Indian Boy Names
By lindsayweasley
Updated Thu May 25 2023
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- 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.
- Arav
Origin:
SanskritMeaning:
"peaceful"Description:
Arav (sometimes spelled Aarav) is a name popular in India and Pakistan. Jaipur-born actor Arav Choudhary is a well-known Indian personality. Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar chose Aarav for his son's name.
- Ari
Origin:
Diminutive of Ariel, HebrewMeaning:
"lion of God"Description:
Ari, the short form of Ariel (or any other Ari- beginning name, such as Aristotle) stands up better as a boys’ name than its progenitor does. It is also short for Aristotle, as in Onassis, and is a prominent character on TV's Entourage -- the uberagent Ari Gold.
- Arnav
Origin:
HindiMeaning:
"ocean"Description:
This popular Indian name is heard in the US. Bollywood actor Akshay Khanna has a son named Arnav.
- Ashwin
Origin:
Sanskrit, Old English, "possessed of horses; ash friend"Meaning:
"possessed of horses; ash friend"Description:
A cultural crossover with multiple roots. Ashwin is an English surname from the Anglo-Saxon male name Æscwine, meaning "ash tree + friend". It's also a popular Hindi name: in Hindu mythology, the Ashvins or Ashwini are twin Hindu gods of the sunrise and sunset. Either way, it has a soft, strong sound and great nickname potential in Ash or Win
- Avi
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"father"Description:
Avi, the short form of many Hebrew names, is often used on its own in Israel. It entered the US Top 1000 for the first time in 2015.
- Dev
Origin:
SanskritMeaning:
"god"Description:
This name has recently come on the radar via rising actor Dev Patel, who made his mark in Slumdog Millionaire and then in Lion and is also the name of the lead character played by Aziz Ansari in his sitcom Master of None. It could catch on here, at a time when parents are importing other three-letter names like Liv.
- Devan
Description:
Devan is a masculine name with multiple cultural origins, making it an interesting cross-cultural choice. In Sanskrit, it derives from "deva" meaning "divine" or "god," while in Irish it's a variant of Devon, originally a place name referring to the county in England. The name has gained moderate popularity in the United States since the 1980s as parents sought modern-sounding alternatives to traditional names. Devan has a contemporary feel while maintaining a connection to ancient traditions. It's sometimes used for girls as well, though less commonly. The name conveys strength and uniqueness without being too unconventional, balancing modern appeal with subtle cultural depth.
- Ishaan
Origin:
HindiMeaning:
"the sun"Description:
Ishaan is the guardian of the Northeast in the Hindu religion.
- Jai
Origin:
Hindi, Sanskrit, TamilMeaning:
"victory"Description:
Pronounced like Jay, this short name is popular in South Asia and makes for a great English-South Asian crossover choice, used regularly in the UK and Australia. It can also be an alternate spelling of the English name Jay, either short for a J name or deriving from the name of the bird.
- Jay
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"jaybird"Description:
Though this feels like a modern invention, Jay has been in use for centuries. Early Jays often were named in honor of founding father John Jay, whose surname derived from the jaybird. A popular mid-century choice, Jay was in the Top 100 from 1956 to 1970. In the last couple of decades he was replaced by such more elaborate forms as Jayden, Jaylen, and Jayce. But Jay could make a comeback in tandem with cousins May, Kay, Fay, and Ray.
- Kabir
Origin:
ArabicMeaning:
"the great"Description:
Kabir is the 37th name of God in Islam. Kabir is also the name of an Indian poet and mystic saint. In the US, Kabir is on the rise as a boys' name, favored by Muslim parents.
- Kalyan
Origin:
SanskritMeaning:
"beautiful, auspicious"Description:
A strong and stylish Sanskrit name with the oh-so-cool nickname Kal built in.
- Kavi
Origin:
SanskritMeaning:
"poet, sage"Description:
A subtle and attractive name for the child of a poet or poetry-enthusiast.
- Kiran
Origin:
SanskritMeaning:
"ray of light"Description:
Though it sounds like a modern invention, Kiran is a traditional Hindu name from India; chosen for her son by actress Kelli Williams. Author Kiran Desai is a woman and this name, which bears a resemblance to both the Irish (male) Kieran and the fifties favorite Karen, certainly works as well for a girl.
- Milan
Origin:
Italian place name, Slavic, SanskritMeaning:
"middle of the plain; gracious, dear; union"Description:
Effortlessly stylish with an international feel, Milan re-entered the US charts back in 2013 after a 55 year hiatus. It has been powering up the charts ever since, following in the footsteps of sweet sound-alike Mila, and spotlighted by singer Shakira, who chose it for her son.
- Neel
Origin:
HindiMeaning:
"sapphire blue"Description:
If you want people to appreciate this choice, you're going to have to explain how it's not Neil.
- Niam
Origin:
Hindi or ArabicMeaning:
"law; given by God; blessing"Description:
With Liam at the top of the boys' popularity list, parents might discover the still-rare Niam. A name with various origins, Niam can be a Hindi name, deriving from the word niyam meaning "rule" or "law"; an Arabic name - often used on girls - meaning "blessings" or "given by God"; and an Irish name, an form of Niamh.
- Nikhil
Description:
Nikhil is a masculine name of Sanskrit origin popular in India and among the Indian diaspora worldwide. The name derives from the Sanskrit word 'akhila' meaning 'complete' or 'whole', with the prefix 'ni' adding emphasis, thus Nikhil essentially means 'complete', 'perfect', or 'all-encompassing'. In Hindu philosophy, it can relate to the concept of completeness or universality. Nikhil has maintained steady popularity in India and has gained increased recognition globally in recent decades. It's appreciated for its pleasant sound, meaningful etymology, and ease of pronunciation across different languages. The name is often associated with intelligence, perfection, and wholeness, making it a thoughtful choice for parents seeking a name with positive connotations and cultural significance.
- Prem