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Indian Boy Names

lindsayweasley
By lindsayweasley
Updated Thu May 25 2023
  1. Ari

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Ariel, Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "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.
  2. Milan

    • Origin:

      Italian place name, Slavic, Sanskrit

    • Meaning:

      "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.
  3. Jay

    • Origin:

      Latin

    • Meaning:

      "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.
  4. Niam

    • Origin:

      Hindi or Arabic

    • Meaning:

      "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.
  5. Rohan

    • Origin:

      Irish, Scottish, Hindi, Urdu, Sanskrit ,"rowan tree; redhead; sandalwood; ascension"

    • Meaning:

      "rowan tree; redhead; sandalwood; ascension"

    • Description:

      Simultaneously a name of Hindi and Sanskrit origin, a spelling variation of the popular Rowan and an anglicized form of Irish Ruadhán, Rohan is a cross-cultural choice.
  6. Kiran

    • Origin:

      Sanskrit

    • Meaning:

      "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.
  7. Avi

    • Origin:

      Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "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.
  8. Jai

    • Origin:

      Hindi, Sanskrit, Tamil

    • Meaning:

      "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.
  9. Taj

    • Origin:

      Arabic

    • Meaning:

      "crown"

    • Description:

      Taj is a cool-sounding name reflecting the magnificence of the seventeenth-century Indian Taj Mahal, chosen by Aerosmith's Steven Tyler for his son.
  10. Samir

    • Origin:

      Arabic

    • Meaning:

      "a friend to talk with in the evening"

    • Description:

      Samir has a pleasing sound and lovely meaning. One of those distinctive names that can also fit right in—and you could always call him Sam.
  11. Vihaan

    • Origin:

      Sanskrit

    • Meaning:

      "dawn"

    • Description:

      Vihaan comes from a Sanskrit word denoting the dawn, but has the symbolic meaning of the beginning of a new age, making Vihaan a wonderful choice for the first baby in a family's next generation.
  12. Rayan

    • Origin:

      Arabic

    • Meaning:

      "land that is lush and rich in water"

    • Description:

      Popular Arabic name for boys and sometimes girls too, that's also a term of authority in India.
  13. Dev

    • Origin:

      Sanskrit

    • Meaning:

      "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.
  14. 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
  15. Kavi

    • Origin:

      Sanskrit

    • Meaning:

      "poet, sage"

    • Description:

      A subtle and attractive name for the child of a poet or poetry-enthusiast.
  16. Ishaan

    • Origin:

      Hindi

    • Meaning:

      "the sun"

    • Description:

      Ishaan is the guardian of the Northeast in the Hindu religion.
  17. Ajay

    • Origin:

      Sanskrit

    • Meaning:

      "unconquered"

    • Description:

      A very common boys' name in South Asia, with a strong meaning. Some are bound to pronounce it AJ, as in Soprano.
  18. 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.

  19. Veer

    • Origin:

      Sanskrit

    • Meaning:

      "brave"

    • Description:

      One of the fastest-rising Indian boy names of the past few years, Veer is a straightforward choice with visual appeal and a striking V initial.
  20. Ram

    • Origin:

      Arabic, Sanskrit, Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "archer; pleasing; exalted"

    • Description:

      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 countries, it may also be considered a word name, associated with a horned male sheep — or a form of computer memory.