If youâre looking for a name steeped in nature or want to pay tribute to your heritage, Indian baby names are a great place to start.
While many cultures tend to favor pretty timid names for women and strong, war-like names for men, this is not the case with Indian names.
Instead, both Indian girl names and boy names focus on common themes such as beauty, divinity, and nature â with some religious references as well.
Weâve gathered the coolest, rarest, most unique Indian first names to inspire all manners of destinies for your little one.
And weâve come to find that even the common Indian names are far from.
To celebrate the birth of your beautiful baby boy or girl, take your pick from our list of Indian baby names below.
In this article: đ
- What are some popular Indian first names?
- What are some common Indian names for a boy?
- What are common Indian names for a girl?
- What are the top 10 prettiest Indian girl names?
- What are unique Indian names?
- What is the best Indian baby name?
- What are some cool Indian names?
- Which is the rarest name in India?
What are some popular Indian first names?
Indian first names blend tradition and modernity, offering meaningful options inspired by nature, mythology, and virtues. Popular choices like Kanav (âwiseâ) and Anaisha (âspecialâ) reflect Indiaâs rich culture while fitting globally. These names are perfect for mamas seeking unique and timeless names with deep significance.
Indian first names for boys
A rich mix of timeless favorites and uncommon titles for your fresh-faced youth:
- Aarush: Meaning âfirst ray of sunâ.
- Avyaan: Meaning ânew beginningsâ.
- Atharva: Meaning âknower of Vedasâ.
- Arhaan: Meaning ârulerâ.
- Ahaan: Meaning âdawnâ.
- Arnav: A nautical name meaning âoceanâ. đ
- Bhaavik: Meaning âprosperity and happinessâ.
- Bhavin: Meaning âbeautifulâ and âblessingâ.
- Chitaksh: Thought to come from the Hindi word cÄ«tÄ meaning âcheetahâ.
- Daksh: Meaning âcapableâ.
- Darshit: Meaning âvisionâ.
- Devansh: Meaning âpart of Godâ.
- Dhanuk: A variation of Dhanushka meaning âwealthâ.
- Dhairya: Meaning âpatienceâ.
- Divij: Meaning âborn in heavenâ.
- Divyansh: Meaning âpart of the divine lightâ.
- Eeshan: Meaning âLord Shivaâ.
- Farhan: Meaning âhappyâ or âjoyfulâ.
- Gauransh: Meaning âa part of Gauri parwatiâ.
- Hardik: Meaning âfrom the heartâ.
- Himmat: Meaning âcourageâ.
- Hriday: Meaning âpart of the heartâ.
- Ishir: Meaning âthe Indian God of fireâ.
- Ikshit: Meaning âdesiredâ.
- Ishaan: Meaning âthe sunâ.
- Ivaan: Meaning âglorious giftâ.
- Izaan: Meaning âobedienceâ.
- Jivin: Meaning âto give lifeâ.
- Kanav: Meaning âsageâ or âwiseâ.
- Krishiv: Meaning âLord Krishna and Lord Shivaâ.
- Kiaan: Meaning âkingâ.
- Kushagra: Meaning âintelligentâ.
- Krish: Meaning âLord Krishnaâ.
- Lakshay: A name meaning âtargetâ or âgoalâ to keep babyâs eyes on the prize.
- Lakshit: Meaning âtargetâ.
- Manan: Meaning âthoughtâ or âreflectionâ.
- Manav: Meaning âhumanâ.
- Moksh: Meaning âsalvationâ.
- Navodit: Meaning ânewlybornâ â it doesnât get more fitting than that.
- Nirvaan: Meaning âblissâ or âliberationâ.
- Nishith: Meaning ânightâ.
- Ohas: Meaning âadmiredâ.
- Parv: Meaning âfestivalâ or âstrongâ.
- Pranay: Fill your boyâs world with love with this sweet Indian name meaning âaffectionâ or âromanceâ.
- Pratham: Meaning âfirstâ.
- Purab: Meaning âeastâ.
- Raghav: Meaning âLord Ramaâ.
- Reyansh: Meaning âpart of a streamâ.
- Ritvik: Meaning âpriestâ.
- Rudransh: Meaning âpart of Lord Shivaâ.
- Saatvik: Meaning âvirtuousâ.
- Savar: Meaning âwaterâ.
- Sahil: Meaning âleaderâ.
- Saksham: Meaning âcapableâ.
- Samarth: Meaning âpowerfulâ.
- Shaan: Meaning âgloryâ or âprideâ.
- Saihaj: Meaning âpeacefulâ.
- Shlok: Meaning âprayerâ.
- Shray: Meaning âcreditâ.
- Stuvan: Meaning âto praiseâ.
- Suveer: Meaning âwell-builtâ and âcourageousâ.
- Tanvik: Meaning âkingâ.
- Tanmay: Meaning âabsorbedâ.
- Tejas: Meaning âsplendorâ.
- Ujjwal: Meaning âbrightâ or âclearâ.
- Umang: Meaning âenthusiasmâ or âhappinessâ.
- Uthkarsh: Meaning âprosperityâ or âawakeningâ.
- Vaibhav: Meaning ârichnessâ.
- Vihaan: Meaning âdawnâ.
- Yug: Meaning âageâ or âgenerationâ.
- Yuvaan: Meaning âyouthfulâ.
- Zain: Meaning âbeautyâ or âgraceâ.
Indian first names for girls
A collection of enchanting Indian names befitting your beautiful little girl:
- Aadrika: Meaning âmountainâ.
- Aarya: Meaning ânobleâ.
- Andal: Meaning âwife of Vishnuâ.
- Anika: Meaning âsweet-facedâ.
- Anvi: Meaning âgoddessâ.
- Bhamini: Meaning âwomanâ or âbeautifulâ.
- Disha: Meaning âdirectionâ.
- Drishya: Meaning âsightâ.
- Ela: Meaning âthe earthâ.
- Hamsika: Meaning âgoddess Saraswatiâ.
- Hrishita: Meaning âjoyfulâ.
- Inaaya: Meaning âgift of Godâ.
- Inayat: Meaning âkindnessâ.
- Ira: Meaning âearthâ.
- Jhanvi: Meaning âGanga riverâ.
- Jiya: Meaning âheartâ.
- Keya: Meaning âa monsoon flowerâ.
- Khushi: Meaning âhappinessâ.
- Kiara: Variation of Chiara meaning âlightâ.
- Mannat: Meaning âwishâ or âvow to a deityâ.
- Miraya: Meaning âdevotee of Lord Krishnaâ.
- Myra: Meaning âbelovedâ.
- Naisha: Meaning âspecialâ.
- Nehmat: Meaning âgraceâ or blessingâ.
- Nitara: Meaning âdeeply rootedâ.
- Pari: Meaning âbeautyâ or âfairyâ. đ§
- Pihu: Meaning âsweet soundâ.
- Pranavi: Meaning âthe goddess Parvatiâ.
- Prisha: Meaning âGodâs giftâ.
- Renee: Meaning âto be rebornâ.
- Rhea: Meaning âof the flowing streamâ.
- Riya: Meaning âsingerâ.
- Rudrani: Meaning âthe goddess Parvatiâ.
- Saanvi: Meaning âthe goddess Lakshmiâ.
- Sara: Meaning âprincessâ.
- Seher: Meaning âdawnâ.
- Shakeela: Meaning âbeautifulâ.
- Sharanya: Meaning âgiver of refugeâ or âsurrenderâ.
- Siya: A name related to the goddess Sita, Siya means âwhite moonlightâ.
- Suhana: Meaning âpleasantâ.
- Tarini: Meaning âthe saving goddessâ.
- Tiya: Meaning âbirdâ.
- Vanya: Meaning âgracious gift of god.â
- Vanita: Meaning âgraceful ladyâ.
- Vaidehi: Meaning âthe goddess Sitaâ.
- Vardaniya: Meaning âa giver of good fortuneâ. đž
- Zaina: Meaning âbeautifulâ.
- Zaira: Meaning âflowerâ.
- Zara: A form of the Hebrew name Sarah, meaning âprincessâ.
- Zoya: From the Greek Zoe, meaning âlifeâ.
What are some common Indian names for a boy?
If you prefer the traditional, here are some of the most common Indian names for boys:
- Anang: Meaning âcupidâ.
- Ananta: Meaning âinfiniteâ or âendlessâ for your boundless wonder.
- Anbu: Meaning âloveâ and kindnessâ.
- Balabhadra: Meaning âfortunateâ or âluckyâ.
- Balakrishna: Meaning âDivine Child Krishnaâ.
- Brahma: Meaning âthe creator godâ.
- Chaitali: Meaning âBorn in the Month of Chaitraâ for babies born in the first month of the Hindu calendar.
- Chaitanya: From the Sanskrit à€à„à€€à€šà„à€Ż, Chaitanya means âconsciousnessâ or âawarenessâ.
- Deshan: Meaning âof the nationâ.
- Durga: A formidable little name that means âinvincibleâ or âimpassableâ.
- Gambhira: Meaning âwell-bornâ.
- Gulshan: Meaning ârose gardenâ or âland of flowersâ. đŒ
- Hanita: Meaning âdivine graceâ.
- Harsha: Meaning âjoyâ or âhappinessâ.
- Harshad: A cute name for your newborn boy that means âbringer of joyâ.
- Himesh: Meaning âlord of the snowâ. What a name for a winter baby! âïž
- Jivan: Meaning âlifeâ.
- Johar: Meaning âsaluteâ.
- Kalinda: Meaning âsunâ. âïž
- Kalindi: Also meaning âsunâ.
- Kalynda: Another shining example of Indian names meaning âsunâ.
- Lakshman: Attract abundance with this name that means âgood fortuneâ.
- Mahavir: An inspiring Indian baby name that means âlittle heroâ. đŠž
- Mahavira: Another heroic name formed from the Sanskrit words maha meaning âgreatâ and vira meaning âheroâ.
- Mahesh: A short form of Indian name Maheswara meaning âgreat rulerâ.
- Nalin: Inspired by the Hindu symbol for enlightenment, Nalin means âlotusâ.
- Naman: Meaning âsalutationsâ.
- Nameen: A variation of Nailin that means âlotusâ.
- Sareek: Meaning âthrushâ â a sweet choice for your little songbird.
- Sareeq: A variation of Sareek that also means âthrushâ.
- Sariq: Meaning âa small songbirdâ.
- Shashi: A beautiful gender-neutral Sanskrit name for your midnight baby that means âmoonlightâ. đ
- Soma: Inspired by the Hindu god Chandra, Soma is a gender-neutral name that means âmoonâ.
- Tippoo: Both elegant and fierce, Tippoo means âtigerâ. đŻ
- Tipu: Another playful boyâs name meaning âtigerâ.
- Udayan: Meaning ârisingâ.
- Umed: Meaning âhopeâ.
- Varoun: A striking name for your growing water baby that means âwater godâ. đ§ââïž
What are common Indian names for a girl?
Can you see that weâre pretty spoiled for choice in both boys and girls?
Similarly, youâll find more common Indian names for girls here:
- Anaka: A pretty girlâs name meaning âsweet-facedâ.
- Aditi: Remind your little one that the skyâs the limit with this melodic Indian name that means âboundless.â
- Ahalya: Meaning âwithout uglinessâ for beauty that shines from the inside out.
- Aja: Meaning âgoatâ.
- Alka: Meaning âgirl with lovely hairâ.
- Amar: Meaning âimmortal oneâ.
- Amata: Meaning âbeloved oneâ. â€ïž
- Ambar: Meaning âskyâ.
- Anala: Meaning âfireâ.
- Angee: Another Indian name meaning âfireâ.
- Anila: Meaning âwindâ or âairâ. đŹïž
- Anjali: A touching girlâs name that means âdivine offeringâ
- Anju: Meaning âone who lives in the heartâ. It captures it all really.
- Anjuli: Meaning âblessingâ.
- Anuradha: Meaning âgoddess of good luckâ.
- Artha: Meaning âwealthâ.
- Candy: Meaning âsweetâ. đŹ
- Charu: Meaning âradiant and gracefulâ.
- Damayanti: Meaning âsoothingâ.
- Devi: Inspired by the Sanskrit word for âgoddessâ, DevÄ«.
- Divya: From the Sanskrit word dhivyĂĄ, meaning âdivine brillianceâ.
- Drisana: Meaning âdaughter of the sunâ.
- Eshana: Meaning âwishâ or âdesireâ.
- Hansika: An elegant Indian girlâs name that means âswanâ. đŠą
- Indu: Meaning âmoonâ.
- Ishani: Meaning âdesireâ.
- Jaya: Sounding like a joyous cry, no surprise that Jaya means âvictoriousâ.
- Kaeya: Meaning âmonsoon flowerâ.
- Lalika: Meaning âa graceful womanâ.
- Lata: A beautiful nature name that means âvineâ.
- Monisha: An encouraging Indian girlâs name that means âintellectualâ. đ§
- Neesha: A softly melodic name that means ânightâ.
- Nisha: Another beautiful name that means ânightâ.
- Rashana: Meaning âa creationâ.
- Rashanda: Also means âcreationâ.
- Salena: Meaning âmoonâ.
- Salina: A name of Greek, Hebrew, and Hindi roots that means âmoonâ.
- Sana: A name of Hindi and Arabic origin that means âbrilliance.â
- Shaila: Meaning âriverâ or âmountainâ for a true natureâs child.
- Shaili: From the Sanskrit ĆailÄ«, Shaili is a name that means âstyleâ. Definitely not one to fall out of fashion.
- Shalee: Meaning âriverâ.
- Shaleena: A variation of the Hindi Shalini meaning âsensibleâ.
- Shalena: Meaning âmodestâ.
- Shalene: Another variation meaning âmodestâ.
- Shanta: Meaning âserenityâ or âcalmâ.
- Shantai: Meaning âpeacefulâ.
- Shanti: A zen girlâs name that means âpeaceâ.
- Shyla: Inspired by the Hindu goddess Parvati, Shyla means âdaughter of the mountainâ.
- Shylah: Meaning âgoddessâ.
- Tanaia: Meaning âdaughterâ.
- Tenaya: Another name meaning âdaughterâ. In Native American, Tenaya also means âgreat [leader]â.
- Tanea: A variation of Tenaya that also means âdaughterâ.
What are the top 10 prettiest Indian girl names?
Whether your newborn daughter fills with you joy or exudes a grace, here 10 of the prettiest Indian first names:
- Anandita: Meaning âhappyâ or âfull of joyâ.
- Anbarasi: Meaning âqueen of loveâ.
- Chahna: Meaning ârenownedâ or âlightâ.
- Diva: Meaning âpowerful womanâ or âgoddessâ.
- Hrida: Meaning âpureâ or âof the
- Kavya: Meaning âpoemâ or âpoetry in motionâ.
- Lavanya: Meaning âgraceâ.
- Samaira: Meaning âenchantingâ.
- Tanya: Meaning âfairy princessâ.
- Nayantara: Meaning âstar of the eyesâ.
What are unique Indian names?
Alluring, enchanting, unforgettable â weâve gathered the Indian names that reflect your newbornâs unique qualities best:
Unique Indian names for boys
Explore our list and see if you find the perfect meaning for your exceptional baby boy:
- Advik: Meaning âuniqueâ, Advik captures babyâs individuality in an instant.
- Akarsh: Meaning âattractionâ or âfascinationâ.
- Anay: Said to be one of the names for Lord Krishna that means âone who has no leaderâ â fitting for a trailblazer.
- Ehsaan: Meaning âfavorâ or âperfectionâ.
- Faiyaz: Meaning âartisticâ. đš
- Jaiyush: Thought to mean âvictorous, long lifeâ from the Indian names Jai and ayush.
- Lauhit: Meaning âThe trident of Lord Shivaâ.
- Nimit: Meaning âdestinyâ.
- Samar: A lovely name meaning âevening conversationâ.
- Shayak: Ensure baby never loses focus with this striking name meaning âarrowâ.
- Viraj: Meaning âmost significant in the universeâ for your one and only solo son.
Unique Indian names for girls
You know thereâs more to your little one than meets the eye so why not pick one of these rare gems:
- Akshara: Meaning âunalterableâ.
- Anaisha: Meaning âspecialâ.
- Arushi: Meaning âred sky in the early morningâ.
- Parinaaz: Meaning âqueen of fairiesâ.
- Eenakshi: Meaning âdeer-eyedâ.
- Khanak: An expressive Indian girlâs name meaning â sweet sound of the banglesâ â talk about distinctive!
- Lasya: Meaning âdance performed by the goddess Parvatiâ.
- Medhasvini: A variation of Medhavini meaning âwise womanâ.
- Nakshatra: A precious name meaning âstarâ or âpearlâ â for a rare gem.
- Oorja: Meaning âenergyâ.
- Urvi: Meaning âboth heaven and earthâ.
What is the best Indian baby name?
It can be difficult to pin down the best Indian name for your baby, but we can provide the most outstanding:
Best Indian baby names for boys
Some standout Indian names for boys include:
- Aayush: Meaning âlong lifeâ or âvigorâ.
- Adhrit: Meaning âone worthy of respectâ â says it all really.
- Aryaman: An endearing Indian boyâs name that means âclose friendâ.
- Divit: An encouraging name meaning âreaching for the skyâ.
- Gatik: Meaning âprogressiveâ â for a forward-thinking future leader perhaps?
- Hridaan: Meaning âa generous heartâ.
- Hunar: Meaning âgood qualitiesâ which we are sure your little one has in abundance.
- Medhansh: Meaning âborn with intelligenceâ.
- Ojas: Meaning âstrengthâ or âlusterâ.
- Ranbir: Meaning âbrave warriorâ.
- Yuvraj: Meaning âprinceâ or âyoung kingâ.
- Virat: Meaning âmajesticâ.
Best Indian baby names for girls
Some formidable Indian names for girls include:
- Aradhya: Meaning âworshippedâ â set those standards high for your little one.
- Charvi: Meaning âbeautiful womanâ.
- Dhriti: Meaning âdeterminationâ.
- Jaisvi: Meaning âvictoryâ.
- Jivika: Meaning âwaterâ or âsource of lifeâ.
- Maitreyi: A name exuding wisdom, Maitrey means âa learned woman of the pastâ.
- Mishika: Meaning âgift of loveâ.
- Naira: Meaning âshiningâ or âglitteringâ.
- Neena: An adorable Indian girlâs name that means âpretty eyesâ.
- Nitya: Meaning âconstantâ or âeternalâ.
- Ojasvini: Meaning âfull of brightnessâ.
- Vedika: Meaning âfull of knowledgeâ.
- Yasha: Meaning âfameâ or âsuccessâ.
What are some cool Indian names?
As cultural delights like Bollywood and Bhangra music continue to grow in popularity, Indian names have begun to develop a pretty âcoolâ reputation.
But how can your little one be the coolest kid on the block? Choose from one of these en vogue monikers:
Cool Indian names for girls
When picking your little oneâs name, its degree of awesomeness has to rank high.
We get it.
Weâve got the some of the coolest Indian first names and meanings to help you pick a worthy title for your rising queen.
- Anala: Meaning âfireâ. đ„
- Adah: Meaning âdecoratedâ.
- Anaisha: Meaning âspecialâ.
- Ananya: Meaning âuniqueâ as well as a reference to the goddess Parvati.
- Asmee: Meaning âself-confidentâ.
- Ishana: Meaning ârichâ.
- Ishita: Meaning âdesireâ or âgreatnessâ.
- Kaia: Meaning âstabilityâ or âfrom the âearth](https://www.peanut-app.io/blog/baby-names-that-mean-earth)â.
- Kashvi: Meaning âshiningâ.
- Kimaya: Meaning âdivineâ.
- Krisha: Also meaning âdivineâ.
- Larisa: Meaning âcheerfulâ.
- Mahika: Meaning âdewdropsâ.
- Mirai: Meaning âmiracleâ.
- Navya: Meaning âyoungâ.
- Rebecca: Meaning âcaptivatingâ.
- Shanaya: Meaning âfirst ray of the sunâ.
- Shrishti: Meaning âuniverseâ.
- Taara: Meaning âstarâ. â
Cool Indian names for boys
From the traditional to the modern, there are plenty of Indian boy names to choose from â you can thank their brag-worthy meanings.
As for what is the coolest Indian name? Weâll let you be the judge:
- Aarav: Meaning âwisdomâ.
- Akanksh: Meaning âdesireâ.
- Alex: Meaning âto protectâ.
- Anant: Meaning âinfiniteâ.
- Bhuv: Meaning âheavenâ.
- Dasya: Meaning âa gift from Godâ.
- Gian: Meaning âmaster of knowledgeâ for your little future genius.
- Hem: Meaning âgoldâ.
- Idhant: Meaning âluminousâ.
- Ishank: Meaning âpeak of the Himalayas.â
- Jash: Meaning âfameâ.
- Jay: Meaning âvictoryâ. đ
- Kahaan: Meaning âuniverseâ.
- Kevin: Meaning âhandsomeâ.
- Laksh: Meaning âdestinationâ.
- Mohammad: Meaning âthe praised oneâ.
- Nimit: Meaning âdestinyâ.
- Raj: Meaning âkingâ.
- Ranbir: Meaning âbrave warriorâ.
- Raunak: Meaning âshiningâ.
- Rishit: Meaning âthe bestâ.
- Sadhil: Meaning âperfectâ.
- Taarush: Meaning âconquerorâ.
- Taksh: Meaning âLord Ganeshaâ.
- Vivaan: Meaning âfull of lifeâ.
- Yash: Meaning âfameâ.
- Zuber: Meaning âpureâ.
Which is the rarest name in India?
Some of the rarer Indian names may have religious connotations but are no less beautiful and the perfect choice for your baby.
Rare Indian names for boys
For your one-of-a-kind son, consider names such as:
- Aaban: Meaning âname of the angelâ.
- Balakrishnan: Meaning âyoung Krishnaâ.
- Calvert: Meaning âshepherdâ.
- Devesh: Meaning âLord Shivaâ.
- Eashan: Meaning âShivaâ.
- Fakir: Meaning âa saintly personâ
- Gangesh: Meaning âLord of the Ganges Riverâ.
- Hardeep: Meaning âlight of Godâ.
- Ishan: Meaning âLord of wealthâ or âsunâ.
Rare Indian names for girls
Unique Indian girl names for your little queen include:
- Arshia: Meaning âheavenly divineâ.
- Baldev: Meaning âthe mighty Godâ.
- Christine: A Latin name meaning âChristian faithâ
- Dharmini: Meaning âreligiousâ
- Gurinder: Meaning âLordâ
- Harbhajan: Meaning âa devotee absorbed in the Lordâ
- Ishwin: Meaning âone who praises the Lord.â
Looking for more unusual ideas on the best Indian baby names for your little one, why not ask the mamas of Peanut?
Best of luck with your choice!