difficulties and Hindu prayers for peace, also known as a Shanti Mantras . 
 
American actor Nick Nolte used it for his daughter in 2008.

Shanti

A spelling variation of Ayra, this bright sounding name is well used in India, and certainly has the potential to catch on elsewhere too. Pronounced "EYE-rah", the name is reminiscent of some of the most stylish girl names today, such as Ayla, Isla, and Iris. With its cross-cultural appeal, Ayrah recently entered the England and Wales Top 1000 where it joined the Ayra, which is also on the rise.

Ayrah

Popular in Hungary, but rare elsewhere, Soma is a botanical boy name, relating to the dogwood tree, notable for its white blooms and red twigs. Pronounced as SHO-maw, it ranked at #36 in its native country in a recent count.
 
Soma may also be used among Hindu parents, due to its appearance as a ritual drink or an elixir in the early Hindu scripture, the Vedas. Associated with immortality, it comes from Sanskrit, meaning "to extract", and the drink is personified in the scriptures as a Vedic God, often related to the moon god Chandra. Used as a unisex name, it would be pronounces so-ma. 
 
Finally, Soma, also written as Sōma, can be a Japanese name, meaning "sound of the wind, sudden" or "pale, blue" combined with "real, genuine". It appears in the animated series Castlevania, where all its various meanings may be perceived relevant to the character, a reincarnation of Dracula.

Soma

In Hindu tradition, Indra is the warrior god of sky and rain, whose name is often used as element of other names, such as Jaswinder or Rajendra. Its use as a feminine name may come from the Western world hearing it as feminine (thanks to Alexandra, Indira, or similar), or simply as a shortening of Indrani (meaning "wife of Indra").
 
In Latvia and Lithuanian, however, it is a girl name, inspired by Indraja, meaning "reed". In Lithuanian mythology, Indraja was the personification of Jupiter, associated with the aforementioned Hindu god, and known as "the water witch". Additionally, Indra may come from the Latvian Indra River, also known as the Indrica, and as such, a feminine form of Indriķis, a Latvian form of Henry.

Indra

A multicultural name that manages to sound soft and strong at the same time, Kamala is also another name for the Hindu goddess Lakshmi.

 Vice President Kamala Harris, who describes her own name's pronunciation as COMMA-la, is the first Indian-American and the first Black woman to run on a US Presidential ticket for a major party. Kamala Harris's mother was Indian and her father is Jamaican.

 A rising star in the Democratic Party, Harris was sworn in as her state's junior senator in January 2017 and instantly became one of the most visible critics of the Trump Administration. She makes Kamala one of the most recognizable <a href="https://nameberry.com/baby-names/539/hindi-names-for-girls">Hindi names for girls</a>, with a strong sound and international appeal.

Kamala

Nalini is a lovely Indian name virtually unknown in the US, though that may change with the publication of Nalini Jones' novel The Unbroken Coast.

Nalini

Indian princely title, more exciting than Prince or Duke, that is also a widely-used name for both genders. In the US, the names Rajah and Raja are uncommon: Ten baby boys were named Rajah last year and 18 were given the Raja spelling.

Rajah

Indian choice meaning fire in step with American styles. 

Anala

Sometimes used as a variation of Gina, a short form of Eugenia, Georgina, Virginia, Regina, and similar, Jina is also an anglicized form of the Korean Jin-a and Ji-na meaning "precious child" and "wisdom, intelligence + elegance" respectively. 
 
Additionally, it may be used as a Swahili name meaning "to walk", and a Sanskrit name used in a variety of other languages meaning "to live".

Jina

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 8)

Indian Names