Discover and Shortlist Your Perfect Baby Names!
Hindu names are deeply influenced by ancient scriptures, mythology, and spiritual beliefs. Names like Krishna (dark, lord) and Anjali (offering) reflect virtues, deities, or life’s blessings. These names celebrate India’s rich religious and cultural heritage, connecting individuals to their faith and traditions.
| Name | Meaning | Origins | Gender | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Madhushri | Madhushri means "sweetness" and symbolizes beauty, prosperity, and purity. | Hindu | Girl | |
| Madhusoodan | Madhusoodan means "destroyer of sweetness," associated with Lord Krishna. | Hindu | Boy | |
| Madhusoodhana | Madhusoodhana means "destroyer of the demon Madhu" in Hinduism. | Hindu | Boy | |
| Madhusudam | Madhusudam means "destroyer of demon Madhu," significant in Hindu culture. | Hindu | Boy | |
| Madhusudanan | Madhusudanan: Unique Hindu name meaning "destroyer of demon Madhu." | Hindu | Boy | |
| Madhusudhan | Madhusudhan means "destroyer of demon Madhu," significant in Hindu culture. | Hindu | Boy | |
| Madhusudhanan | Madhusudhanan: Hindu name meaning "destroyer of demon Madhu," traditionally male. | Hindu | Boy | |
| Maha Devi | Maha Devi means "great goddess," symbolizing divine feminine energy and power. | Hindu | Girl | |
| Maha Gauri | Maha Gauri symbolizes purity and grace in Hindu mythology and culture. | Hindu | Girl | |
| Maha Gowri | Maha Gowri symbolizes purity, power, and serenity in Hindu culture. | Hindu | Girl | |
| Maha Lakshmi | Maha Lakshmi symbolizes wealth, prosperity, and divine feminine energy in Hinduism. | Hindu | Girl | |
| Mahadewi | Mahadewi symbolizes a divine goddess, cherished in Hindu culture. | Hindu | Girl | |
| Mahaganapati | Mahaganapati signifies Lord Ganesha, symbolizing wisdom and obstacle removal. | Hindu | Boy | |
| Mahagauri | Mahagauri symbolizes purity, beauty, and devotion in Hindu mythology. | Hindu | Girl | |
| Mahakal | Mahakal means "great destroyer," reflecting Lord Shiva's powerful essence. | Hindu | Boy | |
| Mahakala | Mahakala signifies "Great Time," representing power in Hinduism and Buddhism. | Hindu | Unisex | |
| Mahalakshmi Devi | Mahalakshmi Devi symbolizes wealth, prosperity, and blessings in Hindu culture. | Hindu | Girl | |
| Mahalaxmi | Mahalaxmi signifies wealth, prosperity, and divine blessings in Hinduism. | Hindu | Girl | |
| Mahamai | Mahamai: Hindu name meaning "great mother," symbolizing strength and femininity. | Hindu | Girl | |
| Mahamaya | Mahamaya means "great illusion," associated with Hindu goddess and Buddha's mother. | Hindu | Girl | |
| Mahamayi | Mahamayi signifies divine feminine energy, power, and great illusion. | Hindu | Girl | |
| Mahasweta | Mahasweta means "great white" or "great purity" in Sanskrit. | Hindu, Sanskrit | Unisex | |
| Mahendra | Mahendra means "great lord," symbolizing leadership and strength in Hinduism. | Hindu | Boy | |
| Mahes | Mahes: Hindu name meaning "great lord," symbolizing strength and authority. | Hindu | Boy | |
| Maheshwara | Maheshwara means "Great Lord," associated with Lord Shiva's divinity. | Hindu | Boy | |
| Maheshwary | Maheshwary: Unique Hindu name meaning "goddess Durga," symbolizing strength. | Hindu | Girl | |
| Maheswary | Maheswary is a meaningful Hindu name honoring goddess Maheshwari. | Hindu | Girl | |
| Mahimya | Mahimya: A unique Hindu name meaning "glory" or "greatness." | Hindu | Girl | |
| Mahish | Mahish means "buffalo," symbolizing strength and power in Hindu culture. | Hindu | Boy | |
| Mahishwar | Mahishwar: Hindu name meaning "lord of buffalo," symbolizing strength and leadership. | Hindu | Boy |
The name 'Hindu' originates from the Sanskrit word Sindhu, which was the historical local appellation for the Indus River. The Persian invaders converted it into Hindu to denote the land of the Indus River. Over time, the term 'Hindu' became associated with the religious practices of people living beyond the Indus River.
The term 'Hindu' was used to describe the various religious traditions and practices found in the Indian subcontinent. It was not originally a religious term but was adopted over time by outsiders to refer to the diverse spiritual practices in the region. Eventually, 'Hinduism' became the term used to describe the religious framework that encompasses these practices.
Historically, 'Hindu' was a geographical term that referred to the people living beyond the Indus River. It was only later that the term took on a religious connotation. Today, it is primarily used to refer to followers of Hinduism, the world's third-largest religion.
The term 'Hindu' was first used during the time of the ancient Persians who encountered the civilizations of the Indus Valley. The Persians mentioned the people of the Sindhu (Indus) River in their records from the 6th century BCE. The Greeks, who came into contact with India after Alexander the Great, also used a similar term, 'Indoi'.
In Sanskrit, the term 'Hindu' does not have a religious meaning but is a geographical term derived from the river Sindhu, or Indus. The ancient Sanskrit texts refer to the people around the Sindhu River as Sindhus. The term 'Hindu' itself is not found in any of the original Vedic scriptures.
'Hindu' refers to a follower of Hinduism, while 'Indian' denotes a nationality or a person hailing from India. Although the terms were historically related due to geographical reasons, they have distinct meanings today. 'Indian' encompasses a broader identity that includes people of various religions, cultures, and ethnicities.
No, the term 'Hindu' specifically refers to followers of Hinduism and does not encompass all Indian religions. India is home to a multitude of religious traditions, including Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism, and others that are distinct from Hinduism. While these religions originated in the Indian subcontinent, they have their own unique beliefs and practices.
Colonialism played a significant role in solidifying the term 'Hindu' as a religious identity. British colonialists used the term to categorize and govern the diverse religious practices in India under a single label. This administrative convenience led to a more rigid understanding of Hinduism as a distinct religion.
The term 'Hindu' is not mentioned in ancient Hindu scriptures. The Vedas, Upanishads, and other Hindu texts use various other terms to describe the people and the spiritual practices of the time. The use of 'Hindu' as a religious term developed much later through interactions with other cultures and under colonial rule.
In modern times, the term 'Hindu' has cultural as well as religious significance, representing a way of life and a civilizational identity for many people. It encompasses a wide range of beliefs, practices, and rituals that are part of the daily lives of millions of people. The term also signifies the collective heritage and traditions of those who identify as Hindu.
