Hindi Names for Boys
Updated Tue Jun 09 2020
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Hindi names for boys have their roots in the musical Hindi language, which is one of the five most spoken languages in the world. But powerful Hindi baby names remain remarkably underused outside of the South-Asian subcontinent, even though many strong and simple Hindi boy names — like Navin, Ravi and Rohan — feel like they could travel anywhere. From Vikram to Vivaan, we think these Hindi boys' names have a special kind of energy and vibrancy, thanks to their spiky consonant sounds and eye-catching double vowels.
Find our full list of striking boy baby names of Hindi origin here. The top names below rank among the current US Top 1000 Baby Names and are ordered by popularity. Unique names rank below the Top 1000 and are listed alphabetically.
Find our full list of striking boy baby names of Hindi origin here. The top names below rank among the current US Top 1000 Baby Names and are ordered by popularity. Unique names rank below the Top 1000 and are listed alphabetically.
- Aarav
Origin:
HindiMeaning:
"peaceful"Description:
Aarav is derived from the Sanskrit root "rav," which is related to peace and music. Aarav is also associated with the concept of wisdom. It has traditionally been a common name among Hindus, who intentionally select names to inspire particular values in their children.
- Ravi
Origin:
HindiMeaning:
"conferring"Description:
A title of the Hindu sun god, made cross-culturally famous by sitar player Ravi Shankar.
- Rohan
Origin:
Spelling variation of Rowan or HindiMeaning:
"sandalwood"Description:
From India, but feels like an Irish surname (and can in fact be a variation of Rowan), so a possible cross-cultural choice.
- Reyansh
Origin:
HindiMeaning:
"ray of light"Description:
This unusual Indian name, which refers to one of the names of Lord Vishnu, has been one of the fastest-growing boys' names of the last decade. It first managed to climb into the US Top 1000 in 2014. The nickname Rey Americanizes it.
- Surya
Origin:
HindiMeaning:
"sun god"Description:
Graceful Indian choice that may sound feminine to the Western ear but is in fact the name of a male god. One form of worship of Surya that may be familiar to Westerners is the sun salutation in yoga.
- Siddharth
Origin:
SanskritMeaning:
"one who has accomplished a goal"Description:
Siddhartha Gautama was one of the real names of Buddha, making this an impressive and weighty name among the Buddhist community.
- Arjun
Origin:
HindiMeaning:
"bright, shining, white"Description:
Popular in India and among Indo-Americans, this name of the hero of a famous Hindu epic has an extremely pleasing sound.
- Ishaan
Origin:
HindiMeaning:
"the sun"Description:
Ishaan is the guardian of the Northeast in the Hindu religion.
- Pan
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"all or shepherd"Description:
Pan is the Greek god with the legs of a goat and the body of a pipes-playing man known for his mischievousness. Pan is also the god of shepherds, pastures, and fertility. Pan is also a Hindi name meaning leaf or feather.
- Sahil
Origin:
HindiMeaning:
"guide, leader"Description:
A name that could set an Indian boy on a path to leadership.
- Navin
Origin:
HindiMeaning:
"new, novel"Description:
Would fit right in with the currently popular in/an/en/on-ending boys' names.
- Balin
Origin:
HindiMeaning:
"mighty sword"Description:
Unusual Asian option, and also the name of the Dwarf Lord from Lord of the Rings.
- Vikram
Origin:
HindiMeaning:
"valorous"Description:
Another traditional Indian name, best known here via novelist Vikram Seth.
- Vivaan
Origin:
HindiMeaning:
"full of life"Description:
Vivaan is a life-related name from India that has made its way onto the US Top 1000 for the first time in 2014. While unusual, it has a familiar and appealing lively sound and feel. However, be aware that people unfamiliar with the name may misread and mispronounce it as Vivian.
- Dhani
Origin:
HindiMeaning:
"rich"Description:
Dhani is a haunting Hindi name for boys that's a million miles away from the similar-sounding Danny or Donny. One notable namesake is musician Dhani Harrison, look-alike son of Beatle George. He is named after the sixth and seventh notes of the Indian music scale, 'dha' and 'ni'. 'Dhani' is also a raga in north Indian classical music. Another noted bearer is longtime NFL linebacker Dhani Jones.
- Aakil
Origin:
HindiMeaning:
"intelligent, smart"Description:
If meaning were destiny, this would start a boy off on the right foot.
- Neel
Origin:
HindiMeaning:
"sapphire blue"Description:
If you want people to appreciate this choice, you're going to have to explain how it's not Neil.
- Vishnu
Origin:
HindiMeaning:
"protector"Description:
Name of one of the three main Hindu gods.
- Varan
Origin:
HindiMeaning:
"water god"Description:
Unusual and simple: a winning combination. But it was the name of a fifteen-thousand-ton monster in a midcentury "Godzilla" movie.
- Kamal
Origin:
Hindi; ArabicMeaning:
"lotus; perfect, perfection"Description:
Kamal carries two positive associations: one of the ninety-nine qualities of Allah listed in the Quran and the evocative lotus flower. Americans might recognize it as the male equivalent of Kamala, as in Vice President Kamala Harris.