200+ Indian Baby Boy Names With Meanings (2026)

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Indian boy names come from a genuinely wide family of languages — Sanskrit’s ancient vocabulary sits alongside Dravidian languages like Tamil and Telugu, and Indo-Aryan languages like Punjabi and Hindi, each with its own sound and rhythm. A name that first appeared in a Sanskrit text centuries ago might still show up on a birth certificate today, just carried through a different script and pronunciation. This list pulls together names that travel well across that range, so you can find one that connects to your family’s specific mix of region and generation.

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Popularity below is calculated from Social Security Administration data through 2024, the most recent year on record.

Here’s what’s in store –

Sanskrit Classics That Still Sound Fresh

Tamil and Telugu Names With Southern Roots

Punjabi and Sikh Names Built Like Sunlight

Names From Hindu Mythology That Carry Stories

Modern Two-Syllable Names That Travel Well

Nature, Sky, and Elemental Names

Names With Devotional Roots

Strong, Single-Syllable Power Names

The good news is that Indian naming traditions are unusually generous. Sanskrit gave us a vocabulary of light, water, courage, and sky that’s been quietly feeding regional languages for three thousand years. Tamil and Telugu hold onto sounds that feel ancient even when they’re brand new. Punjabi names tend to land like a clap on the shoulder — confident, sun-warmed, easy to shout across a backyard. Hindi sits in the middle, borrowing freely and softening edges.

I’ve grouped the names below by feel rather than by alphabet, because a list of 200 names you scroll past does nothing for you. You’re not looking for every Indian boy name in existence — you’re looking for the one that fits a baby you haven’t met yet but already love. Some of these will feel like home immediately. Others will surprise you.

A note on spellings: I’ve used the most common English transliteration for each name, but most of these have legitimate variants (Arjun/Arjuna, Vivaan/Vivan, Ishaan/Ishan). Pick the one that looks right to you.

Sanskrit Classics That Still Sound Fresh

These are the names with the longest paper trail — many appear in the Vedas, the Mahabharata, or the Ramayana — but they’ve aged beautifully and read as modern in any English-speaking classroom.

Arjun

Origin: Sanskrit
Pronunciation: AR-joon · ˈɑːrdʒuːn
Meaning: white, bright, shining
Popularity: #581 and rising (#602 → #581, 2024)

The middle Pandava prince and one of the most-loved names in the diaspora; easy to say, hard to dislike.

Vivaan

Origin: Sanskrit (via Hindi)
Pronunciation: vih-VAHN · vɪˈvɑːn
Meaning: twisting, plaiting
Popularity: #1,858 and falling (#1,280 → #1,858, 2024)

Has overtaken Aarav as the trendiest “new classic” in Indian-American circles.

Ishaan

Origin: Sanskrit
Pronunciation: ee-SHAHN · iːˈʃɑːn
Meaning: ruling lord (an epithet of the deity Ishana, guardian of the northeast direction, associated with Shiva)
Popularity: #998 and falling (#869 → #998, 2024)

Carries a calm authority without feeling heavy.

Aarav

Origin: Hindi/Sanskrit (modern given name)
Pronunciation: AH-ruv · ˈɑːrʌv
Meaning: Peaceful, melodious
Popularity: #675 and falling (#666 → #675, 2024)

Popularized by Akshay Kumar’s son; soft, modern, very Pinterest-friendly.

Reyansh

Origin: Sanskrit (modern Indian coinage)
Pronunciation: RAY-ahnsh
Meaning: Ray of light, part of Lord Vishnu
Popularity: #1,440 and falling (#1,338 → #1,440, 2024)

Newer to the U.S. but climbing fast.

Vihaan

Origin: modern Indian name (no confirmed Sanskrit root)
Pronunciation: vih-HAHN · vɪˈhɑːn
Meaning: Dawn, morning, the start of a new era
Popularity: #957 and falling (#856 → #957, 2024)

The auditory cousin of Vivaan, slightly more grounded.

Aarush

Origin: Hindi/Sanskrit (modern given name)
Pronunciation: AH-rush · ˈɑːrʊʃ
Meaning: first ray of the sun
Popularity: #1,604 and rising (#1,909 → #1,604, 2024)

Lovely for a baby due in early spring or summer mornings.

Kabir

Origin: Arabic
Pronunciation: kah-BEER · kɑːˈbɪr
Meaning: great, big
Popularity: #937 and rising (#1,020 → #937, 2024)

The 15th-century mystic poet’s name; works equally well in Hindu, Sikh, and Muslim families.

Veer

Origin: Sanskrit
Meaning: brave, a hero
Popularity: #1,077 and falling (#983 → #1,077, 2024)

Short, punchy, and a strong middle-name candidate.

Aryan

Origin: Sanskrit
Pronunciation: AH-ree-un · ˈɑːriən
Meaning: noble
Popularity: #782 and falling (#741 → #782, 2024)

A name some families reclaim deliberately; check your own comfort with its history.

Rohan

Origin: Sanskrit (also a French/Breton surname)
Pronunciation: ROH-hahn · ˈroʊhɑːn
Meaning: ascending, rising
Popularity: #840 and falling (#829 → #840, 2024)

Trans-Atlantic and Irish-adjacent in sound, which makes it diaspora gold.

Aditya

Origin: Sanskrit
Pronunciation: ah-DIT-yah · ɑːˈdɪtjə
Meaning: son of Aditi; a group of solar deities in Hindu mythology, hence ‘the sun’
Popularity: #2,128 and falling (#1,954 → #2,128, 2024)

One of the twelve solar deities; common nickname is Adi.

Dhruv

Origin: Sanskrit
Pronunciation: DROOV · ˈdruːv
Meaning: Pole star, steadfast, immovable
Popularity: #1,088 and rising (#1,112 → #1,088, 2024)

A devoted child in Hindu lore who became the unmoving northern star.

Krishan

Origin: Sanskrit
Pronunciation: KRISH-ən · ˈkrɪʃən
Meaning: Dark or black
Popularity: #8,685 as of 2022 — not currently in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Anant

Origin: Sanskrit
Pronunciation: uh-NUNT · əˈnʌnt
Meaning: endless, infinite
Popularity: #4,561 and rising (#5,256 → #4,561, 2024)

One of Vishnu’s many names; quietly philosophical.

Eshan

Origin: Sanskrit
Pronunciation: ee-SHAHN · iːˈʃɑːn
Meaning: ruler or master
Popularity: #5,098 and falling (#4,377 → #5,098, 2024)

A close cousin to Ishaan with a slightly more delicate sound.

Yuvan

Origin: Sanskrit
Pronunciation: yoo-VAHN · jʊˈvɑːn
Meaning: youthful and strong
Popularity: #2,496 and falling (#2,027 → #2,496, 2024)

Shaurya

Origin: Sanskrit
Pronunciation: SHOWR-yuh · ˈʃaʊr.jə
Meaning: bravery or heroism
Popularity: #1,856 and falling (#1,845 → #1,856, 2024)

Pranav

Origin: Sanskrit
Pronunciation: PRUH-nuhv · ˈprʌ.nəv
Meaning: sacred syllable Om
Popularity: #2,271 and falling (#2,212 → #2,271, 2024)

Deeply spiritual without being preachy.

Aarit

Origin: Sanskrit-inspired (modern Indian given name)
Pronunciation: AH-rit · ˈɑːrɪt
Meaning: One who seeks the right direction
Popularity: #8,918 as of 2023 — not currently in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Less common in the diaspora, which is part of its appeal.

Rudra

Origin: Sanskrit
Pronunciation: ROOD-ruh · ˈruːdrə
Meaning: the roarer
Popularity: #1,337 and rising (#1,388 → #1,337, 2024)

For parents who want a name with thunder in it.

Aakash

Origin: Sanskrit
Pronunciation: AH-kahsh · ˈɑːkɑːʃ
Meaning: ‘sky’ — also ‘ether’, one of the five classical elements in Indian philosophy
Popularity: #6,443 and falling (#5,664 → #6,443, 2024)

Spelled Akash just as often; airy and grounded at once.

Ayan

Origin: Hindi/Sanskrit; alternate Arabic root suggested
Pronunciation: AH-yahn · ˈɑːjɑːn
Meaning: path or course (from Sanskrit ayana); an alternate, less certain theory links it to an Arabic word for ‘eon’
Popularity: #871 and falling (#851 → #871, 2024)

Crosses easily between Hindu and Muslim families.

Devansh

Origin: Sanskrit
Pronunciation: day-VAHN-sh · deɪˈvɑːnʃ
Meaning: part of God
Popularity: #1,851 and rising (#2,151 → #1,851, 2024)

A name that sounds like a blessing.

Hrithik

Origin: Sanskrit
Pronunciation: REE-tik · ˈriːtɪk
Meaning: From the heart
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

The actor made it famous; the meaning makes it lasting.

Kian

Origin: Irish (anglicized Cian) and/or Persian (independent name)
Pronunciation: KEE-an · ˈkiːən
Meaning: Irish: ‘ancient’ (via Cian); separately, Persian: ‘king’/’realm’
Popularity: #416 and rising (#428 → #416, 2024)

A four-letter name that travels exceptionally well.

Neil

Origin: Irish
Pronunciation: NEEL · ˈniːl
Meaning: champion (disputed, also linked to ‘cloud’ or ‘passionate’)
Popularity: #863 and falling (#806 → #863, 2024)

The English-friendly spelling many diaspora families default to.

Origin: Sanskrit
Meaning: sacred invocation
Popularity: #2,161 and rising (#2,235 → #2,161, 2024)

Two letters, infinite reach; a beautiful first or middle name.

Tamil and Telugu Names With Southern Roots

Names from the southern states tend to carry distinct phonetic textures — softer vowels, doubled consonants, longer rolling endings. These feel especially right for families with roots in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, or Kerala.

Karthik

Origin: Sanskrit
Pronunciation: KAR-tik · ˈkɑːrtɪk
Meaning: associated with Kartikeya, the god of war
Popularity: #5,320 and falling (#4,808 → #5,320, 2024)

November-born babies share their month with this name’s festival.

Surya

Origin: Sanskrit
Pronunciation: SOOR-yuh · ˈsʊərjə
Meaning: the sun, as the Hindu solar deity
Popularity: #2,696 and rising (#2,837 → #2,696, 2024)

Used across South India as both first name and surname.

Akhil

Origin: Sanskrit (Telugu usage)
Meaning: ‘whole, entire, complete’
Popularity: #5,437 and rising (#5,468 → #5,437, 2024)

Soft, warm, and remarkably easy for non-Indian friends to pronounce.

Vikram

Origin: Sanskrit
Pronunciation: VIK-rəm · ˈvɪkrəm
Meaning: valor or stride
Popularity: #2,302 and rising (#2,310 → #2,302, 2024)

King Vikramaditya’s legendary courage lives in this one.

Tarun

Origin: Sanskrit
Pronunciation: TUH-run
Meaning: young and fresh
Popularity: #12,145 and falling (#8,895 → #12,145, 2024)

Sounds older than it actually is in usage, which is part of its charm.

Nikhil

Origin: Sanskrit
Pronunciation: NIK-hil · ˈnɪkhɪl
Meaning: whole, complete
Popularity: #2,537 and rising (#2,875 → #2,537, 2024)

The Telugu pronunciation gives it a softer landing than the northern version.

Madhav

Origin: Sanskrit
Pronunciation: MAH-dhuhv · ˈmɑːdʱʌv
Meaning: descendant of Madhu
Popularity: #3,422 and falling (#3,390 → #3,422, 2024)

A grandfather-name making a quiet comeback.

Sai

Origin: Persian
Pronunciation: SY · saɪ
Meaning: holy person or saint
Popularity: #2,162 and falling (#2,075 → #2,162, 2024)

Often paired (Sai Krishna, Sai Ram) but stands alone gracefully.

Aravind

Origin: Sanskrit (Tamil usage)
Pronunciation: uh-rah-VIND · əˈrʌvɪnd
Meaning: ‘lotus’
Popularity: #12,276 as of 2019 — not currently in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Aurobindo’s name, with all the philosophical depth that implies.

Bharath

Origin: Sanskrit/Tamil
Pronunciation: BUH-ruht · ˈbʱʌ.rʌt
Meaning: India; also invokes the legendary King Bharata, traditionally regarded as India’s eponymous ancestor
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

For families who want their child’s name to carry the country itself.

Charan

Origin: Sanskrit (“feet”); also a caste name in Rajasthan/Gujarat
Pronunciation: CHUH-run · ˈtʃʌrən
Meaning: most likely ‘feet’ (Sanskrit caraṇa), often used devotionally as in ‘at the feet of the divine’
Popularity: #9,105 and rising (#12,470 → #9,105, 2024)

Sweet and reverent.

Dinesh

Origin: Sanskrit
Pronunciation: dih-NAYSH · dɪˈneɪʃ
Meaning: lord of the day
Popularity: #11,363 as of 2009 — not currently in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Steady, traditional, never showy.

Eshwar

Origin: Sanskrit
Pronunciation: ESH-wahr · ˈɛʃwɑːr
Meaning: the supreme lord or God
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

The southern variant of Ishwar.

Ganesh

Origin: Sanskrit
Pronunciation: guh-NESH · ɡəˈneɪʃ
Meaning: lord of the multitudes
Popularity: #11,206 as of 2021 — not currently in the U.S. Social Security rankings

A name with built-in protection.

Hari

Origin: Sanskrit
Pronunciation: HAH-ree · ˈhɑːri
Meaning: epithet of the Hindu god Vishnu, popularly glossed as ‘remover of sin’
Popularity: #3,233 and rising (#3,825 → #3,233, 2024)

Two syllables, one ancient resonance.

Jayanth

Origin: Sanskrit
Pronunciation: JUH-yunth
Meaning: victorious
Popularity: #11,429 as of 2023 — not currently in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Has a triumphant feel without sounding pompous.

Kiran

Origin: Sanskrit
Pronunciation: KEER-un · ˈkɪrən
Meaning: ray of light / beam of light
Popularity: #1,344 and rising (#1,597 → #1,344, 2024)

Unisex in some regions, masculine in most.

Lakshman

Origin: Sanskrit
Pronunciation: LUKSH-mən · ˈlʌkʃmən
Meaning: Having auspicious marks
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Rama’s devoted younger brother — a name about loyalty.

Mahesh

Origin: Sanskrit
Pronunciation: muh-HAYSH · məˈheɪʃ
Meaning: great lord
Popularity: #11,649 as of 2017 — not currently in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Solid, dependable, the kind of name a doctor would have.

Naveen

Origin: Sanskrit
Pronunciation: nah-VEEN · nɑːˈviːn
Meaning: new
Popularity: #2,492 and falling (#2,109 → #2,492, 2024)

Both modern in feel and ancient in origin.

Prashanth

Origin: Sanskrit
Pronunciation: prah-SHAHNTH · prəˈʃɑːnt
Meaning: calm and tranquil
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Has an almost meditative quality on the tongue.

Ramesh

Origin: Sanskrit
Pronunciation: rah-MAYSH · rəˈmeɪʃ
Meaning: lord of Lakshmi
Popularity: #13,625 as of 2021 — not currently in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Once your dad’s name, now circling back as retro-cool.

Sandeep

Origin: Sanskrit
Pronunciation: sun-DEEP · sʌnˈdiːp
Meaning: kindled lamp or illuminated
Popularity: #13,856 as of 2012 — not currently in the U.S. Social Security rankings

The kind of name that quietly grows with a person.

Tarunya

Origin: Sanskrit
Pronunciation: tuh-ROON-yuh · təˈruːnjə
Meaning: youth or youthfulness
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Less common, more poetic.

Vamsi

Origin: Sanskrit
Pronunciation: VAHM-see · ˈʋɐm.si
Meaning: flute
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Soft, musical, distinctly southern.

Yashwanth

Origin: Sanskrit
Pronunciation: yush-WAHNTH · jɐɕˈʋɐntʰ
Meaning: one who possesses fame and glory
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Pairs beautifully with most last names.

Pranesh

Origin: Sanskrit
Pronunciation: prah-NESH · prəˈnɛʃ
Meaning: lord of life
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

A name that feels like a prayer.

Varun

Origin: Sanskrit
Pronunciation: vuh-ROON · vəˈruːn
Meaning: the Vedic god of water and cosmic order
Popularity: #5,414 and falling (#5,047 → #5,414, 2024)

Cool, ocean-deep, easy on Western ears.

Punjabi and Sikh Names Built Like Sunlight

Punjabi names tend to feel open, sunny, and physically generous — many end in -preet, -deep, or -jeet, which give them a built-in rhythm. Most are gender-flexible in form but lean strongly masculine in usage.

Arjan

Origin: Sanskrit (via Punjabi)
Pronunciation: AR-jun · ˈɑːrdʒən
Meaning: linked to Sanskrit ‘Arjuna,’ meaning ‘white’ or ‘bright/shining’
Popularity: #1,606 and rising (#2,189 → #1,606, 2024)

Guru Arjan Dev compiled the Adi Granth; the name carries gentle authority.

Gurpreet

Origin: Punjabi
Pronunciation: goor-PREET · ɡʊrˈpriːt
Meaning: love of the Guru
Popularity: #10,250 as of 2008 — not currently in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Classic, warm, instantly recognizable in Sikh families.

Manpreet

Origin: Punjabi
Pronunciation: mun-PREET · mənˈpriːt
Meaning: heart’s love
Popularity: #16,236 as of 2010 — not currently in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Beautifully balanced for any gender, often masculine in practice.

Jaspreet

Origin: Punjabi
Pronunciation: jus-PREET · dʒəsˈpriːt
Meaning: love of fame or praise
Popularity: #17,342 as of 2016 — not currently in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Common in Sikh families across the diaspora.

Harjeet

Origin: Punjabi
Pronunciation: har-JEET · hɑːrˈdʒiːt
Meaning: victory of God
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Strong and steady.

Ranveer

Origin: Sanskrit
Pronunciation: ruhn-VEER · rʌnˈviːr
Meaning: brave in battle
Popularity: #4,992 and falling (#4,308 → #4,992, 2024)

Bollywood-coded but with deep roots.

Simran

Origin: Punjabi
Pronunciation: SIM-run · ˈsɪmrən
Meaning: meditative remembrance of God
Popularity: #4,093 and rising (#4,545 → #4,093, 2024)

More common as a girls’ name but used for boys too in Sikh tradition.

Tejinder

Origin: Punjabi (Sanskrit-derived)
Pronunciation: teh-JIN-der · tɛˈdʒɪndər
Meaning: lord of radiance
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Has a regal quality.

Inderjit

Origin: Punjabi
Pronunciation: in-der-JEET · ɪndərˈdʒiːt
Meaning: conqueror of Indra
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Mythological weight in a wearable package.

Jagdeep

Origin: Hindi/Punjabi (Sanskrit-derived)
Pronunciation: jug-DEEP · dʒəɡˈdiːp
Meaning: Sanskrit-derived compound of ‘jagat’ (world) and ‘deep’ (lamp) — a light that illuminates the world
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Generous, almost cinematic in meaning.

Karanveer

Origin: Punjabi
Pronunciation: KUH-run-veer · ˈkʌrənˌvɪər
Meaning: Brave doer
Popularity: #10,359 and rising (#13,090 → #10,359, 2024)

A name that promises action.

Lovepreet

Origin: Punjabi
Pronunciation: LUV-preet · ˈlʌvpriːt
Meaning: full of love
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Disarmingly direct.

Mandeep

Origin: Punjabi (Sanskrit-derived)
Pronunciation: mun-DEEP · mənˈdiːp
Meaning: compound of ‘man’ (mind/heart) and ‘deep’ (lamp) — an inner light of awareness
Popularity: #10,245 as of 2006 — not currently in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Calm and clear.

Navdeep

Origin: Punjabi (Sanskrit-derived)
Pronunciation: NAHV-deep · ˈnʌvdiːp
Meaning: new lamp, new light
Popularity: #10,407 as of 2018 — not currently in the U.S. Social Security rankings

For a baby arriving at a turning point.

Parminder

Origin: Punjabi
Pronunciation: par-MIN-der · pərˈmɪndər
Meaning: supreme lord
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Solid, formal, ages well.

Rajdeep

Origin: Sanskrit
Pronunciation: RAHJ-deep · ˈraːdʒdiːp
Meaning: light of kings
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Has presence without trying.

Sukhdeep

Origin: Punjabi (Sanskrit-derived)
Pronunciation: sookh-DEEP · sʊkʰˈdiːp
Meaning: lamp of peace
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Tarandeep

Origin: Punjabi
Pronunciation: tuh-run-DEEP · tərənˈdiːp
Meaning: Lamp that helps you cross over
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Spiritually loaded in the best way.

Veerpal

Origin: Punjabi
Pronunciation: VEER-pahl · ˈvɪərpɑːl
Meaning: Protector of the brave
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Sounds exactly like what it means.

Yuvraj

Origin: Sanskrit
Pronunciation: yoov-RAHJ
Meaning: crown prince
Popularity: #2,545 and rising (#3,110 → #2,545, 2024)

Cricketer Yuvraj Singh made this one beloved.

Akaal

Origin: Punjabi/Sanskrit (Sikh religious term)
Pronunciation: uh-KAHL · əˈkɑːl
Meaning: ‘timeless, undying’ — from Sanskrit elements for ‘not’ and ‘time/death’; a core Sikh theological term for the eternal, formless God (as in ‘Akal Purakh’)
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Sikh-specific and quietly powerful.

Bhavnoor

Origin: Punjabi (Sanskrit + Perso-Arabic compound)
Pronunciation: buhv-NOOR · bʱəvˈnuːr
Meaning: light of existence — combining ‘bhav’ (world/being, from Sanskrit bhava) with ‘noor’ (light, from Arabic/Persian nūr)
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Less common, very pretty.

Charanjeet

Origin: Punjabi (Sikh devotional compound)
Pronunciation: chuh-run-JEET · tʃərənˈdʒiːt
Meaning: one who has attained or won the [Guru’s/divine] feet — a devotional compound of ‘feet’ + ‘victory’
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Old-fashioned in the dignified sense.

Dilpreet

Origin: Punjabi
Pronunciation: dil-PREET · dɪlˈpriːt
Meaning: love of the heart
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Translates to English emotion in a way few names do.

Ekamveer

Origin: Punjabi
Pronunciation: eh-kum-VEER · ˈeːkəmˌviːr
Meaning: One brave warrior
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Distinctive without being made-up.

Fateh

Origin: Arabic (via Punjabi/Persian)
Pronunciation: fuh-TAY · fəˈteɪ
Meaning: Arabic for ‘opener’/’conqueror,’ used in Punjabi and Persian to mean ‘victory’
Popularity: #2,189 and rising (#2,278 → #2,189, 2024)

Single-syllable confidence.

Gagan

Origin: Sanskrit (via Punjabi)
Pronunciation: GUH-gun · ˈɡʌɡən
Meaning: Sanskrit word for ‘sky’
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Wide open.

Hardeep

Origin: Punjabi (Sanskrit-derived)
Pronunciation: har-DEEP · hɑːrˈdiːp
Meaning: Punjabi compound of a word for God (‘Har’) and ‘deep’ (lamp) — ‘a lamp lit for God’
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Familiar in the diaspora, warm to say.

Ishmeet

Origin: Punjabi
Pronunciation: ish-MEET · ɪʃˈmiːt
Meaning: Friend of God
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

The “Ish-” prefix here means God.

Names From Hindu Mythology That Carry Stories

Naming a baby after a god, sage, or hero is a way of giving him a built-in narrative. These names show up in temple chants, grandmothers’ bedtime stories, and Amar Chitra Katha comics — and they travel surprisingly well.

Krishna

Origin: Sanskrit
Pronunciation: KRISH-nah · ˈkrɪʃnə
Meaning: dark, black
Popularity: #2,406 and rising (#2,522 → #2,406, 2024)

The most beloved name in the Hindu pantheon; spell it Krishn or Krish if you want a shorter version.

Ram

Origin: Hebrew; also South Asian (Sanskrit, as a variant of Rama)
Pronunciation: RAHM · rɑːm
Meaning: in Hebrew tradition, ‘high/exalted’ (also a biblical ancestor’s name and a nickname for Avram/Abraham); in South Asian tradition, a variant of the Sanskrit name Rama, traditionally glossed ‘one who is pleasing or delightful’
Popularity: #2,144 and rising (#2,925 → #2,144, 2024)

Three letters, the whole Ramayana behind it.

Shiv

Origin: Sanskrit
Pronunciation: SHIV · ʃɪv
Meaning: auspicious one
Popularity: #1,784 and falling (#1,782 → #1,784, 2024)

Modern parents often prefer the shorter Shiv over Shiva.

Hanuman

Origin: Sanskrit
Pronunciation: HAH-noo-mahn · ˈhʌnʊmɑːn
Meaning: having a prominent jaw
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Less common as a first name in the diaspora but striking when used.

Kartik

Origin: Sanskrit
Pronunciation: KAR-tik · ˈkɑːrtɪk
Meaning: associated with Kartikeya, the god of war
Popularity: #7,475 and rising (#8,578 → #7,475, 2024)

Also a Hindu month name; feels seasonal and warm.

Indra

Origin: Sanskrit; also Latvian (independent usage)
Pronunciation: IN-drah · ˈɪndrə
Meaning: name of the Vedic/Hindu god of rain, thunder, and war; used independently as a feminine given name in Latvia
Popularity: #5,736 and rising (#7,059 → #5,736, 2024)

Surprisingly underused in modern naming.

Vishnu

Origin: Sanskrit
Pronunciation: VISH-noo · ˈvɪʃnuː
Meaning: all-pervading one
Popularity: #5,033 and rising (#5,894 → #5,033, 2024)

Carries the weight of an entire trinity.

Brahma

Origin: Sanskrit
Pronunciation: BRAH-mah · ˈbrɑːmə
Meaning: the expander or creator
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Rare as a first name; carries gravitas if you use it.

Yash

Origin: Sanskrit
Pronunciation: YAHSH · ˈjɑːʃ
Meaning: fame, glory
Popularity: #2,089 and rising (#2,272 → #2,089, 2024)

Many epic heroes are described as “yashasvi”; the name distills that.

Vansh

Origin: Sanskrit
Pronunciation: VUNSH · vʌnʃ
Meaning: lineage or family line
Popularity: #4,297 and falling (#4,204 → #4,297, 2024)

Names that honor continuity.

Devraj

Origin: Sanskrit
Pronunciation: DEV-rahj · ˈdeɪvrɑːdʒ
Meaning: king of the gods
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Old-school regal.

Madhusudan

Origin: Sanskrit
Pronunciation: muh-dhoo-SOO-dun · mʌdʱuːˈsuːdən
Meaning: Slayer of Madhu
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

A grandfather name in the best way.

Narayan

Origin: Sanskrit
Pronunciation: nuh-RAH-yun · nəˈrɑːjən
Meaning: moving upon the waters
Popularity: #10,523 as of 2022 — not currently in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Steady, formal, never trendy.

Parth

Origin: Sanskrit
Pronunciation: PARTH · ˈpɑːrθ
Meaning: son of Pritha
Popularity: #3,250 and falling (#3,209 → #3,250, 2024)

Modern usage with mythological roots.

Raghav

Origin: Sanskrit
Pronunciation: RAH-guhv · ˈrɑːɡəv
Meaning: descendant of Raghu
Popularity: #2,106 and rising (#2,761 → #2,106, 2024)

Has an elegant flow.

Sahdev

Origin: Sanskrit
Pronunciation: SAH-dayv · ˈsɑːhdeɪv
Meaning: with the gods
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Underused gem.

Tejas

Origin: Sanskrit
Pronunciation: TAY-juhs · ˈteɪdʒəs
Meaning: brilliance, radiance, fiery inner energy
Popularity: #3,962 and falling (#3,402 → #3,962, 2024)

Modern, energetic.

Ugrasen

Origin: Sanskrit
Pronunciation: OOG-ruh-sen · ˈʊɡrəseɪn
Meaning: having a fierce army
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

For families who like uncommon mythological deep cuts.

Vidur

Origin: Sanskrit
Pronunciation: vih-DOOR · vɪˈdʊr
Meaning: wise or skilled
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Yudhishthir

Origin: Sanskrit
Pronunciation: yoo-DISH-teer · jʊˈdɪʃtɪr
Meaning: steady in battle
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

The eldest Pandava; ambitious choice but musical.

Balram

Origin: Sanskrit
Pronunciation: BAHL-rahm · ˈbɑːl.rɑːm
Meaning: the mighty/strong one paired with Rama — an epithet for Balarama, Krishna’s elder brother in Hindu tradition
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Solid as a wrestler’s grip.

Chiranjeev

Origin: Sanskrit
Pronunciation: chih-run-JEEV · tʃɪrənˈdʒiːv
Meaning: long-lived, immortal — from elements meaning ‘long’ and ‘living’
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

A blessing built into a name.

Devdutt

Origin: Sanskrit
Pronunciation: DEV-dutt · ˈdeɪvdʌt
Meaning: given by God
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Sweet and direct.

Eklavya

Origin: Sanskrit
Pronunciation: ek-LUV-yah
Meaning: One-pointed, focused
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

The Mahabharata’s quietest archer.

Garuda

Origin: Sanskrit
Pronunciation: guh-ROO-duh · ɡəˈruːdə
Meaning: the divine eagle who carries the god Vishnu
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Bold pick, beautiful image.

Hridaya

Origin: Sanskrit
Pronunciation: hri-DAH-yah · hrɪˈdɑːjə
Meaning: heart
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Tender without being soft.

Modern Two-Syllable Names That Travel Well

These are the names that diaspora parents reach for again and again — short enough to survive a Starbucks order, distinctive enough to feel anchored, easy on every accent.

Topped Indian baby name charts for years.

The morning-light cousin to Vivaan.

Aanav

Origin: Sanskrit-inspired (modern Indian given name)
Pronunciation: AH-nuhv · ˈɑːnəv
Meaning: Kind, humane
Popularity: #6,812 and falling (#6,514 → #6,812, 2024)

Soft and modern.

Advait

Origin: Sanskrit
Pronunciation: uhd-VYTE · ʌdˈvaɪt
Meaning: non-dual, without a second (a- ‘not’ + dvaita ‘dual’)
Popularity: #2,497 and rising (#2,803 → #2,497, 2024)

Has a philosophical edge.

Aaryan

Origin: Sanskrit
Pronunciation: AHR-yuhn · ˈɑːrjən
Meaning: noble in character
Popularity: #2,112 and falling (#1,765 → #2,112, 2024)

Familiar but not overused.

Ayaan

Origin: Arabic/Somali (uncertain)
Pronunciation: eye-YAHN · aɪˈjɑːn
Meaning: Gift of God, fortunate
Popularity: #518 and falling (#511 → #518, 2024)

Crosses faith lines easily.

Daksh

Origin: Sanskrit
Pronunciation: DUKSH · dʌkʃ
Meaning: capable or adept
Popularity: #3,053 and falling (#2,902 → #3,053, 2024)

Single-syllable strength.

Ehan

Origin: Sanskrit
Pronunciation: ay-HAHN · eːˈhɑːn
Meaning: Expected, full moon
Popularity: #5,092 and falling (#4,033 → #5,092, 2024)

Quietly distinctive.

Hridaan

Origin: Sanskrit
Pronunciation: hree-DAHN · hriːˈdɑːn
Meaning: Heart’s gift
Popularity: #8,551 and falling (#7,922 → #8,551, 2024)

Tender.

Ivaan

Origin: Sanskrit, possibly Slavic-influenced
Pronunciation: ee-VAHN · iːˈvɑːn
Meaning: Gift from God
Popularity: #1,062 and rising (#1,113 → #1,062, 2024)

Modern coined name with old echoes.

Kavin

Origin: Tamil
Pronunciation: KAH-vin · ˈkɑːvɪn
Meaning: beauty or grace
Popularity: #4,362 and rising (#5,789 → #4,362, 2024)

Easy and warm.

Kiyan

Origin: Persian
Pronunciation: kee-YAHN · kiːˈjɑːn
Meaning: royal or dynasty of kings
Popularity: #1,383 and falling (#1,381 → #1,383, 2024)

Has cross-cultural travel built in.

Lakshay

Origin: Sanskrit
Pronunciation: LUK-shay · ˈlʌkʃeɪ
Meaning: Aim or target
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Direct.

Manan

Origin: Sanskrit
Pronunciation: MUN-un · ˈmʌnən
Meaning: Deep contemplation
Popularity: #8,699 and rising (#10,378 → #8,699, 2024)

Soft, reflective.

Naksh

Origin: Sanskrit
Pronunciation: NAHKSH · nʌkʃ
Meaning: Moon
Popularity: #3,426 and falling (#3,321 → #3,426, 2024)

Pretty without being delicate.

Nirvaan

Origin: Sanskrit
Pronunciation: neer-VAHN · nɪərˈvɑːn
Meaning: spiritual liberation
Popularity: #2,033 and rising (#2,307 → #2,033, 2024)

Philosophical depth in two syllables.

Ojas

Origin: Sanskrit
Pronunciation: OH-jus · ˈoʊdʒəs
Meaning: vitality and strength
Popularity: #3,026 and rising (#3,602 → #3,026, 2024)

Sounds exactly like its meaning.

Pranay

Origin: Sanskrit
Pronunciation: pruh-NY · prəˈnaɪ
Meaning: affection and love
Popularity: #7,127 and rising (#9,527 → #7,127, 2024)

Warm and modern.

Reyan

Origin: Arabic
Pronunciation: ray-YAHN · reɪˈjɑːn
Meaning: lush or well-watered
Popularity: #3,434 and falling (#2,469 → #3,434, 2024)

Gentle and contemporary.

Saanvik

Origin: Sanskrit
Pronunciation: SAHN-vik · ˈsɑːnvɪk
Meaning: Followed by Goddess Lakshmi
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Newer, increasingly popular.

Shay

Origin: Irish (surname, Ó Séaghdha)
Pronunciation: SHAY · ʃeɪ
Meaning: Gift
Popularity: #1,701 and rising (#1,799 → #1,701, 2024)

Cross-cultural friendly.

Tanay

Origin: Sanskrit
Pronunciation: tuh-NYE · təˈnaɪ
Meaning: son
Popularity: #8,223 and falling (#6,177 → #8,223, 2024)

Sweet and direct.

Uday

Origin: Sanskrit
Pronunciation: oo-DAY · ʊˈdeɪ
Meaning: dawn or sunrise
Popularity: #7,676 and falling (#7,259 → #7,676, 2024)

Easy to say in any language.

Yug

Origin: Sanskrit
Pronunciation: YOOG · jʊɡ
Meaning: era or epoch
Popularity: #2,387 and rising (#2,691 → #2,387, 2024)

Single-syllable big idea.

Zayn

Origin: Arabic
Pronunciation: ZAYN · ˈzeɪn
Meaning: beauty, gracefulness
Popularity: #249 and falling (#246 → #249, 2024)

Universal pull.

Nature, Sky, and Elemental Names

Sanskrit and its descendant languages are unusually rich in nature vocabulary. These names are for parents who want their child’s name to echo something they can point to in the world.

Akash

Origin: Sanskrit
Pronunciation: AH-kash · ˈɑːkɑːʃ
Meaning: the sky; in Hindu/Jain thought, one of the five classical elements
Popularity: #3,682 and falling (#3,345 → #3,682, 2024)

The classic.

Megh

Origin: Sanskrit
Pronunciation: MAYG · meɪɡ
Meaning: cloud
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Less used and surprisingly handsome.

Varsh

Origin: Sanskrit
Pronunciation: VARSH · vɐrʂ
Meaning: rain or year
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

For monsoon babies.

Pavan

Origin: Sanskrit
Pronunciation: PUH-vuhn · ˈpʌvən
Meaning: wind or breeze
Popularity: #10,613 and rising (#13,544 → #10,613, 2024)

Light on the tongue.

Anil

Origin: Sanskrit
Pronunciation: uh-NEEL · əˈniːl
Meaning: wind; name of the Hindu wind god
Popularity: #9,938 and falling (#8,248 → #9,938, 2024)

Very common in older generations, retro now.

Agni

Origin: Sanskrit
Pronunciation: UHG-nee · ˈʌɡ.ni
Meaning: fire; also the name of the Vedic god of fire
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Bold choice.

Jal

Origin: Sanskrit
Pronunciation: JUHL · dʒʌl
Meaning: water
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Single-syllable elemental.

Bhumi

Origin: Sanskrit
Pronunciation: BOO-mee · ˈbuːmi
Meaning: Earth
Popularity: #7,630 and rising (#9,714 → #7,630, 2024)

Often feminine but used for boys in some regions.

Chandra

Origin: Sanskrit
Pronunciation: CHAHN-drah · ˈtʃʌndrə
Meaning: moon
Popularity: #11,381 as of 2023 — not currently in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Often masculine in India, feminine in the West.

Tara

Origin: Irish (place name); also Sanskrit (‘star’)
Pronunciation: TAIR-ah · ˈtɛrə
Meaning: named after the Hill of Tara, ancient seat of Irish kings (the place name’s own root meaning is disputed); a separate Sanskrit-origin sense means ‘star’
Popularity: #1,021 and rising (#1,163 → #1,021, 2024)

Predominantly feminine but historically used for boys.

Nakul

Origin: Sanskrit
Pronunciation: NUH-kool
Meaning: mongoose
Popularity: #8,703 as of 2023 — not currently in the U.S. Social Security rankings

A Pandava prince; surprisingly modern.

Arnav

Origin: Sanskrit
Pronunciation: AR-nuv · ˈɑːrnʌv
Meaning: ocean, sea
Popularity: #3,784 and falling (#3,293 → #3,784, 2024)

Deep and contemporary.

Sagar

Origin: Sanskrit
Pronunciation: SAH-ger · ˈsɑːɡər
Meaning: ocean
Popularity: #13,675 as of 2020 — not currently in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Wide open.

Kunal

Origin: Sanskrit (used in India, specific root unclear)
Pronunciation: KOO-nul · ˈkuːnəl
Meaning: Lotus, son of emperor Ashoka
Popularity: #11,675 as of 2022 — not currently in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Has flower roots and historical weight.

Champak

Origin: Sanskrit
Pronunciation: CHUM-puk · ˈtʃʌmpək
Meaning: the champak (golden magnolia) flower and tree, prized in Indian tradition for its fragrance
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Old-fashioned charm.

Tushar

Origin: Sanskrit
Pronunciation: too-SHAR · tʊˈʃɑːr
Meaning: frost or snow
Popularity: #13,913 as of 2014 — not currently in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Cool and quiet.

Hima

Origin: Sanskrit
Pronunciation: HEE-mah · ˈhiːmə
Meaning: snow or frost
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Rare and pretty.

Vayu

Origin: Sanskrit
Pronunciation: VAH-yoo · ˈvɑːjuː
Meaning: wind
Popularity: #2,663 and falling (#2,126 → #2,663, 2024)

Direct and forceful.

Soumya

Origin: Sanskrit
Pronunciation: SOWM-yah · ˈsaʊmjə
Meaning: gentle, mild, or pleasing
Popularity: #17,820 as of 2018 — not currently in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Often masculine in Bengali.

Tarang

Origin: Sanskrit
Pronunciation: tuh-RUNG · təˈrʌŋ
Meaning: wave
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Has movement built in.

Neelam

Origin: Sanskrit
Pronunciation: NEE-luhm · ˈniːləm
Meaning: blue sapphire
Popularity: #14,648 as of 2023 — not currently in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Used for both genders historically.

Manik

Origin: Sanskrit/Hindi
Pronunciation: MAH-nik · ˈmɑːnɪk
Meaning: ruby, or a precious gem
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Old-school glamour.

Heera

Origin: Hindi/Sanskrit
Pronunciation: HEE-rah · ˈhiːrɑː
Meaning: diamond
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Used affectionately.

Names With Devotional Roots

For families who want a name that carries their faith openly — these come from prayers, scriptures, and the names of devotees.

Bhakta

Origin: Sanskrit
Pronunciation: BUHK-tuh · ˈbʱʌk.tə
Meaning: a devotee; one who is devoted, especially in a religious sense
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Quiet devotion in name form.

Prahlad

Origin: Sanskrit
Pronunciation: prah-LAHD · prəˈlɑːd
Meaning: joy and delight
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

A name about faith under pressure.

Narad

Origin: Sanskrit
Pronunciation: NAH-rud · ˈnɑːrəd
Meaning: The traveling sage
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Bold and bookish.

Tulsi

Origin: Sanskrit (via Hindi)
Pronunciation: TOOL-see · ˈtuːlsi
Meaning: holy basil, a plant sacred in Hinduism
Popularity: #4,097 and rising (#5,239 → #4,097, 2024)

Often feminine; used masculinely as Tulsidas (the saint-poet).

Surdas

Origin: Sanskrit
Pronunciation: SOOR-dahs · ˈsuːrdɑːs
Meaning: servant of the melody or servant of the sun
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

The blind poet-saint.

Mira

Origin: Multi-origin: Slavic / Latin / Sanskrit / Hindi
Pronunciation: MEER-ah · ˈmɪrə
Meaning: peace (Slavic); wonderful/admired (Latin); sea or boundary (Sanskrit); or from Meera/Mirabai, a 16th-century Hindi poet-saint
Popularity: #380 and rising (#412 → #380, 2024)

Mirabai was a female saint, but Mira/Meera works softly for boys in some families.

Nanak

Origin: Punjabi
Pronunciation: NAH-nuk · ˈnɑːnək
Meaning: The first Sikh Guru
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Used with reverence.

Govind

Origin: Sanskrit
Pronunciation: goh-VIND · ɡoːˈvɪnd
Meaning: finder of cows or cowherd
Popularity: #13,004 as of 2022 — not currently in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Grandfather energy.

Mukund

Origin: Sanskrit
Pronunciation: moo-KOOND · mʊˈkʊnd
Meaning: giver of liberation
Popularity: #10,540 and rising (#11,540 → #10,540, 2024)

Soft and devotional.

Keshav

Origin: Sanskrit
Pronunciation: KAY-shuhv · ˈkeɪʃʌv
Meaning: having fine hair
Popularity: #2,507 and falling (#2,206 → #2,507, 2024)

Lovely flowing sound.

Damodar

Origin: Sanskrit
Pronunciation: DAH-moh-dar · ˈdɑːmoʊdɑːr
Meaning: having a rope tied around the waist
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Tender mythological image.

Murari

Origin: Sanskrit
Pronunciation: moo-RAH-ree · mʊˈrɑːri
Meaning: enemy of Mura
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Musical in Telugu and Bengali use.

Sudama

Origin: Sanskrit
Pronunciation: soo-DAH-muh · sʊˈdɑːmɐ
Meaning: generous or giving well
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

A name about loyalty over wealth.

Vaikunth

Origin: Sanskrit
Pronunciation: vye-KOONT · vaɪˈkʊɳʈʰ
Meaning: abode of Vishnu
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Big idea, light footprint.

Mahadev

Origin: Sanskrit
Pronunciation: mah-hah-DAYV · ˌmɑːhɑːˈdeɪv
Meaning: great god
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Solid.

Shankar

Origin: Sanskrit
Pronunciation: SHUN-kar · ˈʃʌŋkər
Meaning: giver of happiness
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Common but never tired.

Bholanath

Origin: Sanskrit
Pronunciation: boh-luh-NAHT · ˌboʊ.ləˈnɑːt
Meaning: the innocent, simple-hearted lord — a devotional epithet of the Hindu god Shiva
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Sweet and old-fashioned.

Ishvar

Origin: Sanskrit
Pronunciation: EESH-wahr · ˈiːʃvɑːr
Meaning: supreme lord or master
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Direct and clear.

Maheshwar

Origin: Sanskrit
Pronunciation: mah-HESH-war · məˈheɪʃwər
Meaning: Great lord
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Stately.

Trilok

Origin: Sanskrit
Pronunciation: tree-LOHK · trɪˈloʊk
Meaning: three worlds
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Cosmic scope.

Yogesh

Origin: Sanskrit
Pronunciation: yo-GAYSH · joʊˈɡeɪʃ
Meaning: lord of yoga
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Modern revival.

Jagannath

Origin: Sanskrit
Pronunciation: jug-uh-NAHT · dʒəɡənˈnɑːtʰ
Meaning: lord of the universe
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

The Puri deity.

Balaji

Origin: Telugu/Tamil (from Sanskrit + Hindi honorific)
Pronunciation: BAH-lah-jee · ˈbɑː.lɑː.dʒiː
Meaning: young boy, plus an honorific suffix; a name for the Hindu god Vishnu (Venkateshwara) worshipped at the Tirupati temple
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Tirupati’s name; cherished in the south.

Venkat

Origin: Sanskrit
Pronunciation: VEN-kuht · ˈvɛŋkət
Meaning: sacred hill of Tirupati
Popularity: #14,110 as of 2012 — not currently in the U.S. Social Security rankings

A name that travels with temple devotion.

Strong, Single-Syllable Power Names

Sometimes you want a name that lands like a single drumbeat. These short names carry surprising weight — most are real words in Sanskrit for big concepts.

The whole universe in one syllable.

Vir

Origin: Sanskrit
Pronunciation: VEER · viːr
Meaning: brave or hero
Popularity: #5,031 and falling (#3,989 → #5,031, 2024)

Often spelled Veer.

Jai

Origin: Sanskrit/Hindi
Pronunciation: JY · ˈdʒaɪ
Meaning: victory
Popularity: #1,307 and falling (#1,207 → #1,307, 2024)

Cheerful and clear.

Tej

Origin: Sanskrit
Pronunciation: TAYJ · teːdʒ
Meaning: radiance, brilliance
Popularity: #6,408 and falling (#5,636 → #6,408, 2024)

Sharp light.

Dev

Origin: Sanskrit/Hindi
Pronunciation: DEV · ˈdɛv
Meaning: god, divine being
Popularity: #1,392 and rising (#1,579 → #1,392, 2024)

Used as standalone or prefix.

Raj

Origin: Sanskrit
Pronunciation: RAHJ · ˈrɑːdʒ
Meaning: rule, reign
Popularity: #4,989 and falling (#4,083 → #4,989, 2024)

Classic.

Ash

Origin: Old English (word name/surname)
Pronunciation: ASH · ˈæʃ
Meaning: ash tree (one who lived near ash trees)
Popularity: #1,147 and falling (#1,064 → #1,147, 2024)

Modern truncation.

Ved

Origin: Sanskrit
Pronunciation: VAYD · veɪd
Meaning: sacred knowledge
Popularity: #1,308 and rising (#1,325 → #1,308, 2024)

Bookish in the best way.

Aum

Origin: Sanskrit
Pronunciation: OHM · oʊm
Meaning: the sacred syllable representing the primordial cosmic sound in Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain tradition; a spelling variant of Om
Popularity: #9,031 and falling (#7,789 → #9,031, 2024)

Visual variation.

Krish

Origin: Sanskrit (short form used in South Asia)
Pronunciation: KRISH · ˈkrɪʃ
Meaning: short form of Krishna, understood as ‘dark, black’
Popularity: #1,355 and falling (#1,333 → #1,355, 2024)

Nickname-as-name.

Lav

Origin: Sanskrit
Pronunciation: LUHV · lʌv
Meaning: Small particle or slice
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Twin to Kush.

Kush

Origin: Sanskrit
Pronunciation: KOOSH · kʊʃ
Meaning: Sacred grass
Popularity: #4,632 and rising (#5,812 → #4,632, 2024)

Sweet and short.

Ish

Origin: English
Pronunciation: ISH · ɪʃ
Meaning: God, lord
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Tiny and powerful.

Rishi

Origin: Sanskrit
Pronunciation: REE-shee · ˈriːʃi
Meaning: sage or seer
Popularity: #1,107 and falling (#970 → #1,107, 2024)

Two syllables but acts like one.

Manu

Origin: Sanskrit and/or Hawaiian/Polynesian (dual origin)
Pronunciation: MAH-noo · ˈmɑːnuː
Meaning: progenitor of humankind (Sanskrit) / bird (Hawaiian)
Popularity: #5,352 and falling (#4,994 → #5,352, 2024)