100+ Unique Indian Baby Names with Meanings

Call him Voldemort, Harry. Always use proper names for things. Fear of a name increases fear of the thing itself.

– J.K. Rowling, HP

That’s the power of names.

Well, I have a few interesting stories about names. My husband’s name is Parul and in India, Parul is a name for girls. My mother-in-law often narrated the story behind his name, how an influential friend visited them when he was born and suggested this name. It wasn’t until he went to school that they realized, there were many girls called Parul and he was the only boy with that name.

The first thing that I asked on meeting him for the first time was about his name. Anyway, now it doesn’t matter, only once in awhile people call me Parul ma’am or Ms. Parul and I have to correct them, saying that I am Rashmi and Parul is my husband. In today’s virtual world impressions are created by name and pictures that one puts up on social media.

A lot of the times our name becomes our first introduction, much before we have even had a real meeting. It is, therefore, necessary that we give much thought to the names that we choose for our kids. Also choosing wisely becomes important as the name that we give to our kid’s talks about us. I am sure one doesn’t want to appear frivolous or old-fashioned by giving a meaningless or common name to their child.

I have a close friend called “Pupul” in college. She instantly became famous because of her cute sounding unique name, when rest of us had common names like Neha, Rashmi, Pallavi, Priyanka “Pupul” did stand out! Though she totally despises her parents for that name I, however, have high regards for them for choosing such a different, meaningful name way back then.

Choosing the right name is mostly one of the most difficult and baffling tasks that confront the new or to be parents. Especially in countries like India where the gender remains a surprise till the end. Your Name is one thing that remains with you forever unless you hate your name so much that you decide to get it changed.

I had started looking for baby names and preparing a list just when I struck my 3rd trimester. However, it took my husband less than a few minutes to zero down on the name for our boy, because the exhaustive list that I had prepared for over 3 months had all baby girls’ names and only a few boy names which made our job easier.

Here I have compiled a list of baby names for boys and girls that I found new, unique and sweet sounding; well that’s my criteria for choosing a name.

Indian Baby Boy Names

A

1. Aabaan- Angel
2. Aadhir- Moon
3. Aamil- Doer
4. Anamaya- Name of lord shiva
5. Araditya/Arayadit – noble conqueror
6. Arain – godly person
7. Anadya – lord Krishna
8. Ashkaan – A dynasty Persian King
9. Avyukt – Lord Krishna

E

1. Eeshayu – Full of strength
2. Emad – Confidence
3. Erman –  Friend of God in Arabic

I

1. Idhant – Luminous
2. Ikshit – Desired
3. Ishaar – God

L

1. Lakshin – Auspicious
2. Lavit – Lord Shiva
3. Lohitaksh – lord Vishnu

M

1. Mahin – Earth

Don’t forget to follow this checklist video while choosing Baby Names – 

N

1. Naahush – An ancient King
2. Nehaan – Affectionate
3. Nihaansh – Beautiful
4. Nabhya – Lord Shiva
5. Nirmay – Without blemish
6. Nirek – Superior
7. Nevaan – holy

O

1. Orion – Son of fire

P

1. Prayan – Supreme intelligent
2. Pranit – Modest
3. Pratyaksh – Ostensible/ Obvious

R

1. Rishaan – Lord Shiva
2. Rishit- The best
3. Rovin – Pleasure
4. Ridhaan – Searcher or seeker
5. Ruhaan – spiritual

S

1. Saadik – Trustworthy
2. Saahir – Wakeful
3. Saamedh – full of strength
4. Shaakyaa – Buddhhaa
5. Satvat – Lord Krishna

T

1. Tarush – Plant/ tree
2. Trishaan – A king of Surya dynasty

V

1. Vyaan – Air

Y

1. Yoram – King (Hebrew)
2. Yrishi – Surprising
3. Yogine – Saint, another name for Lord Hanuman
4. Yuvaan – Youthful
5. Yashmit – Famous
6. Yushaan – Mountain

Z

1. Zane – Gift from God (Hebrew name)
2. Ziaan – Peace
3. Zehaan – Brightness

Here are some Indian Baby Girl Names –

A

1. Aaraa – light
2. Aashika/Aashiqa – blessing/mercury/beloved
3. Araina/ Arahana – Peace/holy
4. Adhira – Moon
5. Aishani – Goddess Durga
6. Aikam – Unity/oneness
7. Aadrika – Mountain
8. Aashvi – Victorious
9. Amaaraa – Immortal
10. Anouk – Grace
11. Amishta – Limitless/eternal

D

1. Divijaa – Born in heaven, heavenly
2. Deetya – Answer to prayers
3. Dwishaa – Direction or disha
4. Dhruti – Valiant/ motion/movement

E

1. Edhaa – Sacred
2. Ekishaa – One Goddess

J

1. Jiyana – Strength
2. Jenisha – Dispeller of ignorance
3. Jainaa – Good character

K

1. Kamikaa – Desired
2. Karnikaa – Heart of lotus
3. Kavika – Poetess
4. Keemaya – Divine
5. Kenisha – Beautiful life
6. Keya – Flower
7. Kaashi – Holy city of Varanasi
8. Krishyaa – Krishna /Shiva

M

1. Mahiraa – Expert, skillful
2. Miraya mira – Krishna’s devotee
3. Mihiraa – Feminine of Sun
4. Manyaa – Honourable

N

1. Nayasa – Affable, new beginning
2. Nirvi – bliss

P

1. Pariha – A land of fairies
2. Paanvi – God, Festival
3. Parashvi – A touchstone that turns iron into gold

S

1. Sahiti – literature
2. Samrata – Wealthy, blessed
3. Sashmita – Ever smiling
4. Saraa – Pure
5. Saarya – Pious woman
6. Saanvi – Goddess Lakshmi
7. Sehaj – comfort
8. Sauraa – celestial
9. Seerat – Innate nature/ Quality
10. Shaarvina – Goddess durga

R

1. Reha – star in Arabic
2. Rheaa – a good hearted person
3. Ruhaani – Soulful
4. Rayaa – Flow

T

1. Teesta – A river
2. Thea – light in Greek
3. Tvesha – bright
4. Twishaa – Bright
5. Tushita – Satisfied
6. Tishyaa – Auspicious fire
7. Trisha -Thirst
8. Twarita – Goddess Durga

V

1. Vaayaala – Time
2. Viyaa/Vihaa – Heaven
3. Varalika – Goddess Durga

Z

1. Zeniaa – Welcoming
2. Zihvaah – God
3. Ziaah – Enlightened
4. Zuhaa – The morning star

While deciding a name we must also consider the pronunciation. An easy to pronounce name has less scope of being spoilt or tweaked by mispronunciation and fewer chances of being understood as something else.

In today’s world while we would like our child to have a unique Indian name close to our roots we must also keep in mind that the child will grow up and go places, so the name that we give must be simple to understand by people of other nationalities too.

Hope I was able to help you in choosing a good, meaningful name for your little one.