One of the most common questions we were asked on my India travel blog was about what Indian boy names were trending. So, for all you parents out there who are looking to name your baby (future) son, here are some of the most popular names in India today.
Contents
1. Aarav
Alternating between Aarav, Arjun, and Raja, this popular name is all the rage in India. If you’re looking for a traditional name, try Aarav, as it is an epitome of Indian culture and tradition.
2. Aditya
Aditya, which means ‘one who illuminates,’ is one of the traditional names for boys in India that is slowly making a comeback. In fact, this name was the second most popular among all Indian baby names in 2016. On the other hand, if you want to go for a more modern name and not traditional at all, try Aditya which means ‘one who is famous’.
3. Arjun
If you’re looking for a more traditional Indian name, try Arjun. In Hindu mythology, Arjun (also known as Arjuna) was the third of the Pandavas. He is also the main hero of the Mahabharata, an epic poem about a war that occurred in ancient India.
4. Darshan
Darshan is a Hindi word that means ‘sight’ or ‘vision’. It is also referred to as a glimpse of divinity as claimed in Hindu mythology by some sources.
5. Aarush
Aarush is a popular boy’s name in India that means ‘a ray of light’. Its use can be traced back to antiquity, where it is said that Aarush was the son of Parikshit and found by a doe who gave birth to him out of love for his father.
6. Vishal
This name means ‘pure’ or ‘clean’. This can be a good choice if you want a name that is rooted in Indian culture while not being too common.
7. Jai
This name, which is often paired with the names of deities or religious figures such as Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva, means ‘victory’ in Hindi and Sanskrit.
8. Avyaan
Avyaan means ‘eternal’. This name is popular among the Malayali community in India.
9. Aryan
Aryan means ‘noble’ and it is a fairly common name for boys in India that has its roots in Indian mythology. According to Hindu mythology, Aryan was attached to the Vrishaka lineage and was born out of the Sun god Surya’s sweat as claimed by some sources.
10. Advik
Advik is a fairly common and quite ancient name that means ‘prosperity’ or ‘fortunate’. This name was popular among Hindu kings during the Vedic period of Indian history.
11. Dhakshan
Dhakshan, which means ‘virtuous’, is popular among Indian Christians as it is believed to be derived from the Sanskrit word dhavaksha, meaning ‘dharma’. In some sources, this name is also derived from the Greek word Adlcamps.
12. Akarsh
Akarsh, which means ‘handsome’, is a popular name among the Tamil community in India.
13. Arya
Arya is quite a popular name in India that has its roots in Indian mythology. The mythological story goes like this – when Vasishtha’s second son Prajapati (or Prajapati) was born, he was so beautiful that sun god Surya fell in love with him.
14. Atharva
Atharva, which means ‘ancient’, is popular among the Parsi community in India that has its roots from the Vedic period of Indian history. The meaning of this name appears to be derived from an ancient sage who lived during the Vedic period and is mentioned in ancient Indian texts.
15. Dev
The name Dev, which means ‘god’, was popular among the Hindus during ancient times.
16. Aryaman
Aryaman is a popular name among the Jains in India that means ‘self-control, moderation and sobriety’. This name, which is based on Hindu mythology, is usually associated with Lord Rama.
17. Arhaan
Arhaan is a Hindi name that means ‘protector’ or ‘honorable’.
18. Arjun
This name is quite popular among people in India, especially the south Indians where its use can be traced back to antiquity. It means ‘destroyer of enemies’ and is derived from the Hindu god Indra’s son Arjuna who also happens to be a character in the epic Mahabharata. Some people also believe that this name can mean ‘son of Indra’.
19. Ahaan
Ahaan, which means ‘gift given by god’ is a fairly common name in India that has its roots in Indian history. According to Hindu mythology, Ahaan was the son of Indra and Shachi. He was also the twin brother of Maina and he became known as Parshurama after he freed the earth from Kshatriyas.
20. Ansh
If you’re looking for an Indian name that’s not very common but is easy to pronounce, try Ansh. It means ‘a breath of life’ and has its roots in Indian mythological characters. The name Ansh was popular among ancient Hindus.
21. Ashwin
Ashwin, which means ‘one who is wise’, is a fairly common name in India especially among families that belong to the upper-class, educated section of society. This name can also be spelled Ashvin or Ashwyn depending on the region you live in.
22. Adhrit
This is a pretty unique name that is popular among the Kamboj community in India. It translates to ‘brave and fearless’.
23. Harsh
Harsh, which means ‘severe’, is a fairly common name among the Jain community in India. This name can also be spelled Harsha if you live in the southern part of India. According to Hindu mythology, this name was derived from a king of the kingdom of Dwaravati and he was known as Hastinapur.
24. Bhaavik
This name means ‘devoted’ and is derived from the Sanskrit word bhaavan, meaning ’emotion’. It is sometimes pronounced as Bhaavak and Bhaavik is quite a popular name in India particularly among the Gujarati community.
25. Adarsh
This Hindi name means ‘ideal’ or ‘model’ and has its roots in Indian mythology. In fact, Adarsh was a deity who is mentioned in the Hindu holy books called Puranas.
26. Chitaksh
In addition to being a fairly common name, Chitaksh also means ‘brave’ or ‘tenacious’. It is derived from the Sanskrit word chita, meaning ‘victory’.
27. Ayush
Ayush is a relatively new name that means ‘life’, ‘energy’ or ‘vigour’. This name has become popular in recent years especially among Indian Americans in the United States.
28. Ambha
This name, which means ‘beautiful’, is popular among the Kannadiga community in India. It can also be spelled Ambika.
29. Abhijit
Abhijit means ‘fortunate’ and it has its roots in Hindu mythology as well. According to some sources, this name was derived from a sage who was very skilled in alchemy (the ability to transform elements) and could even turn himself into gold.
30. Daksh
Daksh means ‘successful’. This name has become increasingly popular in India and most Indians know this name well. This name can also be spelled Dakshin.
31. Alok
Alok is a fairly common name that means ‘graceful’. It is often used by Hindu Americans in the United States. (But it can also be spelled Aloka. Also, Aloka is a name with its roots in the Hindu mythology.)
32. Ankit
This is another name with its roots in the Indian mythology. According to Hindu mythology, Ankit was a son of Shyam and Shachi. He became a form of Vishnu after he freed the earth from Kshatriyas. This name can also be spelled Ankur or Ankurit or Ankhit or Anykit.
33. Darshit
This is a very common name among the people from the state of Gujarat in India. It means ‘wisdom’ or ‘knowledge’. This name can also be spelled Darshan or Darshit.
34. Bhaskar
Bhaskar, which means ‘shining’, is a popular name among both Hindus and Jains in India. It is sometimes used as a surname too.
35. Devansh
Devansh, which means ‘friend’, is a Hindi name that is fairly common in India. It can be spelled Devanshi or Devanshu depending on the region you are from. This name has its roots in Indian mythology as well.
36. Dhanuk
This name means ‘innocent’ or ‘pure’ and it has its roots in Hindu mythology. It’s also popular among the Jain community in India.
37. Dharav
This is another fairly common name among Hindus in India that means ‘endurance’. This name can also be spelled Dhavala or Dharvala.
38. Stuti
Stuti means ‘devotion’ or ‘praise’. This name, which is popular among the Jain community in India, is also used by Hindu families as a middle name.
39. Dhairya
Dhairya, which means ‘equal’, is used by the Kamboj community in India. It can also be spelled Dharman and Dharmanit.
40. Dhruv
This name means ‘great’. It is a fairly common name among the Indians especially among the upper-class, educated section of society and it also has its roots in Hindu mythology where this name was derived from maharaja Dhruva who was a king in ancient India.
41. Divij
This name means ‘divine’. This name is used by a lot of people in India. (You can also spell this name as Divi.) Divij is quite a popular name among the Gujarati community in India.
42. Dinesh
Dinesh, which means ‘sun’, is a very common and popular name in India. This name was derived from the Sanskrit word ‘dina’ which means ‘day’.
43. Divo
Divo, which means ‘divine light’, is a fairly new name that can be spelled in a variety of ways, including Divo or Divya. (Divya also means ‘divine light’.) This name is also used by both Hindus and Jains in India.
44. Divyansh
Divyansh means ‘divine’ or ‘brilliant’. This name is popular among the Indian population and it can be spelled in a variety of ways, including Devansh or Divya.
45. Divyesh
This name means ‘divine’ and it is popular among the people of Gujarat in India. It can also be spelled Devraj and Devrajit.
46. Ehsaan
This name means ‘gratitude’ and it is popular among Muslims in India. It can also be spelled Ehsan or Ehsin.
47. Aasif
Aasif means ‘helper’ or ‘friend’. This name, which is derived from the Arabic language, is quite a popular one among the Indian Muslims. It can also be spelled Aseed or Asif.
48. Eeshan
Eeshan means ‘helper’ or ‘friend’. This name is derived from the Sanskrit word eesh, meaning ‘help’ or ‘power’. This is another popular name among the Indian Muslims.
49. Feroz
Feroz means ‘conqueror’, which is quite a common name in India. The name was derived from the Sanskrit word phirosh meaning “invincible”. It can also be spelled Feroze or Phiroz.
50. Faiyyaz
Faiyyaz means ‘lover’ or ‘beloved’. This is a fairly common name in India and it was derived from the Sanskrit word phaet, meaning “to love”. It can also be spelled Fahad or Fahed.
51. Fatima
Fatima, which means ‘pure’ or ‘immaculate’, is a fairly popular name among Indians that is also popular among Muslims in South Asia. (It can also be spelled Fatima.) This name has its roots in Islam.
52. Firoz
Firoz is another fairly common name among the Indians that means ‘conqueror’ or ‘commander’. It is derived from the Sanskrit word phirosh meaning “invincible”. It can also be spelled Faiyyaz or Phiroz.
53. Farhan
Farhan means ‘bright’ or ‘smooth’. This name has its roots in Islamic mythology. This name was derived from the Arabic word faran meaning “brightness”.
54. Farheen
Farheen means ‘beautiful or bright’. This name is fairly popular among Muslims in South Asia, especially those from the Indian sub-continent. It can also be spelled Farhaan or Farhain.
55. Gatik
This name, which means ‘goddess’, is a fairly common name among Indians. It can also be spelled Gati.
56. Gitika
This is a fairly common name among the people of Gujarat in India, especially during the 1940s and 1950s. It means ‘song’ or ‘poem’. It is derived from Sanskrit word giti or gita meaning “song”.
57. Hardik
This is a fairly common name among the Hindus in India. It means ‘king’ and it is derived from the Sanskrit word raja meaning “king”.
58. Gauri
Gauri, which means ‘shining white’, is another very popular name among the Hindus of India. This name has its roots in the Hindu mythology where this goddess plays an important role. (It can also be spelled Gaurav or Gourie.)
59. Himmat
This is a fairly common name among the Indians. It means ‘courageous’ or ‘brave’ in Hindi and Urdu language. This name, which is derived from the Sanskrit word himmā meaning “embrace”, has its roots in ancient Hindu mythology.
60. Humayun
This is another common Indian name that means ‘radiant’. It has its roots in Islamic mythology and it is sometimes used as a surname too.
61. Isaac
Isaac, which means ‘laughter’, is a fairly popular name in India among the Christian population. It was derived from the Hebrew word ‘ishak’ meaning “laughter”. (It can also be spelled Isac.) This name has its roots in ancient Hebrew culture. It is not commonly used by the Muslims in India or Hindu community though.
62. Hriday
Hriday means ‘heart’ or ‘spirit’. It is derived from the Sanskrit word hrd meaning “heart”. This name is also used by the Jain community in India. (It can also be spelled Hrid.)
63. Ishaan
Ishaan means ‘laughter’ or ‘happy’. This name was derived from the Arabic word esaan meaning “to be, exist, or appear”. It is quite a popular name among Hindus in India. (It can also be spelled Iysa.
64. Hridaan
This is a rather common Indian name among the Hindus. It means ‘he/she/it is feeling cheerful’. It can also be spelled Hridan.
65. Isic
Isic, which means ‘laughter’, is one of the most popular names in India and it is derived from the Sanskrit word ‘ishak’ meaning “laughter”. (It can also be spelled Isac.) This name has its roots in ancient Hebrew culture which was originally called Eshkavah according to Israelites.
66. Hunar
Hunar means ‘talent’. This name was derived from the Sanskrit word hūnaara meaning “artist”.
67. Huyy
This is a rather unusual name that means ‘honor’ or ‘prestige’ in some Indian languages. It is derived from the Hindi word huee meaning “honor”.
68. Ilan
This is a fairly popular name among the Muslims in South Asia, mainly because of its association with Allah (God). It means ’emperor’ or ‘king’.
69. Iqbal
Iqbal, which means ‘joyful’, is a fairly common name among Muslims in India. This name is derived from the Arabic word iqb meaning “joy”. Though this name was originally from Arabic, it isn’t used much among Muslim Indians or people of South Asia as a whole. (It can also be spelled Ibraheem.)
70. Ikshit
Ikshit means ‘just’ or ‘righteous’. This name was derived from the Sanskrit word ikshita meaning “doer”.
71. Jaiyush
Jaiyush means ‘Goddess of victory’ or ‘victory’. This name was derived from the Sanskrit word yasti meaning “to defeat” or “win”.
72. Jahan
Jahan means ‘great’ or ‘huge’ in Urdu, Hindi, English and other languages. This name is derived from the Arabic word jahannam meaning “hell”. Though this name has its roots in Islam, it is rarely found among Muslims in India nowadays.
73. Jivin
Jivin means ‘victorious’ or ‘blowing’. This name is derived from the Sanskrit word jivitam meaning “victory”.
74. Kabir
Kabir, which means ‘knowledge’, is a fairly common name among Hindus in India. This name has its roots in Hindu mythology. It is derived from the Sanskrit word kavya meaning “knowledge”. (It can also be spelled Kabir.)
75. Kushagra
Kushagra means ‘pleasure’ or ‘satisfaction’. This name is derived from the Sanskrit word kusumakara meaning “flower-faced”.
76. Komal
This is a fairly common Indian name that means gentle’ or ‘soft’. It is derived from the Hindi word kumari meaning “girl”. (It can also be spelled Kamal.)
77. Lakshay
This is a fairly common name among the Hindus in India. It means ‘warrior’. This name is derived from the Sanskrit word laksha meaning “army”.
78. Lokesh
Lokesh means ‘pleasure’ or ‘satisfaction’. This name is derived from the Sanskrit word laksa meaning “ecstasy, pleasure”. It is also used as a nickname. (It can also be spelled Lokes.)
79. Lauhit
This is a fairly common name among the Hindus in India. It means ‘the highest’ or ‘the greatest’. It is derived from the Sanskrit word loka meaning “world”.
80. Manan
This is one of the most commonly used names in India. It means ‘peace’ or ‘beautiful’. It is derived from the Sanskrit word manas meaning “mind”.
81. Manav
Manav means ‘human being’ or ‘individual’. This name is derived from the Sanskrit word manava meaning “man”.
82. Mandar
Mandar means ‘beautiful blossom’ or ‘flower’. It is derived from the Sanskrit word mandara meaning “flower cluster”. (It can also be spelled Mandal and Mandir.)
83. Maneesh
This is a fairly common name among Hindus in India or Muslims in Pakistan. It means ‘permanent’. This name was derived from the Sanskrit word māna meaning “mind”. (It can also be spelled Manoj and Manu.)
84. Mandavya
Mandavya means ‘knowledgeable’. This name is derived from the Sanskrit word mantra meaning “idea” or “wisdom”. It is a very rare name. (It can also be spelled Mandabhya.)
85. Medhansh
Medhansh means ‘mind’ or ‘intellect’. This name is derived from the Sanskrit word medhana meaning “intellect”.
86. Navodit
Navodit means ‘wise’ or ‘intelligent’. This name was derived from the Sanskrit word nava meaning “new” and dita meaning “knowledge”.
87. Nayyar
This is a fairly common name among Muslims in India. It means ‘pleasing’ or ‘beautiful’. This name was derived from the Arabic word nayyara meaning “beautiful”.
88. Nihal
Nihal means ‘profit’ or ‘benefit’. This name was derived from the Sanskrit word nikhila meaning “all” or “complete”. This is an uncommon name.
89. Nisar
Nisar means ‘support’ or ‘help’. This name was derived from the Arabic word nasr meaning “help” or “support”. (It can also be spelled Nasir.) This is a rather common Indian Muslim name. (It can also be spelled Naser.)
90. Nimit
This is a fairly common name among the Hindus in India. It means ‘victory’ or ‘victorious’. This name was derived from the Sanskrit word nimita meaning “goal”.
91. Nirvik
Nirvik means ‘without fear’. This name was derived from the Sanskrit word vikrami meaning “without fear”. (It can also be spelled Niravik.)
92. Nysh
This is a rather uncommon Indian name that means ‘new’ or ‘fresh’. It is derived from the Sanskrit word nyas meaning “new”.
93. Pabitra
This is a fairly common name among the Hindus in India. It means ‘wealth’ or ‘riches’. This name was derived from the Sanskrit word patra meaning “profit”. (It can also be spelled Papitha.)
94. Parath
Parath means ‘protection’ or ‘restraint’. This name was derived from the Sanskrit word parati meaning “protection”.
95. Parvat
This is a fairly popular name among the Hindus in India, mainly because of its association with Mount Everest. This name was derived from the Sanskrit word pārvatī meaning “younger sister”. (It can also be spelled Paravati.)
96. Parwa
Parwa means ‘beautiful beauty’. This name is derived from the Sanskrit word pārva meaning “beautiful”. (It can also be spelled Parv and Parvva.)
97. Prabhu
Prabhu means ‘Lord’. This name was derived from the Sanskrit word pārvatī meaning “Lord”. An alternate spelling of this name is Pravin. (It can also be spelled Prabh and Prabhuwa.)
98. Nishith
This is a fairly common name among Hindus in India. It means ‘victory’ or ‘victorious’. This name was derived from the Sanskrit word nishit meaning “victory”. (It can also be spelled Nishitha.)
99. Radeep
This is a fairly common name among the Hindus in India. It means ‘free gift’ or ‘available gift’. This name was derived from the Sanskrit word rādha meaning “free”. (It can also be spelled Radeep and Radheep.)
100. Ruhil
This is a very popular Muslim name among the Turks, especially in Turkey and Europe. It means ‘the imagination’ or ‘the inner-self’. This name was derived from the Persian word ruh meaning “soul”. (It can also be spelled Rouhal, Ruhel, Rouhil and Rouheel.)