Buddhist and Hindu Given Names: Origin, Meaning, and Spellings

Linguistic and Cultural Roots

When exploring names from Hinduism and Buddhism, you will inevitably encounter certain ancient languages. Sanskrit is the classical language of the Vedas (the oldest Hindu scriptures) and many early Buddhist texts. Pali is the language of Theravada Buddhism, in which the oldest surviving discourses of the Buddha were recorded. In addition, Tibetan plays a significant role in Vajrayana Buddhism, as do modern Indian languages such as Hindi.

Hindu names are very often derived from deities, their epithets, or heroes from epic works like the Mahabharata. Buddhist names, on the other hand, more frequently refer to spiritual concepts, virtues, or historical companions of the Buddha. Because both traditions evolved on the Indian subcontinent, there are many overlaps and names that are rooted in both.

The Names and Their Origins

Here you will find an overview of names used in Buddhist or Hindu contexts. The meanings are categorized according to their verifiable documentation.

• Ananda: This name comes from Sanskrit and Pali. Its documented meaning is "bliss" or "joy". Ananda was the cousin and one of the closest disciples of the historical Buddha.
• Arjun: A documented Sanskrit name meaning "white", "clear", or "radiant". Arjun (or Arjuna) is one of the central heroes of the Hindu epic Mahabharata.
• Asha: The Indian name form Asha belongs to Sanskrit āśā, "hope" or "wish". The identically spelled Swahili form has a different etymology and is associated with "to live".
• Bodhi: This term originates from Sanskrit and Pali and is documented as meaning "awakening" or "enlightenment". In Buddhism, the Bodhi tree is the sacred fig under which Siddhartha Gautama attained his awakening.
• Devi: A Sanskrit word that simply means "goddess". In Hinduism, the term is often used as a title for the feminine manifestation of the divine.
• Indira: This name traces back to Sanskrit and means "beauty" or "splendor". In Hindu tradition, it is a well-known epithet of the goddess Lakshmi.
• Karma: A central concept from Sanskrit with the documented meaning of "act", "action", or "deed". While primarily known in the West as a philosophical concept, Karma is also given as a first name (for all genders), particularly in Tibetan Buddhism.
• Kavi: A documented Sanskrit name meaning "poet" or "wise man". In ancient Vedic texts, the word often denotes someone with profound insight.
• Kiran: The underlying root of this Sanskrit name means "ray of light" or "sunbeam". It is given to both boys and girls throughout the Indian linguistic sphere.
• Maya: The name is widely translated as "illusion" or "creative power" when referring to Sanskrit. In Buddhist tradition, the mother of the Buddha was named Maya. However, the name also has completely independent, documented origins in Greek and Hebrew. A single generalized meaning would be inaccurate here.
• Mila: In Slavic naming history, Mila is a short form of names containing the element milŭ, "dear" or "cherished". In Nordic naming practices, other short forms exist, such as via Milla from Camilla or Emilia. The Slavic meaning does not automatically apply to these forms. A reference to a Buddhist figure would be a personal naming motive; it does not establish a verified Buddhist etymology for this short form.
• Nila: A name of Sanskrit origin. Its documented meaning is "dark blue" or "sapphire blue".
• Priya: This given name traces back to Sanskrit; its underlying word root means "beloved" or "darling".
• Ravi: A documented Sanskrit name meaning "sun". Ravi is also the name of the Hindu sun god.
• Rohan: The Indian name Rohan belongs to Sanskrit rohaṇa, "ascent". Independently, Rohan designates a realm in Tolkien's fictional world. This literary reference is not an etymological source of the Indian name.
• Siddhartha: This name is documented from Sanskrit as "one who has achieved his goal". It is the birth name of the historical Buddha (Siddhartha Gautama).
• Sita: A documented Sanskrit name with the literal meaning of "furrow". In Hindu mythology, Sita is the wife of Rama and a central figure in the epic Ramayana.
• Tara: The frequently cited translation for this Sanskrit name is "star" or "savior". Tara is an important goddess in Hinduism as well as a central female Buddha in Tibetan Buddhism.
• Tenzin: This name originates from Tibetan. Its documented meaning is "holder of the teaching". It is one of the given names of the current Dalai Lama and is widely given in Tibet.
• Veda: A Sanskrit word meaning "knowledge" or "sacred lore". The Vedas are the oldest and most important sacred scriptures of Hinduism.
• Yash: A short, documented Sanskrit name. Its meaning is "glory", "honor", or "success".

Transcription and Pronunciation in Everyday Life

If you decide on a name from Sanskrit, Pali, or Tibetan, you are choosing a name originally written in a different script (such as Devanagari or Tibetan script). This comes with a few special considerations for everyday life in a German-speaking environment.

Transliteration into the Latin alphabet often leads to different spelling variations. Additionally, Indian languages feature sounds that do not exist in German. A classic example is the aspirated "th" in Siddhartha or the "dh" in Bodhi. Originally, a "t" or "d" is spoken here with an audible, aspirated breath sound. In the German-speaking area, these names are usually adapted to local reading habits and simply pronounced with a hard "t" or soft "d".

Say your favorites out loud together with your last name. Pay attention to how the transition from the last letter of the first name to the first letter of the last name sounds. A smooth transition without stumbling makes it easier for your child to introduce themselves later on.

How to Make Your Choice

Finding the right name often requires some coordination between the two of you. It is best to start by independently deciding which names you generally like. That way, you won't influence each other.

HeyName helps you with this process. You can connect your devices via invite and use the app together. Using the filter function, you can search specifically for names of a certain origin or length. Each of you evaluates suggested names independently as "Favorite", "Maybe", or "Not a fit". Names that both of you marked as a favorite will then appear as your mutual matches. You can then discuss this shortlist at your own pace and try out right in the app how the first name looks combined with a potential middle name and your last name.

Editorial update: September 22, 2026

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