Hindi Baby Names
Explore 582 hindi names, each with its own meaning, history, and pronunciation. Find one that carries the stories you want your child to grow up with.
Hindi baby names draw from Sanskrit, Persian, and regional Indian traditions. They are meaning-dense, often tied to deities or virtues, and they carry one of the oldest living naming traditions on earth.
A short history
Sanskrit naming dates back at least 3,000 years and is still the primary source of most Indian given names. The Hindu pantheon (Krishna, Shiva, Lakshmi, Durga) provides an inexhaustible well of theophoric names. Persian influence through the Mughal period added names like Farhan, Aiza, and Zoya to the mix.
Naming traditions
Many Hindu families use astrology to determine the first syllable of a child's name based on the nakshatra (lunar mansion) at birth. A naming ceremony (namkaran) is typically held on the 12th day after birth. Children often have a 'daak naam' (pet name) used at home that differs from the formal given name.
Sound and style
Sanskrit-based names tend towards three syllables with gentle internal balance: Ananya, Arjun, Priya, Rohan, Kavya. The stress pattern is roughly even, which English speakers approximate by landing slightly heavier on the first syllable.
Kaashvi
“Shining; radiant one”
Kaashvi is derived from the Sanskrit root 'kash,' meaning 'to shine' or 'to be brilliant,' and is often interpreted as 'shining,' 'bright,' or 'luminous one.' It evokes the image of radiant beauty and inner brilliance.
Kabir
“Great, powerful”
From the Arabic kabir, meaning great or powerful. The name is deeply associated with Kabir Das, the 15th-century poet-saint whose verses transcended religious boundaries and remain widely recited today.
Kabira
“Great, powerful”
Kabira is the gender-neutral variant of Kabir, derived from the Arabic root meaning great or powerful. It honours the enduring legacy of the medieval poet-saint Kabir Das, who transcended religious boundaries and spoke to the universal human spirit. The name carries both spiritual depth and a sense of quiet authority, making it a distinguished choice for any child.
Kairav
“White water lily”
Kairav is the Sanskrit name for the white water lily (Nymphaea), which blooms at night under the moonlight. The name symbolises purity, beauty, and serenity, as the white lotus is associated with the moon and calm waters.
Kaladhar
“Bearer of the moon; lord of arts”
Kaladhar is composed of the Sanskrit words 'kala' (art, skill, or the phases of the moon) and 'dhara' (one who holds or bears), meaning 'one who holds all arts' or 'bearer of the moon's phases.' It is an epithet of Lord Shiva, who bears the crescent moon on his head.
Kalindi
“The Yamuna River; daughter of the sun”
Kalindi is derived from Sanskrit and refers to the Yamuna River, one of the most sacred rivers in Hinduism, also called Kalindi because it originates from the Kalinda mountain (part of the Himalayas). The name symbolises purity, flow, and divine grace.
Kamya
“Desirable, beautiful”
Kamya derives from the Sanskrit root meaning desirable, beautiful, or worthy of love. In Hindu philosophy, the concept of kama encompasses not only desire but the deepest longing of the soul for beauty and connection. Kamya captures the sense of something inherently attractive and cherished, a name that speaks to both inner radiance and outward grace. It is used widely across northern India and among the South Asian diaspora globally.
Karan
“Ear, Pandava ally”
Karan derives from the legendary warrior Karna of the Mahabharata, one of the most complex and noble figures in Hindu epic literature. The name's literal root relates to the Sanskrit word for ear, but its cultural weight rests entirely on Karna's story: a man of extraordinary generosity, courage, and loyalty who was perpetually denied his birthright. To name a son Karan is to invoke those heroic virtues and to acknowledge that greatness can exist alongside suffering.
Karnavati
“Adorned with earrings; of the ear”
Karnavati is a Sanskrit-origin name meaning 'she who has ears' or 'adorned with earrings,' derived from 'karna' (ear) and 'vati' (possessing or adorned with). Historically, it is also the ancient name for the city now known as Ahmedabad in Gujarat.
Kartik
“Lord Murugan, courage”
Kartik refers to Lord Kartikeya (also known as Murugan), the Hindu god of war and the son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. The name is also associated with the Hindu month of Kartik, a period considered especially auspicious for worship and spiritual practice. It carries connotations of courage, divine protection and youthful energy.
Kashvi
“Shining; radiant”
Kashvi is derived from the Sanskrit root 'kash,' meaning 'to shine' or 'to be radiant,' and means 'shining,' 'brilliant,' or 'glowing.' It represents a person of bright character and luminous presence.
Kaveri
“Sacred river, divine grace”
Kaveri refers to the sacred Kaveri (Cauvery) River of South India, one of the seven holy rivers in Hindu tradition. The name is associated with purity, life-giving nourishment, and divine grace.
Kavi
“Poet, wise”
Kavi is a Sanskrit-origin name meaning poet or wise person, used across South Asian languages including Hindi, Sanskrit, Tamil, and Kannada. In the classical Indian tradition, a 'kavi' was not simply a verse-maker but a seer, someone whose poetic gift was understood as a form of divine wisdom and insight into the nature of reality. The great Sanskrit epics, including the Mahabharata and Ramayana, were composed by figures described as kavis, visionary poet-sages. The name therefore carries connotations of creativity, wisdom, spiritual perception, and the power of language. It is comfortably gender-neutral and has a clean, modern sound that travels well.
Kavish
“Lord of poets, king of poetry”
Kavish is derived from the Sanskrit word 'kavi' meaning poet, combined with 'ish' meaning lord or master, thus translating to 'lord of poets' or 'king of poets.' It celebrates literary brilliance and creative mastery.
Kavya
“Poetry”
Kavya means 'poetry' in Sanskrit, encompassing not just verse but the entire art of literary expression. It is a name that celebrates creativity, beauty, and the power of language.
Kavyanshi
“Part of poetry, poetic essence”
Kavyanshi is a compound of 'kavya' (poetry) and 'anshi' (part of or one who possesses), meaning 'one who is part of poetry' or 'a fragment of poetic beauty.' It evokes lyrical grace and artistic sensitivity.
Keshav
“Lord Krishna, one with beautiful hair”
Keshav is a Sanskrit name meaning 'one with long, beautiful hair' and is one of the many epithets of Lord Krishna and Lord Vishnu. The name evokes divine beauty, grace, and nobility. It carries a classical weight that connects the bearer to ancient devotional traditions whilst remaining a warm, living name used across India and the diaspora.
Keya
“Fragrant tropical flower”
Keya is a Hindi and Bengali name referring to a fragrant flower, specifically the screw pine (Pandanus) flower, known for its intoxicating fragrance. The name symbolises natural beauty, sweetness, and the delicate pleasures of life.
Khushi
“Happiness, joy”
Khushi means happiness, joy, or delight in Hindi and Urdu. It is one of the most uplifting names in South Asian naming tradition, directly expressing a parent's wish for their child to bring and experience joy. The word is in everyday use across India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh, making it a name with warmth, immediacy, and cultural resonance.
Kian
“Ancient, king”
Kian is a modern name of Indian origin meaning ancient or king, carrying connotations of dignity, timeless authority and noble character. Its short, strong sound gives it a natural confidence, and its cross-cultural accessibility has made it appealing to families across South Asian communities and beyond. The name manages to feel both rooted in tradition and entirely contemporary.
Kiara
“Dark-haired, God's gift”
Kiara has roots in multiple languages, most notably Sanskrit, where it carries the meaning of God's gift or the first ray of light. The name has become very popular in modern India, where its bright, auspicious meaning resonates deeply. It combines a joyful, radiant quality with a spiritual dimension, suggesting a child who is both a blessing and a source of illumination.
Kimaya
“Divine miracle, magical gift”
Kimaya is derived from Sanskrit, meaning 'divine,' 'miraculous,' or 'a magical gift.' It conveys the sense of something precious and wondrous, often used to express that a child is a divine blessing.
Kiran
“Ray of light”
Kiran comes from the Sanskrit word for 'ray of light' or 'beam of sunlight,' evoking warmth, brightness, and the gentle power of illumination.
Kirti
“Fame, glory, renown”
Kirti comes from the Sanskrit word meaning 'fame,' 'glory,' or 'renown.' It represents a celebrated reputation earned through honourable deeds, making it a name associated with achievement and high esteem.
Kirtida
“Bestower of fame, giver of glory”
Kirtida is a Sanskrit name meaning 'one who bestows fame' or 'giver of glory,' combining 'kirti' (fame/glory) and 'da' (one who gives). It is also one of the names of the goddess Lakshmi.
Kishan
“Lord Krishna”
Kishan is a variant of Krishna, the beloved Hindu deity who is one of the most widely worshipped figures in Hinduism. The name derives from the Sanskrit Krsna, meaning dark, black, or all-attractive, and refers specifically to the god Krishna in his role as a divine child, beloved companion, and supreme deity of the Bhakti tradition. Kishan preserves the devotional essence of Krishna whilst carrying a softer, more intimate rustic quality associated with the pastoral world of Vrindavan where Krishna spent his childhood. It is widely used across northern India and among Hindu communities worldwide.
Krish
“Short form of Krishna”
Krish is the modern short form of Krishna, the beloved Hindu deity worshipped across the Indian subcontinent and diaspora. It retains the divine association whilst offering a contemporary, accessible feel suited to multicultural settings. The name carries the full spiritual weight of Krishna, whose story spans devotion, wisdom, and cosmic play.
Krisha
“Divine, all-attractive, blessed”
Krisha is a feminine variant related to the divine name Krishna, derived from Sanskrit meaning 'dark,' 'black,' or 'all-attractive.' It may also mean 'divine' or 'blessed by Krishna,' and is associated with spiritual devotion and beauty.
Krishna
“Dark, all-attractive”
Krishna is one of the most beloved names in the Hindu tradition, referring to the eighth avatar of Lord Vishnu, the supreme deity in Vaishnavism. The name derives from the Sanskrit word meaning 'dark' or 'dark-complexioned', though it is also interpreted as 'all-attractive', reflecting the deity's irresistible charm and divine beauty. Krishna is used for all genders, though it is more commonly given to boys. The name carries within it an entire universe of mythology, philosophy, music, and devotion, making it one of the most culturally resonant names in the world.
Kriti
“Creation, work of art”
Kriti comes from the Sanskrit root 'kri' meaning to do or to make, giving rise to the meaning creation or a work of art. In classical Indian music and literature, a 'kriti' is a particular form of devotional composition, elevating the name to the realm of artistic and spiritual achievement. The name celebrates beauty, skill and the creative spirit.
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