Top 200 Indian Boy Names and Their Meanings

If you’re looking for a special name for your little boy, you might like to consider dipping into the history of India. Its ancient culture, along with multiple languages and religious traditions, may offer up numerous naming options that are unparalleled in their uniqueness. Whether you’re Indian American or your family has Indian heritage, or you’d like a name to set your baby apart from the crowd, check out this list of popular, modern, cool, unique, and cute Indian boy names.

Selecting Indian Names for Boys

If you’re considering Indian names for boys, you might like to learn more about how names are traditionally chosen before making your final decision. In India, naming is often influenced by region and religion. Here’s a brief introduction to India’s regional languages and religions.

India’s Regional Languages

Here are some of the main regional languages that can be found in India as well as in its bordering nations. These may influence your choice of name.

• Hindi is the main language in India and the fourth-most commonly spoken language in the world. It’s used mostly in northern, eastern, central, and western India.

• Urdu is the main language of Pakistan, whose main religion is Islam. It’s also used in northern and south-central India.

• Telugu belongs to the Dravidian language family and is spoken mostly in southeastern India.

• Marathi is spoken in the Indian state of Maharashtra in western India.

• Kannada is also part of the Dravidian language family and is spoken mostly by the Karnataka people in southwestern India.

• Gujarati is the language spoken in the Indian state of Gujarat in western India. It’s also one of the most common Indian languages in the United States and Canada.

• Tamil is another Dravidian language found in in southern India and Sri Lanka.

• Punjabi is spoken in the Indian state of Punjab in northwestern India and eastern Pakistan.

• Bengali is spoken in eastern India and Bangladesh.

India’s Religions

When searching for Indian male names, you may realize that all your options are influenced by the various religions in India and its bordering nations. Here are the some religions that may come up in your name search for Indian boy names:

• Hinduism is the most ancient religion in the world and the world’s third-largest religion with 95 percent of its believers living in India. Hindu naming options derive from its polytheistic mythology, astrology, philosophy, and cosmology.

• Sikhism is the fourth-largest religion in India. It’s traditional for males to be given the middle name Singh, which means “lion.”

• Islam is India’s second-most commonly followed religion. Muslims in India follow Islamic naming conventions, which often have roots in Arabic or Persian.

• Jainism is one of the world’s oldest religions. Followers commonly use Jain, Shah, Firodia, Singhal, or Gupta as their last name.

Naming Conventions

As is true with most Asian boy names, choosing Indian baby boy names involves many factors beyond region and religion. Here are some examples as to how names are used in India:

• In northern India, people have a given name followed by a surname.

• In southern India, surnames are uncommon, and are usually adopted by people who migrate.

• The meanings of given names are of the utmost importance, and names for children are chosen specifically for that reason.

• Followers of Hinduism consult an astrologer to help them choose a name for their child that’s based on a horoscope reading. The astrologer will select a prefix for the parents, who will then choose a name including that specific prefix. For example, the astrologer may specify the prefix Su, and the parents can then choose from among names such as Sunil, Suraj, Surendra, Surya, etc.

Common and Popular Indian Boy Names

The following men’s names of Indian origin made up the top 10 in the United States in 2021. If you’re looking for a popular Indian name that’s also relatively common for your little boy, the perfect option may just be on this list!

1. Amir. Meaning “commander, prince” in Arabic, this Indian boy name was originally used as a title—in English you may recognize it as the word emir. The name is used predominantly by Urdu speakers in India.

2. Muhammad. In Arabic, this very popular name means “praised, commendable,” as it’s derived from the Arabic word hamida, which means “to praise.” The most famous bearer of the name was the Prophet Muhammad, who founded the Islamic religion in the seventh century after having been visited by the angel Gabriel. The name is popular among speakers of Urdu, Punjabi, Pashto, and Bengali.

3. Hassan. This name originated with Hassan ibn Thabit, a seventh-century poet who accompanied the Prophet Muhammad. In Arabic, the name—sometimes spelled as Hasan—means “beautifier, improver.” It’s used by Urdu speakers.

4. Rohan. So, what is the best Hindu boy name? Rohan is the most popular Hindu name for a boy in the United States. Derived from the Sanskrit word rohana, it means “ascending.” If you’re having twin boys, you might like to pair Rohan with the Irish boy’s name Ronan, which means “little seal.”

5. Vihaan. This Hindi boy name comes from the Sanskrit word vihana, which means “dawn” or “morning.”

6. Kabir. This Indian boy name means “great, powerful, leader” in Arabic. There are many more letter K names for boys that you could also look at.

7. Zahir. This unique Indian boy name is derived from the Arabic word zahir, which means “helper, supporter.” It’s used by speakers of Punjabi, Urdu, and Bengali.

8. Ishaan. This Hindu name of Sanskrit origin refers to the guardian of the northeast direction. He’s typically depicted with the deity Shiva.

9. Mustafa. This Indian boy name is used by Urdu speakers and means “the chosen one” in Arabic. Mustafa is also an epithet of Muhammad.

10. Avyaan. This Sanskrit name means “beginning,” and is often associated with the Hindu gods Vishnu and Ganesha.

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Classic Indian Boy Names

You may be wondering, what is a good Indian name for a boy? Like with country boy names, you can’t go wrong with a classic or traditional name that’s steeped in history. You’ll find many options to fit your specific needs in this list of classic Indian boys’ names.

11. Deepak. Also spelled Dipak, this name of Sanskrit origin means “inflaming, exciting.” Originally spelled Dipaka, it’s an epithet for the Hindu god of love, Kama. A famous bearer of the name is author Deepak Chopra. The name is commonly used in Hindi, Marathi, Bengali, Gujarati, Punjabi, Malayalam, Kannada, Tamil, Telugu, and Nepali.

12. Ganesha. You can’t get more classic than this Indian boy’s name, which refers to the Hindu god of wisdom who’s depicted with the head of an elephant. The Sanskrit name means “lord of the multitude.” The name is most used by those following Hinduism.

13. Krishna. Although the meaning of this name (“black, dark”) is rather bleak, the name refers to the most supreme Hindu god, Krishna, an incarnation of the god Vishnu. This Hindu boy’s name is used by speakers of Hindi, Marathi, Bengali, Gujarati, Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, Malayalam, and Nepali.

14. Manish. This Indian boy’s name means “thought” or “wisdom,” and it’s used by speakers of Hindi, Marathi, Bengali, Malayalam, Punjabi, Tamil, and Nepali.

15. Rahul. Meaning “able, efficient” in Sanskrit, this name was the name of the Buddha’s son. The traditional name is used by speakers of Hindi, Marathi, Bengali, Assamese, Odia, Gujarati, Punjabi, Malayalam, Tamil, Kannada, and Telugu.

16. Ravindra. This name combines the meaning “sun” with the name of the Hindu god Indra. It’s also used as an epithet for the Hindu god of the sun, Surya. It’s used in the Hindi, Marathi, Telugu, and Kannada languages.

17. Siddhartha. The Buddha’s original name was Siddhartha, which in Sanskrit means “one who has accomplished a goal,” a beautiful meaning for a little boy who will surely have many accomplishments ahead of him.

18. Sukhwinder. This name used by the Sikh community means “pleasant” or “happy” in Sanskrit, combined with the name of the Hindu god Indra.

19. Surendra. Meaning “lord of gods” in Sanskrit, this name is often used as an epithet for the god Indra. It’s common in Hindi, Marathi, Telugu, and Nepali.

20. Vishnu. Meaning “all-pervasive” in Sanskrit, Vishnu is a supreme Hindu god depicted with four arms and blue skin. He is the protector and preserver of the universe. The name is common in Malayalam, Kannada, Telugu, Tamil, Hindi, and Marathi.

More Classic Indian Boy Names

If the above 10 names weren’t enough, here are 10 more classic Indian boy names for you to consider:

Choosing a baby name can be fun yet also overwhelming. Watch this video for some exciting facts that could help you find the perfect baby name!

Modern Indian Boy Names

Maybe classic isn’t your thing! Well, these modern Indian boy’s names are based on traditional names but have a modern twist, often dropping the last vowel letter to make the name sound more current.

31. Anant. Meaning “infinite, endless,” this Indian boy’s name is the modern version of the traditional name Ananta, which is often used as an epithet for the Hindu god Vishnu or the goddess Parvati. It’s common in Hindi and Marathi.

32. Bhaskar. As the modern form of the name Bhaskara, this Indian boy’s name means “shining.” It’s often used as an epithet for the Hindu god Shiva, and it was the name of a renowned twelfth-century Indian astronomer. The name is used in Hindi, Marathi, Telugu, and Kannada.

33. Dilip. Traditionally spelled Dilipa, this modern variant of the Sanskrit name means “protector of Delhi,” referring to the northern Indian city, which itself means “threshold.” Several Indian kings bore this name, which is used by speakers of Hindi, Marathi, Gujarati, Bengali, Kannada, Tamil, Telugu, and Malayalam.

34. Dinesh. Meaning simply “day lord” in Sanskrit, this modern Indian boy’s name (originally spelled Dinesha) can be found in ancient Hindu texts, used as the name for the sun. It’s common among speakers of Hindi, Marathi, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada, Gujarati, Bengali, Punjabi, Nepali, and Sinhalese.

35. Harish. This could be quite a funny Indian name for you little boy as it means “lord of monkeys” in Sanskrit. Originally spelled as Harisha, it’s often used as an epithet for the Hindu god Vishnu. It’s frequently used by speakers of Hindi, Marathi, Gujarati, Kannada, Tamil, Telugu, and Malayalam.

36. Kumar. Derived from the Sanskrit word kumala, this modern Indian boy’s name means “boy” or “son.” It can be an epithet for both the Hindu gods Agni (fire god) and Skanda (war god). The name is used in the Hindi, Marathi, Bengali, Assamese, Odia, Gujarati, Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada, and Nepali languages.

37. Lakshman. You’ll love this Indian name for your little boy as it means “having lucky marks” in Sanskrit. Think of it as the Hindu version of the name Lucky. Originally spelled Lakshmana, the name appears in the Hindu epic the Ramayana, in which Lakshman accompanies the hero Rama into exile.

38. Prabhakar. Another name with a very appealing meaning, “light maker,” is Prabhakara, whose modern form loses the last letter. The name is also used in ancient Hindu texts to represent the sun. A renowned Hindu scholar also bore this name. You’ll find the name among Kannada, Telugu, Tamil, Marathi, and Hindi speakers.

39. Shankar. Combining the Sanskrit words sham, meaning “auspicious, lucky” and kara, meaning “maker,” this Indian boy’s name is another good choice for setting your little boy up with lots of luck. The name is used as an epithet for the Hindu god Shiva and was borne by a ninth-century Indian religious philosopher. The name is common among Hindi, Marathi, Kannada, Malayalam, Telugu, Tamil, Bengali, and Nepali speakers.

40. Vikram. Meaning “stride,” “pace,” or “valor,” this Sanskrit letter V baby boy name is used by speakers of Hindi, Marathi, Gujarati, Telugu, Tamil, and Kannada. It’s the modern form of Vikrama, an epithet of the Hindu god Vishnu.

More Modern Indian Boy Names

Here are even more modern Indian boys’ names to choose from.

Unique Indian Boy Names

The Indian boys’ names listed here not only have unique sounds but also have unique meanings. Choose from among this list if you're searching for a unique boys’ name for your one-of-a-kind little guy.

51. Dharma. This Indian boy’s name has a very stoic meaning of “law,” “duty,” or “virtue.” If you wish all these things for your son, choose this name, which is common among speakers of Hindi, Telugu, and Nepali.

52. Jayesh. Combining two Sanskrit words jaya and isha, this name means “lord of victory,” a unique and powerful meaning for your little boy. The name is often used by Hindi, Marathi, and Gujarati speakers.

53. Kartik. This is the Sanskrit name for the constellation of Pleiades, which is also in the constellation of Taurus. If your son is born under that astrological sign, you might like to choose this name.

54. Mitra. In Sanskrit, this name means “friend,” and it’s used by speakers of Hindi. it’s also the name of the Hindu god of friendship who is mentioned in the Rigveda, an ancient collection of Sanskrit hymns.

55. Pravin. Used by speakers of Marathi, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Telugu, Tamil, and Malayalam, this name of Sanskrit origins means “skilled,” a great choice for a little boy who will be skilled at whatever he chooses to do in life.

56. Rashmi. A new little baby brings light into your life, so why not choose a name with that exact meaning, “ray of sunlight”?

57. Sampath. Among your wishes for your new baby boy may be “success” and “wealth,” the exact meanings of this name used in the Kannada, Telugu, Tamil, and Sinhalese languages.

58. Shakti. This name can be considered unisex since in Hinduism it’s often used to refer to the female counterpart of Shiva, sometimes referred to as Parvati. The name means “power” in Sanskrit.

59. Sikandar. If you’re looking for a Western-sounding Indian boy’s name for your baby, you may like this Urdu and Pashto form of the name Alexander.

60. Vishal. Meaning “wide, broad, spacious,” this name of Sanskrit origin is used in many parts of India and elsewhere by speakers of Hindi, Marathi, Gujarati, Punjabi, Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, and Bengali.

More Unique Indian Boy Names

We can’t just leave you with 10 options for unique Indian boys’ names, so here are 10 more for you to consider:

Cool Indian Boy Names

The “it” factor can't be overlooked when it comes to choosing a name for your little guy. So, if you're wondering what is the coolest Indian boy name, you can look at this list and consider choosing any of these cool Indian boys’ names, which all capture coolness in their meanings as well as in their melodic sounds.

71. Arjun. In Sanskrit this name means “white, clear.” In Ancient Hindu texts, Arjuna (the old-fashioned spelling) is a hero, the son of the god Indra and Princess Kunti. You’ll find the name quite popular as it’s used in the Hindi, Marathi, Kannada, Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam, Gujarati, Bengali, and Nepali languages.

72. Ashok. Originally spelled Ashoka, this name means “without sorrow” in Sanskrit. With this name you can almost guarantee your son will be joyous! The modern spelling of the name is used by speakers of Hindi, Marathi, Bengali, Gujarati, Kannada, Tamil, Telugu, and Nepali.

73. Bharat. Bharata (the original spelling of the name) is an epithet for the Hindu god of fire, Agni, another name also on this list. In Sanskrit the name means “being maintained.” An interesting fact: Bharat is the official name of the country of India in various Indian languages.

74. Murugan. This Tamil name possibly comes from a Dravidian word meaning “youth.” The letter M baby boy name is also used by the Tamil war god who is on par with the Hindu god Skanda.

75. Nikhil. In Sanskrit, this name has a very wholesome meaning, “whole, entire.” It’s used by speakers of Hindi, Marathi, Gujarati, Odia, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada, and Tamil.

76. Kapil. Originally spelled Kapila, the name means “reddish brown” in Sanskrit and derives from the word for monkey. In the Mahabharata, one of the Hindu epics, Kapila is the name of a sage.

77. Ravi. meaning “sun” in Sanskrit, the name Ravi is also used by the Hindu god of the sun. A famous modern bearer of this name was musician Ravi Shankar.

78. Sanjay. Another name that appears in the Mahabharata is Sanjaya, which means “triumphant.” The modern name Sanjay is used in Hindi, Marathi, Bengali, Odia, Gujarati, Kannada, Malayalam, Telugu, Tamil, and Nepali.

79. Shahjahan. This Urdu name is well known because it was the name of the seventeenth-century Mughal emperor who built the Taj Mahal in India. The name means “king of the world,” the perfect moniker for your little boy.

80. Viraj. Originally spelled Viraja, this Sanskrit name means “ruling” or “sovereign.” It was also the name of one of the Hindu god Brahma’s children. We’re sure that your little boy will be the sovereign of your heart!

More Cool Indian Boy Names

Let’s keep the coolness going with 10 more cool Indian boys’ names:

Cute Indian Boy Names

What constitutes a cute name? Well, it can sound cute, or it could have a cute meaning, or a bit of both. So, here are some cute Indian boys’ names for you to peruse.

91. Ankur. This Indian boy’s name simply means “sapling, sprout, shoot” in Sanskrit. What could be cuter than that?

92. Kishor. If you’re a lover of horses, you may like this name for your little boy since it means “colt,” the name for a male baby horse.

93. Raghu. Meaning “swift” in Sanskrit, this name appears in the Hindu epics as the great-grandfather of Rama. It was also the name of the Buddha’s son.

94. Rajiv. This cute Indian boy’s name means “striped” in Sanskrit. It refers to the blue lotus mentioned in ancient Hindu texts. The name is used by speakers of Hindi, Marathi, Malayalam, Tamil, and Nepali. Alternate spellings of the name include Rajeev and Rajib (Bengali).

95. Rishi. If you think your little boy is a wise, little sage, you may like this name of Sanskrit origin, which means “sage” or “poet.”

96. Rohit. This cute name not only sounds cute, but it also has the cute meaning of “red.” It’s used by speakers of Hindi, Marathi, Bengali, Odia, Gujarati, Kannada, Telugu, and Nepali.

97. Sachin. This adorable Indian boy’s name simply means “true” or “real.” It’s also the name of Indian cricket player Sachin Tendulkar.

98. Singh. This name, used by those who follow Sikhism, means “lion.” It’s most often used as a middle name for boys.

99. Sunil. Combining the Sanskrit words su and nila, this Indian boy’s name means “very dark blue.” You may like this name if dark blue is one of your favorite colors.

100. Surya. Known as the Hindu god of the sun, Surya is also used as a name for the sun. It’s used by speakers of Telugu, Kannada, Tamil, Malayalam, Hindi, Marathi, Nepali, and Indonesian.

More Cute Indian Boy Names

And here are 10 more cute Indian boy names to think about:

Short Indian Boy Names

Short boy names are a great idea if you’re looking for something punchy and sweet in one or two syllables. These short Indian boy names achieve just that!

111. Arya. If you’re looking at unisex baby names for your new baby, you may like Arya, which has Persian roots and means “noble.” It’s used by speakers of Hindi and Malayalam.

112. Ayan. In Sanskrit, this boy’s name means “road, path, procession.” It’s common among Bengali speakers.

113. Deep. This is an alternate spelling of the Indian boy’s name Dip, the masculine form of the female name Dipa, which means “light” or “lamp” in Sanskrit. The name is used by Hindi, Marathi, Gujarati, Bengali, and Punjabi speakers.

114. Dev. This Indian boy’s name simply means “god,” derived from the Sanskrit word deva.

115. Gul. Of Persian origin, this Indian boy’s name means “flower” or “rose” in Urdu and Pashto.

116. Hari. With variant meanings like “brown, yellow, tawny” and “monkey,” “horse,” or “lion,” feel free to choose the one you prefer. This name of Sanskrit origin is an epithet for the Hindu god Vishna and sometimes of the god Krishna. It’s commonly used among Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, and Nepali speakers.

117. Harsh. Harsha was a seventh-century emperor of northern India. This variant spelling of the boy’s name is used by Hindi, Marathi, and Gujarati speakers in northern India.

118. Indra. Indra is the Hindu warrior god of rain and sky, which is fitting since this name means “possessing drops of rain” in Sanskrit. What a beautiful image to picture every time you call your son by name. Not to mention that baby boy names beginning with the letter I are unique.

119. Jay. Mostly used in northern India, this Hindu name derives from the Sanskrit word jaya, which means “victory.” Jaya is also used as an epithet for the Hindu goddess Durga. This Western-sounding Indian boy’s name is used by speakers of Hindi, Marathi, and Gujarati.

120. Sher. Of Persian origin, this boy’s name simply means “lion” in Urdu and Pashto. A ferocious meaning indeed! A famous bearer of the name was the sixteenth-century Mughal ruler.

More Short Indian Boy Names

Here are 10 more short Indian boy names for you to consider:

Powerful Indian Boy Names

Powerful boy names can capture all the ambitious deeds you’d like for your little guy to achieve in this world. Here are some powerful and masculine Indian boy names that may appeal to you:

131. Abhay. If you’d like to imbue your son with fearlessness, choose this name of Sanskrit origin. It means “fearless” and is used by Hindi and Marathi speakers.

132. Abhijit. In Sanskrit the star Vega is called Abhijit, which means “victorious.” You may like this name if you’re into astronomy. This Indian boy’s name is commonly used by speakers of Hindi, Marathi, and Bengali.

133. Abrar. This boys’ name of Arabic origin means “virtuous.” Although the name is considered feminine in the Arab world, Urdu speakers in Pakistan, India, and Bangladesh use the name for boys.

134. Agni. In Sanskrit, Agni means “fire.” It’s also the name of the Hindu god of fire who is typically shown with red skin, three legs, seven arms, and two faces.

135. Ajay. This Western-sounding Indian boy’s name (easy to pronounce as AJ) could make a great option for your baby. Meaning “unconquered” in Sanskrit, the name is used by speakers of Hindi, Marathi, Gujarati, Bengali, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, and Tamil.

136. Anish. This Indian boys’ name has three meanings in Sanskrit, “supreme,” “paramount,” and “without a ruler.” If you’d like your son to be unlimited in life, choose this name.

137. Balwinder. This Sikh male name is derived from the Sanskrit word bala, which means “strength, might,” combined with the name of the Hindu god Indra.

138. Durai. This Tamil boy’s name simply means “chief, leader.” Choose this letter D name for your son if your intuition tells you he was born to lead!

139. Jaya. This Indian name is traditionally unisex in that in northern India it’s used for girls, but in southern India, it’s used for boys or girls. The name is derived from the Sanskrit word for victory. It’s commonly used as an epithet for the Hindu goddess Durga. It’s used by Hindi, Marathi, Tamil, and Telugu speakers.

140. Rajesh. This Indian boy name combines two Sanskrit words, raja and isha, to mean “ruler of kings.” It’s used by speakers of Hindi, Marathi, Bengali, Gujarati, Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, and Nepali. The name has lately been popularized by a character in the hit TV show The Big Bang Theory.

More Powerful Indian Boy Names

Powerful in sound and/or in meaning, these masculine Indian boy names are ones that connote determination and ambition.

Even More Indian Boy Names

If you still haven’t found just the right name in our extensive list above, here are 40 more Indian boy names for you to look at.

The Bottom Line

Whether you like the allure of Eastern names or are Indian American or of Indian heritage, you may likely be able to assemble a strong shortlist of Indian baby names for your boy from this epic list. If not, there are plenty of other cultures you could look to for inspiration. Why not peruse our extensive baby name articles on Japanese boy names, Korean boy names, or Chinese boy names? If you’re feeling lucky, you could pick a name for your baby boy at random using our Baby Name Generator—it’s worth the fun! If you still can’t seem to pinpoint just the right name for your son, you might like to check our extensive lists for names starting with the letter A through the entire alphabet to names beginning with the letter Z.