Top 25 Inspiring Indian Girl Names for Your Baby

India is known for its rich diversity of cultures, languages, and traditions, which have inspired some of the most beautiful girl names in the world. These Indian girl names originate from nature, stories of gods and goddesses, or words that mean love, light, and wisdom. Each one carries a special meaning that parents hope will guide their daughters in life.

There are many lovely Indian girl names to choose from. Some are traditional, like Aanya and Diya, and others are more modern, like Kiara and Zara.

As you prepare for your baby girl's arrival, choosing her name is just one step. Helpful tools like a Momcozy Baby Monitor from the Best Baby Monitors Collection or a Momcozy Nasal Aspirator from the Baby Nasal Aspirator Collection can make those early months easier and more comfortable for both you and your baby.

Names of the Divine: Goddesses, Deities, and Sacred Concepts

Aadhya - Another Name for Goddess Durga

• Origin: Hindi, Indian
• Meaning: Aadhya means “the first power” and the beginning. It can also be spelled Aadhyasri. Famous bearers include Aadhya Anand (an Indian child actress and model) and Aadhya Prasad (an Indian film actress).
• Popularity: Peaked as a girls’ name in 2012 at #1766 worldwide.

Aditi - Mother of the Gods

• Origin: Hindi, Indian
• Meaning: Aditi means "boundless" or “limitless” in Sanskrit. It is known as the ancient Hindu goddess who is recognized as the mother of many deities, including Vishnu and Krishna. Alternative spellings include Aaditi. Famous bearers include Aditi Rao Hydari (an Indian actress) and Aditi Sharma (an Indian TV actress).
• Popularity: Moderately common

Ishani - Goddess Parvati

• Origin: Hindi, Indian
• Meaning: Ishani means "ruling goddess" and refers to the Hindu Goddess Parvati, the wife of Lord Shiva. It can also be spelled Ishana. Famous bearers include Ishani Senanayake (a Sri Lankan swimmer) and Ishani Shrestha (Miss Nepal World 2013).
• Popularity: Rare worldwide; ranked #246 in Sri Lanka

Indira - Goddess Lakshmi

• Origin: Hindi, Sanskrit
• Meaning: Indira means "beauty" and "splendor" in Sanskrit. It can also be spelled Indra, Indearah, Indeera, Indeira, Indiera, Indirah, Indre, or Indyra. Famous bearers include Indira Priyadarshini Gandhi (the 3rd Prime Minister of India) and Indira Sant (a Marathi poet).
• Popularity: Ranked #560 in India and #2,448 globally

Saanvi - Goddess Lakshmi

• Origin: Hindi, Indian
• Meaning: Saanvi is a name for Goddess Lakshmi. It may come from the Sanskrit words sa, referring to Lakshmi, and anvi, meaning "to follow," or sanu, meaning "peak" or "summit." It can also be spelled Saanvi, Shanvi, or Shaanvi. Famous bearers include Saanvi Talwar, an Indian television actress and writer known for shows like Fear Files on Zee TV.
• Popularity: Extremely rare worldwide

Celestial & Natural Elements: Names of Light, Sky, Earth, and Water

Kashvi - Light or Shining Star

• Origin: Hindi, Indian
• Meaning: Kashvi means "luminous" or "shining brightness." It can also be spelled Kashvea, Kashvee, Kashvey, Kashvie, or Kashvy.
• Popularity: Extremely rare, with only 104 recorded in India and Thailand,

Aarna - River or Wave

• Origin: Hindi, Indian
• Meaning: Aarna means "river" or "wave" and is associated with Goddess Lakshmi. It can also be spelled Arna or Arnaa. Famous bearers include Aarna Sharma, an Indian actress.
• Popularity: Ranked #1,367 among girls’ names in the U.S. in 2018

Laharika - Waves of Ocean

• Origin: Hindi, Indian
• Meaning: Laharika means "one who brings waves" or "ocean waves." It can also be spelled Lahari, Lahariya, or Lahariqa. The name has poetic connotations in Hindu culture, symbolizing fluidity, grace, rhythm, and liveliness.
• Popularity: Extremely rare

Urvi - Earth Princess

• Origin: Sanskrit, Indian
• Meaning: Urvi means "earth" or "earth princess." It can also be spelled Urva or Urvika. The name is associated with the goddess Urvi, symbolizing fertility, stability, and connection with nature.
• Popularity: Moderately rare

Diya - Light or Lamp

• Origin: Sanskrit, Indian
• Meaning: Diya means "light" or "lamp." It can also be spelled Dhiya. The name is associated with warmth and hope and is commonly used during Diwali, the Festival of Lights.
• Popularity: Very common

Names of Abstract Virtue: Love, Joy, Wisdom, and Strength

Dhriti - Courage and Joy

• Origin: Hindi, Sanskrit, Nepali
• Meaning: Dhriti means "courage," "patience," and "fortitude." It is also an epithet of Goddess Lakshmi, representing her steadfast and determined nature. Variations include Dhruti, Dharati, and Dharti. A famous bearer includes Dhriti Bhatia, an Indian actress.
• Popularity: Ranked #4,244 in the U.S. in 2020

Meher - Kindness and Grace

• Origin: Persian, Indian
• Meaning: Meher means "kindness," "compassion," "grace," and "favor." It comes from the Persian word mehr, meaning "love" or "sun." Variations include Mehr and Mehar. Famous bearers include Meher Baba, an Indian spiritual master.
• Popularity: Moderately popular

Vidya - Knowledge or Learning

• Origin: Sanskrit, Indian
• Meaning: Vidya means "knowledge," "learning," and "skill." It is also another name of Goddess Saraswati, the Hindu goddess of wisdom and arts. Variations include Vidhya and Vydia. Famous bearers include Vidya Balan, an acclaimed Indian actress.
• Popularity: Consistently popular in India

Ananya - Unique or Incomparable

• Origin: Sanskrit, Indian
• Meaning: Ananya means “unique” or “special,” coming from the Sanskrit words a (not) and anya (other). Variations include Ananiya and Annanya. A famous person with this name is actress Ananya Panday from India.
• Popularity: Popular

Anika - Grace or Brilliance

• Origin: Sanskrit, Indian
• Meaning: Anika means “grace,” “brilliance,” or sometimes “soldier.” It shows both beauty and strength. The name can also be spelled Annika or Aneeka.
• Popularity: Included in the top 300 names in India

Melodic & Poetic Names: Sound, Vision, and Musicality

Aarohi - Ascending Musical Notes

• Origin: Sanskrit, Indian
• Meaning: Aarohi means “rising” or “ascending.” It is also a musical term in Indian classical music for the upward flow of notes in a raga. It can also be spelled Arohi or Aarohi. Famous Indian bearers include TV actress Aarohi Patel.
• Popularity: Ranked among the top 200 in India

Geetika - A Little Song

• Origin: Sanskrit, Hindi
• Meaning: Geetika means “little song” or “melody.” It comes from the Sanskrit word geet, meaning “song.” Alternative spellings include Gitika, Jaitika, and Jyotika. A famous bearer includes Geetika Jakhar, an Indian wrestler.
• Popularity: Ranked among the top 1,000 girl names in India

Laasya - Graceful Movements

• Origin: Indian
• Meaning: Laasya means “dance” or “graceful movement” in Sanskrit. It refers to the gentle, expressive dance performed by Goddess Parvati, symbolizing beauty and creativity. Alternative spellings include Laasyah, Lasya, and Lasyah.
• Popularity: Rare, with only 160 girls worldwide recorded in 2014

Laya - Rhythm of Indian Music

• Origin: Sanskrit, Indian
• Meaning: Laya means “rhythm,” “melody,” or “tempo” in Sanskrit and is linked to music, dance, and harmony. Alternative spellings include Layah, Laiah, Laiya, Leiah, Laiyah, Leiya, Leiyah, and Leya.
• Popularity: Rare

Dhwani - Sound or Tone

• Origin: Sanskrit, Indian
• Meaning: Dhwani means “sound,” “tone,” or “echo” in Sanskrit. Alternative spellings include Dhvani and Dhwanee. Famous Indian bearers include Dhwani Bhanushali, a popular Indian singer.
• Popularity: Rare

Global and Distinctive Names: Non-Sanskrit, Unique, and Cross-Cultural

Amara - Graceful and Immortal

• Origin: Italian, Greek, African, Indian
• Meaning: In Italian, Amara means “bitter”; in Igbo (West Africa), “grace”; in Sanskrit, “immortal”; in Arabic, “tribe”; and in Mongolian, “peaceful.” Alternative spellings include Amarah and Amra. Famous Indian bearers include Amara Karan, an Indian-British actress.
• Popularity: Entered the Top 1000 in 2000 (#797) and reached #123 in 2023.

Saira - The Traveller

• Origin: Arabic, Indian
• Meaning: Saira means “traveller,” “one who journeys,” or “adventurous” in Arabic. It also conveys being alert and watchful. Alternative spellings include Sayra and Sairah. Famous Indian bearers include Saira Banu, a legendary Bollywood actress.
• Popularity: Moderately popular in India and Pakistan

Lina - Tender and Light

• Origin: Arabic, Hebrew, Germanic, Indian
• Meaning: Lina means “tender,” “gentle,” or “light,” depending on the origin. In Arabic, it signifies “tender-hearted,” in Hebrew “light” or “fair,” and in Germanic languages it can mean “free” or “noble.” Alternative spellings include Leena and Leina. Famous Indian bearers include Lina Khan, an Indian-origin entrepreneur.
• Popularity: Ranking in the top 100 countries

Tara - Queen of the Stars

• Origin: Irish and Gaelic
• Meaning: Tara signifies “Queen of the Stars” in Gaelic. It also refers to the Hindu goddess Tara, who embodies compassion and guidance. Alternative spellings include Tarah. Famous Indian bearers include Tara Sutaria, an actress and singer.
• Popularity: Popular in the 1970s and 1980s

Leena - Mild or Gentle

• Origin: Finnish, Estonian
• Meaning: Leena means “mild,” “gentle,” or “kind.” It is also a variant of Lena and a diminutive of Helena. Famous Indian bearers include Leena Jumani, an actress known for Indian television shows.
• Popularity: Moderately used in Finland and Estonia

FAQs

Are Indian girl names always tied to Hinduism?

No. While many names come from Hindu texts, others like Meher, Saira, Amara, and Lina have Arabic, Persian, or global origins and are common in India.

Do Indian girl names have nicknames?

Yes. Many names are shortened in daily life. Ananya becomes Anya or Anu, Saanvi becomes Laari or Rika, and Laharika becomes Hari or Riku.

Are there unisex Indian names for girls?

Yes. Names like Dhriti and Meher are unisex. Parents choose based on meaning and preference.