There’s something surprisingly personal about choosing a baby name.
Not just because it’s your child’s name (though obviously, yes), but because names tend to carry so much more than sound.
A name can hold meaning, identity, memory, even hope. And when it comes to Hindu baby boy names, there’s an entire world of tradition, spirituality, and history wrapped into just a few syllables.
Some parents start with a short list of favorites even before the baby arrives. Others don’t settle until they hold their son for the first time.
Either way, it’s not easy. Especially with all the pressure to find something that sounds right, feels right, and still holds cultural weight.
So… where do you even begin?
The Layers Behind a Name
Naming in Hindu culture isn’t just about liking how something sounds. There’s often a deep intention behind it. A name might reflect qualities you wish for your child, strength, wisdom, courage, or it might honor deities, nature, virtues, even moments of birth.
Sometimes, names are chosen based on the nakshatra (birth star), rashi (zodiac sign), or specific letters considered lucky depending on the time of birth.
Other times? It’s just because the name sounds beautiful.
And honestly, both reasons are valid.
Take names like Arjun or Krishna, two names rooted in epic mythology, known across generations. They’ve been used for centuries, but somehow still feel relevant today. Or look at Vivaan, a more modern favorite that’s risen quickly in popularity, yet still carries traditional charm (it loosely means “full of life”).
150 Hindu Baby Boy Names
Hindu Baby Boy Names (A–D)
- Aarav – Peaceful
- Aayansh – Part of parents; gift of God
- Abhinav – Innovative, modern
- Aditya – Sun God
- Agastya – Name of a sage
- Akarsh – Attractive
- Anay – Without a superior
- Anirudh – Boundless, Lord Krishna
- Arjun – Bright, shining, hero of Mahabharata
- Arush – First ray of the sun
- Atharv – Vedic text, Lord Ganesha
- Ayaan – Gift of God
- Ayush – Long life
- Agnivesh – Bright as fire
- Aniket – Lord Shiva; one who makes the world his home
- Ansh – Portion, divine part
- Aryan – Noble
- Avyukt – Crystal clear, Lord Krishna
- Ashwin – Light, horse tamer, a star
- Aadhav – Ruler; Lord Vishnu
Hindu Baby Boy Names (E–H)
- Eshan – Lord Shiva
- Ekansh – Whole, complete
- Eklavya – Student of Dronacharya
- Eshaan – Lord Shiva; Desiring and wishing
- Gaurav – Honor, pride
- Girish – Lord of the mountains (Shiva)
- Gopal – Lord Krishna
- Govind – Cow protector, Lord Krishna
- Harsh – Joy, happiness
- Harshit – Full of happiness
- Himanshu – Moon
- Harshavardhan – One who increases joy
- Hriday – Heart
- Harshil – Joyful
- Hridhaan – Great heart
- Hariom – Combination of Lord Vishnu and Om
- Hitesh – Well-wisher
- Hiranmay – Golden
- Harendra – Lord Shiva
- Hemant – Early winter
Hindu Baby Boy Names (I–L)
- Ishan – Lord Shiva
- Indra – King of Gods
- Iraivan – Lord, divine
- Ivaan – Glorious, gracious gift from God
- Ishaanth – Lord Shiva
- Jay – Victory
- Jayant – Victorious
- Jatin – Lord Shiva
- Jaiwant – Victorious
- Jagat – The world
- Janmesh – King of his clan
- Jivansh – Part of soul
- Jinesh – Lord Vishnu
- Karthik – Lord Murugan
- Kavin – Handsome, intelligent
- Krishna – Lord Krishna
- Kunal – Lotus
- Kaivalya – Perfect isolation; salvation
- Kashyap – Name of a sage
- Keshav – Lord Krishna
Hindu Baby Boy Names (M–P)
- Manav – Man, human
- Madhav – Lord Krishna
- Mayank – Moon
- Mohit – Enchanted
- Moksh – Salvation
- Mahesh – Lord Shiva
- Mitansh – Friendly part
- Naksh – Feature, map of stars
- Naman – Salutation, respect
- Nikhil – Complete, whole
- Nilesh – Lord Krishna or Shiva
- Nirav – Quiet, calm
- Neel – Blue, sapphire
- Nivaan – Holy, sacred
- Om – Sacred syllable
- Omkar – Sound of Om
- Onir – Shining
- Ojas – Strength, energy
- Padmanabh – Lord Vishnu
- Parth – King; Arjun
Hindu Baby Boy Names (Q–T)
- Pranav – Sacred syllable Om
- Pranay – Love
- Parikshit – Tested one
- Pratyush – Sunrise
- Puneet – Pure
- Raghav – Descendant of Raghu; Lord Rama
- Rajat – Silver
- Rajveer – The warrior king
- Rishabh – Morality, musical note
- Rudra – Fierce form of Shiva
- Ritesh – Lord of truth
- Ritvik – Priest
- Rohit – Red, a son of King Harishchandra
- Rihan – Destroyer of enemies
- Samar – War, battle
- Shaurya – Bravery
- Siddharth – One who has attained his goals
- Saurav – Fragrance
- Saanvi – Knowledge
- Shivansh – Part of Lord Shiva
- Tanmay – Absorbed, focused
- Tejas – Radiant energy
- Tanish – Ambition
- Tarak – Star; protector
- Tarun – Young man
- Trilok – Three worlds
- Tushar – Snow, frost
- Taksha – King Takshak
Hindu Baby Boy Names (U–Z)
- Uday – Rise, to ascend
- Utkarsh – Prosperity
- Utsav – Festival, celebration
- Ujjwal – Bright
- Umesh – Lord Shiva
- Ved – Sacred knowledge
- Vedant – Ultimate knowledge
- Veer – Brave
- Vivaan – Full of life
- Vihan – Morning, dawn
- Vikram – Valor, bravery
- Varun – God of water
- Vishal – Huge, great
- Vatsal – Affectionate
- Vinay – Modesty
- Yash – Fame, success
- Yuvan – Youthful
- Yug – Era
- Yatin – Ascetic
- Yugant – End of an era
- Yogesh – Lord of Yoga
- Yugesh – Master of the era
- Zayan – Bright, graceful
- Zeeshan – Strength, dignity
- Zoravar – Brave, powerful
- Zev – Deer or wolf (used in modern names)
- Zayyan – Graceful, adornment
- Zayit – Olive (symbol of peace)
- Zihan – Bright, brilliant
- Zidhesh – Lord of stubbornness
- Zankar – Sound, music
- Zian – Self-peace
- Zaviyar – Brave and strong
- Zohar – Light, brilliance
- Zuvan – Strong soul
- Zamit – Graceful, humble
- Zivansh – Radiant part
- Zunair – Radiant
- Zedaan – Growth and progress
- Zeshan – Respectful
- Zaiden – Growth
- Zeesh – Strong personality
A Clash of Generations?
Now, here’s something a lot of modern parents wrestle with: do you go with something timeless, or something more unique?
Your parents (or in-laws) might suggest something like Raghav, Suresh, or Mohan, names with unmistakable cultural grounding. They might even bring out the panchang and ask for a priest’s input. And honestly, if that’s important to your family, there’s something grounding in that process.
But maybe you’re leaning toward names that are easier to pronounce globally, or have a modern twist. Think Reyansh, Aarav, or Ishaan, names that still have Sanskrit roots but sound a little fresher, more contemporary.
There isn’t really a right or wrong here.
Just… trade-offs.
Old names tend to carry weight. New names feel breezy, often more versatile. Some parents try to find a balance, choosing names that are rooted but adaptable.
Others, let’s be honest, just go with what sounds cute.
Shortlist Woes: Too Many Good Names?
At first, it feels like there aren’t enough names. But then suddenly there are too many. You find a list online, maybe even this one, and now there are 70 names open in your tabs and you’re thinking: How do I even pick one?
There’s Ayaan (meaning “gift of God”), Devansh (“part of God”), Shaurya (“valor”)… and on and on.
You get attached to one for a while, then hear your cousin’s neighbor named their kid the same thing and suddenly it’s ruined.
Sound familiar?
Some names fall off because they remind you of someone. Some feel like they belong to another time. Some just don’t click after a few days. And some? They grow on you slowly, then refuse to leave.
It’s okay to take your time.
A Few Thought-Starters
Instead of a mega-list, here’s something softer: just a handful of names, each with a little context. Not a top 100. Just a few worth thinking about.
- Aarav – Peaceful, calm. It’s clean-sounding and has stayed trendy for over a decade. Some say it feels a bit overused now, but others think it’s timeless.
- Ishaan – A direction, and also a name of Lord Shiva. Rolls off the tongue nicely, and it’s easy for people from different cultures to pronounce.
- Omkar – The sound of the universe. This one’s deeply spiritual and rich with meaning. Slightly more traditional, but honestly, that’s its charm.
- Advait – Non-duality, the idea of oneness. Philosophical, but still simple.
- Rudra – Another name of Shiva, associated with power and transformation. Feels bold. Maybe even intense, but in a good way.
- Vivaan – Full of life. It has that modern “double vowel” look parents often gravitate toward now.
- Neel – Short, sharp, and sweet. Also tied to Lord Shiva and the color blue. Understated but strong.
- Arush – First ray of the sun. A poetic name that’s quietly beautiful.
You don’t have to choose from these. Maybe none of them speak to you. But sometimes hearing a few with context helps stir up your own thoughts, what you like, what you don’t, and what “feels” right.
Don’t Overthink It (But You Probably Will)
At some point, naming starts to feel like a test. Will the name grow with him? Will it suit him when he’s five… or fifty? Will people spell it wrong forever? Will it be unique enough but not weird?
The truth is, we all overthink it.
You could stress about finding a name that checks every box. Or you could just find the one that gives you that weird little smile when you say it out loud.
Ask yourself:
- Can you imagine calling him that name every day?
- Does it sound natural when you whisper it?
- Would you feel proud saying it to someone else?
If the answers are mostly yes, even if it’s not perfect, you might’ve already found it.
What About Middle Names?
In Hindu culture, middle names aren’t always common, but they’re becoming more popular. Some families use the father’s name, others include the grandfather’s. A few use gotra or ancestral identifiers. And some… just add something they love.
A spiritual name, a modern name, a meaningful word, whatever it is, it’s another chance to add depth.
So if you’re torn between two favorites, maybe use both.
Real Talk: There Will Be Opinions
Let’s be honest. Once you share the name, people will have things to say.
“Oh, that’s unusual.”
“Why didn’t you go with something more traditional?”
“My cousin’s dog is named that.”
…Thanks, Auntie.
But that’s okay. They’ll get used to it. Eventually, they’ll only associate that name with your little boy.
And when he starts walking, talking, becoming his own person, that name will feel like it always belonged to him.
Final Thought
You’re not just picking a name. You’re giving your son something he’ll carry through every stage of life. And even though it feels like a lot of pressure, it’s also kind of magical.
One word. So much identity.
So take your time. Talk it over. Say it out loud, a few dozen times if you need to. Write it down. Picture it on a school notebook… then on a resume. Trust yourself.
Because when it clicks, you’ll know.
Not logically. Not from a spreadsheet or a list.
But somewhere deeper.
You’ll just… know.
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