44 names โ a mix of Indian, international, modern, and classic picks. Each entry includes origin, meaning, and a short description to help you decide.
Arjun is one of the most beloved names in Indian culture, carried by the legendary hero of the Mahabharata. It has a strong, open sound that feels natural across languages. Many families choose it because it's deeply rooted yet perfectly comfortable in a modern world.
Anika is light on the tongue and easy to pronounce in almost any language, which has helped it spread well beyond South Asia. It carries a quiet elegance without feeling formal or heavy. A lovely choice if you want something rooted in tradition that still feels fresh.
Rohan paints a picture of something moving upward โ not in an ambitious or aggressive way, but naturally, the way a plant finds the light. It's been a favourite in Indian families for generations and has found a comfortable home in Western countries too. Strong without being stern.
For parents who love literature or the arts, Kavya carries a deeply meaningful heritage. In ancient Sanskrit, it referred to works of poetry and creative expression. Today it's a popular name in South India, and its meaning gives it a beautiful, creative spirit.
Vivaan has been one of the fastest-rising names in India over the last decade, and it's not hard to see why. The meaning is warm and radiant, and the name itself has an upbeat, energetic rhythm. It feels modern but carries the depth of its Sanskrit roots.
Ananya literally means "without equal" โ a bold, beautiful thought to carry into a name. It's been widely used across India for many years and has a lyrical quality that sounds lovely in both formal and informal settings. A name that quietly makes a statement.
Aarav has been among the top baby boy names in India for several years running. There's something reassuring about it โ the meaning speaks of calm, and the sound of it matches. It's easy to spell, easy to say, and carries a sense of quiet confidence.
In Vedic tradition, Ishaan refers to the northeast direction, which is considered auspicious. It's also an epithet for Lord Shiva. The name has a bright, open sound and feels meaningful without being difficult for those outside the culture to learn.
Diya is one of those names that immediately evokes warmth and softness. In India, the diya (clay lamp) is a symbol of hope and celebration โ lit during festivals to welcome goodness into a home. Short, sweet, and genuinely meaningful.
Meera is associated with Mirabai, the 16th-century poet-saint whose devotional songs are still sung today across India. The name has a timeless quality โ it's been in use for centuries yet never feels dated. It carries a sense of quiet devotion and grace.
Ethan has been a top-ten name in many English-speaking countries for over two decades, and for good reason. It's solid, easy to pronounce, and ages well โ just as at home on a child's lunchbox as on a professional email. The Hebrew meaning adds quiet depth.
Few names carry as much history as Sophia. From ancient Greek philosophy to Byzantine empresses to countless modern bearers, it has never really gone out of fashion. Its meaning โ wisdom โ gives it a weight that feels just right without being overbearing.
Liam has been the most popular boy's name in the United States for several years. It started as a short form of William but has fully come into its own. It's punchy, warm, and familiar without feeling tired โ a name that works in any room.
The olive tree has been a symbol of peace, prosperity, and resilience across Mediterranean cultures for thousands of years. Olivia carries all of that gently. It's one of the most popular girl names globally right now, yet it still manages to feel personal and lovely.
Noah has crossed cultural boundaries in a way few names manage. Recognised in the biblical tradition and equally comfortable in secular families, it has a simplicity that feels deliberate. One syllable, clear meaning, and a sound that's instantly warm.
Emma has been one of the most consistently popular names in the English-speaking world for the past two decades. It's classic in the best possible way โ unpretentious, warm, and easy to carry from childhood into adulthood. The meaning "whole" gives it a quiet completeness.
Lucas is the Latin form of Luke, but it has a fuller, slightly softer sound that many parents prefer. The meaning โ light โ is universally appealing, and the name works across different cultures without sounding out of place. A steady, confident choice.
Zara has a crispness that makes it feel both modern and timeless. With Arabic roots suggesting a flower in bloom, and a sound that travels easily across languages, it's found admirers in families across the globe. Brief, bright, and genuinely beautiful.
Sebastian is one of those names that sounds a little grand but wears it naturally. It has roots in early Christian history and has been used across Europe for centuries. The nickname Seb makes it easy to live with day-to-day while the full name retains its stature.
Aurora is the Roman goddess of dawn โ the one who brings the day. As a name, it has a celestial, poetic feel without being difficult to use practically. It's been rising in popularity across many countries and carries a real sense of beauty and new beginnings.
Aria has musical roots โ in Italian, it refers to a type of song in an opera. But it also has Persian origins meaning noble or lioness. The combination of musical beauty and strength in its meaning makes Aria a genuinely layered choice despite its short, simple form.
Kai is one of those rare names that sits comfortably across genders and cultures. In Hawaiian tradition it means sea; in Scandinavian roots it connects to earth. Brief and breezy, it has become a favourite for parents who want something short but meaningful.
Milo has a cheerful, energetic sound that suits children wonderfully while aging gracefully into adulthood. It has roots in medieval Germanic tradition and has been revived with real enthusiasm in recent years. Friendly, strong, and just a little bit playful.
Luna has skyrocketed in popularity in recent years, and the appeal is clear. The moon is a universal symbol โ of cycles, of beauty, of the quiet pull that governs tides and time. As a name, Luna feels both mystical and entirely wearable.
Felix is one of the happiest names you can give a child โ literally. Used in ancient Rome and common across Europe for centuries, it's been rediscovered by modern parents who appreciate its warmth. It carries a natural optimism in its very meaning.
Isla is quietly beautiful โ short, flowing, and evocative of open water and solitude. It took off in popularity after several notable public figures chose it for their daughters. Pronounced "eye-la," it has a soft, unhurried sound that suits a gentle personality wonderfully.
Theo works perfectly on its own โ it doesn't need to be short for Theodore, though it often is. It has a warm, bookish feel and is popular in many European countries as well as in English-speaking families. Relaxed and confident without trying too hard.
Nora is the kind of name that feels immediately familiar and warm. It has Irish origins as a form of Honora and is also connected to Eleanor. Simple and confident, it's been steadily climbing the popularity charts. Nora ages beautifully from toddler to adult.
Advait is a name rooted in Hindu philosophy โ specifically the Advaita Vedanta school of thought, which sees no separation between the individual and the universe. It's a profound choice that doesn't announce itself loudly but carries real depth for those who know.
Saanvi has become one of the most popular girl names in South India over the last decade. It has a gentle, melodic quality and is associated with Goddess Lakshmi, who represents prosperity and grace. A meaningful name that parents and children both tend to love.
Yuvan has a lively energy baked right into its meaning. Popular in Tamil Nadu and increasingly across India, it was also the name of a notable film composer, which added to its modern appeal. The name feels youthful and spirited without being immature.
Few names carry as much warmth as Priya. In Sanskrit, the word simply means "beloved" โ and that's exactly what a name like this communicates. It has been in constant use across India for generations and remains completely fresh because of how genuinely it reads.
Vikram is connected to Vikramaditya, one of the great legendary kings of ancient India. The name carries an association with leadership, courage, and wisdom. It has a strong, rhythmic sound that works well across many Indian languages and is still widely used today.
Tanvi is a poetic name with a gentle, almost airy quality to it. In Sanskrit it describes someone with a delicate, graceful form. It's been a steady favourite in Maharashtra and Gujarat and has a certain understated elegance that appeals to many families.
Reyansh is a relatively newer name that's been gaining momentum rapidly in India. The meaning โ a ray of sunlight โ is beautifully positive. It carries warmth in both its sound and its sense, and many parents are drawn to it as a name that feels contemporary but has genuine roots.
Navya combines two lovely qualities โ newness and worthiness. It feels like a name for someone who will bring fresh energy into the world. Popular in South India and increasingly across the country, Navya has a lightness to it that parents consistently find appealing.
Kiran is one of those rare Indian names that crosses the gender divide comfortably, used for both boys and girls across different regions. Its meaning โ a ray of light โ is universal and hopeful. Simple to pronounce in almost any language, it travels beautifully.
Parth is one of the many names given to Arjuna in the Mahabharata โ specifically meaning "son of Pritha (Kunti)." It's a short, grounded name with an earthy feel. Popular in western India, particularly Gujarat and Rajasthan, it has a simplicity that holds a lot of meaning quietly.
Shriya is connected to Shri โ one of the fundamental concepts in Hinduism representing beauty, prosperity, and grace. As a name it has a flowing, musical quality. It's widely used across India and carries an association with everything good and auspicious.
Caleb is a biblical name with a long track record of staying power. It was common in early American Puritan communities and has made a strong comeback in recent decades. The meaning โ whole-hearted โ paints a picture of loyalty and sincerity that many parents find moving.
Amara has roots in multiple traditions โ in West Africa it means grace, while in Latin it connects to eternal or immortal. The combination gives it an unusual depth. It's risen sharply in popularity in recent years and has a strong, melodic quality that carries well.
Jasper has a warm, earthy quality โ it's also the name of a deep red gemstone associated with grounding and protection. Popular in Australia and Northern Europe for some time, it's been catching on in the UK and US as well. A name with texture and quiet confidence.
Elara is the name of one of Jupiter's moons, which gives it a cosmic, otherworldly quality. In Greek mythology, Elara was also a mortal woman. For parents drawn to celestial names without wanting something too well-known, Elara strikes a beautiful balance.
Ivan is the Eastern European form of John โ a name with one of the longest histories in Western naming tradition. It's been used by tsars and saints alike. Despite its grand heritage, Ivan feels approachable and unpretentious. Strong, clean, and cross-cultural.
Try narrowing things down by what matters most to you. Do you love how a name sounds? Start with the filter for the gender and read the descriptions aloud. Are you drawn to meaning? Look for names where the origin and meaning column lines up with something that matters to your family โ a value, a place, a story.
Read our naming tips →