The Best Bollywood Names
By JasmineMiller
Updated Wed May 10 2023
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Beautiful and unique indian names inspired by all of Bollywoods biggest actors and actresses, that can easily be used internationally!
- Jacqueline
Origin:
French, feminine diminutive of JacquesMeaning:
"supplanter"Description:
Jacqueline originated as a feminine form of Jacques, the French variation of James, and therefore Jacob. Jacob was ultimately derived from the Hebrew name Ya’aqov, and gets its meaning, "supplanter" from the story of Jacob supplanting his brother Esau as the first-born son in the Bible. Jacqueline was first used in France in the Middle Ages.
- Alia
Origin:
Arabic feminine form of AliMeaning:
"supreme, exalted"Description:
Alia is the most classic and feminine form of Ali, one of the 99 attributes of Allah within Islam. Meaning "supreme, exalted, high, sublime", it is pretty, powerful and spirited.
- Rishi
Origin:
SanskritMeaning:
"sage"Description:
A number of stylish Indian names are making their way to the US mainstream, including wise Rishi. In Hindu mythology, the Rishis are sages and seers; in modern times, Rishi Rich is a popular British-born musician and record producer and Rishi Sunak became Prime Minister of the UK in 2022.
- Rani
Origin:
Hindi, HebrewMeaning:
"queen; she is singing"Description:
Rani, alternatively spelled Ranee, is the female equivalent of Raja in Hindi. In many Indo-Aryan languages it can mean "queen" or "lady". The Hebrew version is used for both genders in modern Israel. Actress Kate Hudson and director Danny Fujikawa named their daughter Rani after Fujikawa's late father, whose name was Ron.
- Arjun
Origin:
HindiMeaning:
"bright, shining, white"Description:
Popular in India and among Indo-Americans, this name of the hero of a famous Hindu epic has an extremely pleasing sound.
- Katrina
Origin:
German variation of KatherineMeaning:
"pure"Description:
The hurricane blew this one out of the realm of possibility.
- Ileana
Origin:
Romanian, from GreekMeaning:
"torch; shining light"Description:
A trendy and fashionable-sounding Romanian name with rich history. There was a mythical Romanian princess with the name, and it was also a name used by real-life Romanian royalty.
- Saif
Origin:
ArabicMeaning:
"sword, protector"Description:
Classic Arabic name seen as both a first name and a surname. The pre-Islamic Arabian Sword is also called the Saif.
- Jaya
Origin:
Hindi-SanskritMeaning:
"victory"Description:
This name of a Buddhist goddess, a possible alternative to the trendy Maya, was chosen for their daughter by Laura Dern and Ben Harper. Jaya is simple yet unusual, a winning combination, and one of the out-of-the-box goddess names as well as one of the most easily translated Hindi names for girls.
- Anushka
Description:
Anushka is a feminine name of Indian origin, serving as a diminutive form of Anu, which means 'atomic' or 'small' in Sanskrit. The name carries warmth and affection through its diminutive suffix. Widely used across India, particularly in Hindu families, Anushka gained international recognition through prominent figures like Bollywood actress Anushka Sharma. The name blends melodic quality with cultural significance, representing both delicacy and inner strength. Though traditional in origin, Anushka has a contemporary feel that travels well across cultures. In recent decades, it has gained popularity beyond South Asian communities, appreciated for its flowing sound and exotic yet accessible quality.
- Vidya
Origin:
SanskritMeaning:
"knowledge, science, learning"Description:
Looking for a strong girls' name that is based on brains rather than looks? Consider Vidya, a name popular throughout Asia, which is connected to the Hindu goddess Sarasvati, who is thought to purify, empower, and uplift the individual. It looks like the name has some power - Vidya Balan is a noted Indian actress who through her portrayal of strong female characters is considered to be an important catalyst for changing the way that women are represented in Indian film.
- Ajay
Origin:
SanskritMeaning:
"unconquered"Description:
A very common boys' name in South Asia, with a strong meaning. Some are bound to pronounce it AJ, as in Soprano.
- Salman
Origin:
ArabicMeaning:
"safety"Description:
Salman is an Arabic name dating back to Salman the Persian, one of Muhammad's companions. In this country it is strongly associated with Anglo-Indian novelist Salman Rushdie, author of The Satanic Verses.
- Varun
Origin:
Hindi, name of a GodDescription:
This name derives from the name Varuna, who in the Hindi faith was the god of water. Varun is, therefore, somewhat analogous to Neptune or Poseidon.
- Aamir
Description:
Aamir is a masculine name of Arabic origin meaning 'prosperous,' 'flourishing,' or 'commander.' This name is widely used throughout the Muslim world, particularly in South Asia, the Middle East, and among Muslim communities globally. Its popularity has been enhanced by notable bearers like Bollywood actor Aamir Khan. The doubled 'a' spelling distinguishes it from the variant Amir, though both share the same pronunciation and meaning. Aamir has seen increasing usage in Western countries as cultural borders blur and parents seek meaningful international names. The name carries positive connotations of leadership, abundance, and success. Its straightforward pronunciation despite the unusual spelling makes it accessible for global use.
- Raj
Description:
Raj is a name of Indian origin that means 'king' or 'royal' in Sanskrit. It has been used throughout South Asia for centuries as both a standalone name and as part of compound names. The name carries connotations of leadership, authority, and dignity. In Western countries, Raj gained recognition through cultural exchanges and immigration, becoming more familiar through Indian characters in films and television. The name is appreciated for its brevity, strong sound, and regal meaning. Raj is particularly popular among Indian diaspora communities who wish to maintain cultural connections while using a name that's relatively easy to pronounce in English-speaking countries.
- Aditya
Origin:
SanskritMeaning:
"belonging to Aditi"Description:
Aditi's seven children, Hindu Gods, are named Aditya.
- Shah
Description:
Shah is a masculine name of Persian origin that means 'king' or 'ruler.' Historically, it was used as a title for the monarchs of Iran (Persia) until the 20th century. As a personal name, Shah carries connotations of nobility, leadership, and authority. In Western countries, it has gained modest popularity among families with Middle Eastern, South Asian, or Persian heritage. The name is appreciated for its simplicity, strength, and cross-cultural appeal. In multicultural communities, Shah serves as a distinctive yet easily pronounced name that honors Persian cultural heritage.
- Aishwarya
Origin:
SanskritMeaning:
"prosperity, wealth"Description:
A popular South Indian name that gained international attention when Aishwarya Rai became Miss World in 1994.
- Ranveer
Description:
Ranveer is a masculine name of Indian origin, particularly popular in North India and among the Sikh community. Derived from Sanskrit, it combines 'ran' meaning 'battle' or 'war' with 'veer' meaning 'brave' or 'warrior,' creating the powerful meaning 'brave in battle' or 'warrior hero.' The name gained significant international recognition through Bollywood actor Ranveer Singh. It reflects traditional Indian values of courage, strength, and heroism while maintaining contemporary appeal. Ranveer has seen increasing popularity both within South Asian communities worldwide and has begun crossing cultural boundaries. The name carries an energetic, vibrant quality that mirrors its meaning of bravery and heroism.