Indian Baby Boy Names You'll Want For Your Son
If you've welcomed a baby, you know that, while the hardest part of the journey is over, you've moved on to the next obstacle: deciding what to call him. All parents want to give their children special names that will endure for a lifetime — after all, the name stands out as the foremost part of anyone's identity. If you're planning to name your bundle of joy something meaningful, look no further than this rich spectrum of Indian baby boy names.
India is known the world over for its syncretic heritage that thrives on a celebration of diversity. The Asian continent has, throughout its history, been a hub of spiritual activity, drawing from a medley of cultural origins and languages. India, therefore, comprises a population with names that honor these varied roots in which the country prides itself. Names in India usually carry deep significance that derive from ancient phenomena — including religion, astrology, and numerology – that are an inseparable part of the subcontinent's way of life. The title each baby is blessed with is a commemoration of those traditions (per Verywell Family).
From names that exude serenity in describing specific experiences to heavyweight names that burn with fiery passion, this catalog of Indian baby boy names has it all. Go ahead and pick the perfect one for your son!
Aarav
Aarav, with its contemporary ring that doesn't miss out on significant denotations, is a popular choice of name many parents in India opt for today. The name is typically associated with peaceful sounds or even noiselessness, as well as wisdom, per Baby Name DNA. Its meanings are extracted from the Sanskrit root word rav, which connotes values of serenity and calm.
BabyCenter suggests Aarav's links to sound go further in nature to signify more visceral noises like thunder or the hum of bees. The name evidently poises itself as a confluence of all that is soothing and pacific, rendering its owner as someone who would feel secure in immersing himself in quietude, unafraid to go deep into his thoughts. Now, isn't that the kind of self-possession many of us would like to affirm?
On a side note, it may interest you to know that the son of one of India's biggest actors, Akshay Kumar, is named Aarav. Following his birth in 2002, the name was splashed in the media across headlines, which helped draw attention to it. Data cited by Oh Baby! Names shows Aarav managed to enter the ranking charts of names popular in the U.S. in 2008.
Rohan
One of the most popular, familiar names in use in India for boys, Rohan has a complex, layered origin. Given its predominance in the country, it may come as a surprise that its roots transcend far past the South Asian subcontinent.
As per The Bump, the Sanskrit origins of the name Rohan (pronounced ro-hunn) indicate the movement of ascending, which also means to conquer, climb, or rise. Simultaneously, the Irish origins of Rohan (pronounced ro-haan) lend it the attributes red-headedness (As per ABC News, Ireland boasts of the highest per capita percentage of redheads in the world, perhaps explaining the distinct meaning of Rohan in the Irish context). Rohan also finds mention in the Gaelic language centred around Ireland through the variation Rowan. Meanwhile, Rohan is also a noble lineage in France, used as a family name or surname, instead of as a first name (as is popular in the Indian context). "Lord of the Rings" fans will, of course, recognize Rohan as the kingdom of Men where the Eorlingas lived.
FirstCry Parenting suggests the Indian name Rohan can also hold a reference to a river that flows in paradise. The name also has an association to Lord Vishnu, a principle Hindu deity, part of the religion's triad of supreme divine energy (via the BBC). In Arabic, the name Rohan means kindhearted, making it a popular choice for both boys and girls.
Ishaan
Ishaan is a common name for boys in India — so common, in fact, that it would be hard to find a single person who doesn't know an Ishaan. The name has roots in the ancient Sanskrit language, derived from the word isha, meaning master or supreme being, per Oh Baby! Names.
The name Ishaan is predominantly associated with Lord Shiva, one of the three Gods of the supreme divinity trinity in Hinduism. Though Hindu mythology mentions Shiva as having many avatars, he is most prominently depicted as having a highly masculine physique and disposition. Known as the Destroyer, per the BBC, the forms Shiva takes are signified by fiery passion. In addition to its powerful religious connotations, the name Ishaan also holds elemental importance. Its meanings are closely tied to the sun, light, and fire, as noted by BabyCenter.
The spelling of Ishaan is malleable, which expands the scope of its meanings. Therefore, the holy significance of the name doesn't stop at Shiva. The female variation of the name Ishaan — Ishani — is an identifier for Goddess Durga, according to BabyCenter. She is considered to be the epitome of divine feminine energy (Shakti) in Hinduism and is one of the most important female deities of the tradition. The name spelled as Eshaan has Arabic roots and is used to mean the worthy one (via BabyNames.co.uk).
Farhan
Of Persian origin, the name Farhan refers to a joyous, exuberant person well-loved by all around him, according to FirstCry Parenting. A popular choice of name for boys in the Muslim community, Farhan invokes hopefulness and positive vibes. It's almost like someone bestowed with this name would be predisposed for happiness.
As per QuranicNames, Farhan is only indirectly mentioned in the Quran, the religious text of the Islamic faith. Unlike many Muslim names — like Muhammad, for instance — that are directly cited in the text, a name like Farhan draws instead from the Quranic root. In the Arabic language, each word has a lexical root generally comprising three consonants. Roots are represented by the core meanings behind them, from which many words can be derived. For example, the root of Farhan is F-R-H6, which indicates joy. According to Muslim Names, multiple names can be conjured from this root — these include Farah, Ferrah, and Farih.
South Asia has known a number of famous Farhans. One is Indian actor-singer Farhan Akhtar, who has starred in successful films like "Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara" and "Bhaag Milkha Bhaag."
Reyansh
Though its origins are rooted in India, the name Reyansh is far from a traditional one. Modern-sounding with its slanted (and might we add, stylish) ey sound, Reyansh has grown in popularity since the early 2000s, with Indian parents seemingly pacing themselves in step with the changing trends of the new millennium. Complementing its fashionable persona, the meanings of the name are particularly tender.
Reyansh, as per Kidadl, refers to the first early rays of sunlight. Ansh means a part and, in fact, is another common name for boys in India. In addition to the element of light, the name also holds references to water. Rey means stream, which denotes that Reyansh means a part of a stream, BabyCenter notes. Most names in India are not without a religious context, and Reyansh is no different. A varied spelling of the name, Riyansh, is also understood to be a reference to Lord Vishnu, a supreme deity in Hinduism. Against that background, the significance of the name Reyansh is exceptional.
Interestingly, the name has also seen moments of increased popularity in the U.S. as well. Baby Name DNA placed Reyansh among the "fastest-growing boys' names" in the last 10 years, making it to the top 1000 most popular names in the U.S. in 2014, in 995th place.
Kabir
Kabir is a beautiful name that symbolizes the confluence of Hindu-Muslim syncretism in the subcontinent, with both religions appreciating the name in their respective traditions. Most notably, Kabir was the name of a great mystic poet who lived and wrote in the Indian subcontinent during the 15th century.
The circumstances of his birth remain a mystery to date, but, interestingly, the figure of Kabir is co-opted by both Hinduism and Islam. The legend around his beginnings, as reiterated by Britannica, claims he was born a Hindu but raised by a Muslim. Ironically, though Kabir's poetic preachings of peace and communal harmony are held as high philosophy today, as a believer of truth-seeking outside the tenets of organized religion, he was, in his time, censured by both religions for those same views.
The name Kabir originally derives from the Arabic title al-Kabir, per BabyNames.com, and means great. al-Kabir is recognized as the 37th name of God (Allah) in Islam. Though not heavily used, the demand for the name has remained moderately consistent over the past few years in the U.S., with a rank of 995 in popularity in 2018.
Siddharth
The name Siddharth is as important as it is common in the Indian subcontinent. Being the birth name of the founder of Buddhism, Gautama Buddha, it is loaded with historical and religious significance. The name derives from the Sanskrit word siddha, which means to establish or accomplish, and arth, which refers to a goal or purpose, respectively (via BabyNames.com). Therefore, it literally refers to the essence of accomplishment.
Though the Buddha became and remains familiar by more titles than one — including the epithets Shakyamuni, Bhagavat, and Tathagata (per Britannica) — his birth name Siddhartha (pronounced without the terminal a) is still well-known. According to Behind the Name, Siddhartha ranks among the top 10 most popular names in Nepal, where Buddhism is the predominant religion.
In the U.S., too, Siddharth has steadily retained its position as a sought-after name over the past decade, per Our Baby Namer, which draws data from the U.S. Social Security Administration. It reportedly peaked between 2010 and 2011, when 184 babies were christened as Siddharth.
Veer
The connotations of the name Veer are highly masculine. Veer is a Sanskrit word used to impressively define someone who is brave, heroic, and courageous. A boy called Veer would automatically claim the status of the respect this formidable name commands. In the northern state of Punjab and adjoining regions, veer is used as a term of endearment for a brother or acquaintance who occupies a similar pedestal. It is generally suffixed by ji, a gender-neutral tag commonly used in India as a mark of respect or politeness.
Throughout Indian history, Veer and its close variation Vir have been conferred as a title upon brave-hearted male warriors, which fittingly justifies the meanings behind it. In fact, India's highest gallantry awards for wartime valour draw on the name's significance and are, thus, called Param Vir Chakra, Maha Vir Chakra, and Vir Chakra.
Like most names in India, Veer, too, is rooted in religion. According to FirstCry Parenting, along with its other descriptive meanings, Veer is taken to be a shortened form of Mahavira, one of the primary spiritual figures in Jainism. The 24th and final tirthankara (leader) of the religion, Mahavira preached the tenets of Jainism during the 6th century BCE. One of the oldest religions in the world, Jainism constitutes the faith of 0.4% of India's 1.4 billion population, per Pew Research Center.
Rishi
The word Rishi is deeply entrenched in ancient Indian history, making it one worthy of being blessed upon a baby boy. Rooted in the Sanskrit language, per BabyCenter, the word refers to an enlightened sage or seer — traditionally a man — who possesses great powers of wisdom and knowledge.
The nuance of the etymology behind Rishi derives from attributes related to movement. According to the Monier-Williams' Sanskrit-English dictionary, a key source of reference for Sanskrit scholars, the root for Rishi in Sanskrit — rs — means to flow or glide in a quick motion. The dictionary further describes a rishi as "a singer of sacred hymns" or an "inspired poet." The name is closely linked to the number seven, since traditional Hindu literature records the existence of a learned class of seven main rishis, collectively known as the Saptarishi.
Besides its pious themes, Rishi is also closely tied to the beauty of the ultimate celestial beings, the moon and the sun, per BabyCenter. The feminine variation of the term is Rishika, and it is not uncommon in India for siblings to be given the similarly named pair of Rishi and Rishika.
Om
There cannot be a more all-encompassing, absolute name than Om in India. For, the significance behind this name carries the weight of the whole universe, according to South Asian spirituality. Om is understood to be the sound of the universe's origin, the primeval sound where it all began (per Verywell Fit). Considered the ultimate sacred syllable, Om has etymological roots in the Sanskrit language, and its first mention goes back to the ancient Hindu scriptures, the Vedas, as explained in a paper by Indology professor Asko Parpola.
Not just the sound, but the sacred symbol for Om, as written in the Devanagari script, is central to the subcontinent's major Indic religions, most notably Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism. You would've seen or heard Om either being chanted, imprinted, or uttered markedly even in the contexts of yoga and meditation; the mantra, according to Britannica, captures the "essence" of the universe and is central to the concepts of the ultimate truth and cosmic knowledge.
In Hinduism, no holy prayers or ceremonies are complete without the recognition of Om. It is omnipresent. And what better identity to give your baby boy than one that subsumes the seeming crux of the whole of creation?
Yash
The name Yash has never lost its popularity in India, remaining relevant and well-liked over several decades. It has Sanskrit origins, per BabyCenter, with meanings that refer to success, grandeur, luxury, and fame — all the things an average person dreams of achieving in life. Who knows, maybe naming your son Yash could very well set him on the path to prosperity measured by all that and more?
Yash as a name for boys is highly versatile, allowing itself to be flexibly used per taste. While many parents pick the name as is for their sons, several others go for an extended version, such as Yashwant, Yashraj, Yashaswi, or Yashas. The Indian film industry, the life and blood of sorts for the country, has brought many a Yash to the spotlight. Hindi cinema's most famous figure with the name was the late filmmaker Yash Chopra whose namesake production house has rolled out several of the films the world knows Bollywood for — from "Chandni" to "Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge."
Though Yash is easy on the tongue with a pronunciation that isn't too demanding, the glory of the name isn't so widespread across countries like the U.K., apart from Indian communities, as noted by BabyNames.co.uk.
Sagar
Thalassophiles will love this one! Sagar, derived from origins in the Sanskrit language, is a name that literally means the ocean or sea. This romantic, serene word has served as the muse for many Hindi songs and poems, commonly used as a measure to denote the vastness of an emotion or thing. In fact, in 1985, the word inspired the title of a whole Bollywood film, albeit with a slight spelling variation — the hugely successful "Saagar" starring actors Rishi Kapoor, Dimple Kapadia, and Kamal Haasan.
But, even beyond the arts, the significance of this word in India is ever-present. Sagar is also the name of a temple city in the central state of Madhya Pradesh and, consistent to its name, is located in the vicinity of a lake (via Britannica). While Sagar is a common forename in India, it is an equally popular surname. According to Forebears, the highest incidence of Sagar as both a first and second name is in India, followed by neighboring nations Bangladesh, Nepal, and Pakistan.
The name Sagar further has a multicultural history to speak of, which associates the word to fluidity in one way or another. According to SurnameDB, the forename Sagar also boasts of Anglo-Saxon and Viking influences that variate its root spelling as saegar, literally meaning sea-spear, with heroic implications. However, the Persian origins of the word sagar relate it to a goblet of wine, per Rekhta.
Prithvi
Give your baby boy the whole world with this name! No, seriously. The word Prithvi literally means the earth. Claiming origins in the Sanskrit language, Prithvi has a strong presence in both Hinduism and Buddhism, key religions in the Indian subcontinent, making it a top choice of name for parents.
The legacy of this popular name for boys is actually gloriously gender fluid. Prithvi is regarded as a key Goddess in the Hindu pantheon, revered as Mother Earth. She finds an equivalent in Gaia, the personified form of the earth in Greek mythology. As explained by authors David Leeming and Christopher Fee in their book "The Goddess: Myths of the Great Mother," the personification of Prithvi appears as a four-armed figure dyed green, the color of the earth. Per mythology, she is the partner of the sky (Dyaus Pita) and mother to dawn (Ushas). Prithvi carries the essence of "life incarnate" itself, regenerating and replenishing the earth with all that is living.
An extended version of the name belonged to one of the founding fathers of the Hindi film industry (now called Bollywood) in India: Prithviraj Kapoor (per Britannica). He was the patriarch of Indian cinema's first film family, the Kapoors, which has contributed to the industry through four generations of actors. "Mughal-e-Azam," released in 1960, remains Kapoor's most celebrated film. Mumbai's iconic Prithvi Theatre, the namesake of a traveling theater troupe Kapoor founded in the 1940s, is named after him.
Samar
The name Samar is yet another illustration of the subcontinent's multivarious heritage. Given how it draws its rather striking meanings from across the Sanskrit, Hindi, and Arabic languages, you will have a tough time choosing the significance you want to attach to your newborn son's identity. Samar is a study in contrasts, part of its origins alluding to highly masculine contexts and part referencing a softer aesthetic, per BabyCenter.
Samar's definitions in Hindi and Sanskrit are closely complementary, both implying the coming together in success or victory, especially as achieved in war (via BabyCenter). The name is believed to trace its root origins to an 11th century Sanskrit architectural theory text called "Samarangana Sutradhara" that's attributed to King Bhoja of Madhya Pradesh. Though the subject matter of the text focuses elsewhere, a paper from Cardiff University says the text's imposing title can be translated to mean a battlefield commander, in possible honor of the royal patron.
A popular variation of the name Samar — Samarjit — is found in India's northern region of Punjab that, again, prides itself on its linkage to battlefield wins. Its implications make Samar a highly masculine name, symbolic of power and supremacy. On the other hand — and on a completely different tangent — lies the Arabic meaning of the name Samar. Typically used as a name for girls in the culture, Samar refers to nighttime or darkness and, more particularly, conversations and poetry that flow into the evening.