India is a bustling place filled with many different cultures, traditions, histories, and languages. The vast differences between Muslims, Hindus, Sikhs, and Christians who live there make for so much diversity when it comes to baby names. Naming a child is one of the most important things a parent does, and Indian parents take that job very seriously. The names they choose for their kids often have meanings that are derived from mythology, history, and even the gods themselves.
Ultimately, this means that the list of baby names to choose from is expansive ā especially for parents looking to find a name for their baby boy that is rich in history but still modern. Even though the task may seem daunting, India has countless options for cool, strong, and modern names for baby boys.
The 40 names on this list are some of our favorites. They have many different origins, different meanings, and even different levels of popularity, but the one thing they do have in common is their appeal to Indian parents and their modernity.
Be sure to check out our list of Indian baby girls’ names as well!
AJAY
Although spelled differently, Ajay bears a strong resemblance to the common American nickname AJ. In Sanskrit, Ajay means “the invincible.” It’s never gained much popularity in the US, which means it has room to grow!
AAMIR
Aamir holds the powerful meaning of “full” and “prosperous.” Historically, the name has also been used to refer to princes and rulers. For any parents looking for a strong, stately name for their little boy, Aamir is perfect.
ARNESH
Arnesh beautifully translates to mean “Lord of the sea” in Sanskrit and is heavily involved in Hindu astrology. The name isn’t popular in the United States yet, but there’s definitely still time for that to happen.
HARI
Similar to the common English name Harry, Hari has Sanskrit origins and is another name for the god Shiva. It translates to mean “the sun,” “moon,” and “light.”
DEEPAK
KIRIN
For anyone looking for a short, artistic name for their baby boy, Kirin is the perfect place to start. It means “praiser” and “poet” in Sanskrit and is very commonly used by Hindu parents.
DEVESH
Like many Hindu names, Devesh is directly related to a deity. It’s actually another name for the god Indra. Devesh translates to “God of Gods” or “king of Gods” in Hindi.
KUNAL
Big Bang Theory actorĀ Kunal Nayyar made Kunal a household name in the US recently, but Indian parents have been using it for centuries. Kunal is the modern version of the name Kunala, which means “lotus” in Sanskrit. It also happened to be the name of the son of a famous Indian emperor in the third century BC.
NAVEEN
This name may be recognizable as the moniker of Prince Naveen from Disney’s Princess and the Frog, butĀ Naveen means “beautiful,” “pleasant,” and “always new” in Hindi. Parents looking for a name that will be instantly recognized in any kindergarten class definitely can’t go wrong with Naveen.
LAL
RAHI
Rahi is actually a unisex name in India, used for both boys and girls. It’s also common among both Muslims and Hindus and translates to mean “traveler” in both cultures. In Hindu astrology, Rahi is another version of the name Rashi, which is another name for Libra.
JAYESH
The name Jayesh is thought of as the longer version of that names Jai and Jay. Like the others, it translates to mean “victory” and is mostly used among Hindu parents who want to go with a more traditional name.
KAMAL
Pronounced ka-MAHL, Kamal is a name common among both Indian Muslims and Hindus. The gorgeous translation of the name means “lotus” and “perfection.”
RAHUL
Rahul has highly debated meanings in India. In Hindi, it translates to “conqueror of all miseries.” In Arabic, it means “traveler,” and among Buddhists, it means “relation.” Whichever meaning suits their little boy best, parents have a wide variety of choices with the name Rahul.
JOVAN
RAJESH
It may be one of the most commonly known Indian names in the Western world, but that doesn’t make Rajesh any less special. Meaning “king” in Sanskrit, it is often used among Hindu and Sikh parents. It hasn’t made any popularity lists in the US, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t a great name.
NEEL
Said similarly to the English name Neil, Neel is an Indian name that is thought of asĀ anĀ alternative to Shiva. It means “champion,” “passionate,” and the color blue, which makes it perfect for a wide range of baby boys.
JAI
Jai, also spelled Jay by many parents in India, carries the Sanskrit meaning of “victorious.” The name is thought to be derived from the word Jaya, which means “victory.”
RAM
Don’t be put off by the fact that ram is another name for a bull in English;Ā Ram is an Indian name that is the slightly shorter version of the traditional Rama. It means “one who pleases” and happens to be the name of a popular hero in Hindu mythology.
OJAS
RAMAN
Raman is a unisex first name that is also commonly used as a last name in India. It translates to mean “pleasing” and “beloved” in Hindi, and even though it isn’t super common, it’s a fantastic name choice for any boy.
RAVI
Another name that is thought of as quintessentially Indian among Americans is Ravi, which comes directly from the Hindu sun god. It also means “benevolent” in Hindi, which makes it very popular with Indian parents.
ZAYN
Recognizable because of the former boy-band One Direction member and musician Zayn Mailk, Zayn is a name common among Indian Muslims. It means “bright” and “beautiful” in Arabic, which makes it perfect for any handsome baby boy.
MILAN
Milan is typically thought of as being Italian, because of the city and the name, but it also has some firm origins in India. Although it isn’t super popular, Milan ā which means “union” ā also made the list as one of the most popular boys’ names in the US in 2014 and was still fairly popular in 2022.
ROHAN
This name may be recognizable because of its striking resemblance to the Irish name Rowan, but Rohan has a history of its own. Rohan means “ascending” in Sanskrit, which explains why it became so popular with parents in the US in the ’90s.
SAHIL
Sahil means “guide” and is commonly used by Hindu and Sikhs in India. Because it translates to “shore” and “beach” in Arabic, Muslim parents are drawn to it as well.
SANJAY
Sanjay is an incredibly common boy name in India. It means “victory” in Sanskrit and comes from the god Shiva. Sanjay is the perfect strong, godly name for a bouncing baby boy.
RUDRA
Like lots of other Indian names, Rudra is drawn from the name of a Hindu god. It’s associated with winds and storms, and a popular translation of the name Rudra is “the roarer,” which makes it incredibly fierce.
KRISHNA
Krishna comes directly from the Hindu deity of the same name who is the god of compassion, tenderness, and love. Even though Krishna translates to mean “dark” and “black” in Sanskrit, many parents are still drawn to it.
SHAAN
SUNNY
It doesn’t really get any better than Sunny. In addition to sounding sweet, bright, and fun, the name means literally translates to mean “sunshine.” The name isn’t popular in the US, but it’s still incredibly lovable.
VITTAL
For any parent looking for a baby name that naturally brings luck, Vittal is a perfect choice. It means “fortune giver” in Sanskrit and comes from the god Vishnu.
ARJUN
Arjun is a Hindu name with Sanskrit origins that means “bright” or “shining.” The two-syllable moniker is definitely popular in India, but it also managed to gain some popularity in the US too, becoming one of the most popular boys’ names in the country in 2014.
BODHI
Pronounced BO-dee, Bodhi is an incredibly popular Indian and Buddhist name that means “awakening” and “enlightenment” in Sanskrit. Naming a baby boy Bodhi is a surefire way to make sure he gets a strong monikerĀ that means something special.
SAMIR
A name with Muslim origins that is used often by Indian moms and dads, Samir means “jovial” and “entertaining companion.” For anyone searching for a light, simple name with a sweet meaning for their little boy, Samir is a great choice. It doesn’t hurt that it became one of the most popular boys’ names in the US in 2009.
AYAAN
The name Ayaan has strong origins among both Muslims and Hindus. In Arabic it means “gift of God,” and in Hindi it translates to mean “good fortune.” In 2011, Ayaan even made its way onto the list of the most popular boy names in the US, cementing its popularity forever.
PREM
Prem means “love” and “affection” in both Arabic and Sanskrit. The name has never been on any popularity lists in the US, but it’s the perfect choice for affectionate parents.
TANAY
Tanay is typically used for Hindu boys and bears the pretty literal meanings of “son” and “of the family.” Tanay is perfect for parents who want a unique name that isn’t very common.
SAI
ASEEM
Aseem simply translates to “unlimited” and “eternity” in Sanskrit. Even though it’s often confused with the Arabic name Asim, the two have no relation. Aseem is a name that is rich in tradition and has an incredible meaning.
