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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mahishwara | Mahishwara: Unique name from Hindu mythology, meaning "great lord." | Hindu | Boy | |
| Maiah | Maiah: a modern, meaningful name with diverse cultural origins. | Greek, Hebrew, Hindu | Girl | |
| Maitraya | Maitraya: a unique Hindu name meaning "friendly" or "compassionate." | Hindu | Boy | |
| Makrand | Makrand means "honey," symbolizes purity, sweetness, and knowledge in Hinduism. | Hindu, Sanskrit | Unisex | |
| Malashree | Malashree means "garland of prosperity," rooted in Sanskrit culture. | Hindu | Girl | |
| Mallika | Mallika means "queen" or "jasmine flower," symbolizing beauty and grace. | Hindu | Girl | |
| Manav | Manav: Sanskrit name meaning "human being," symbolizing humanity's values. | Hindu | Unisex | |
| Maneesha | Maneesha: A unisex Hindu name meaning intellect, wisdom, and knowledge. | Hindu, Sanskrit | Unisex | |
| Mangesh | Mangesh means "lord of auspiciousness," linked to Hindu mythology. | Hindu, Sanskrit | Boy | |
| Mangla | Mangla means "auspicious" in Hinduism, symbolizing good fortune and prosperity. | Hindu | Girl | |
| Manibhushan | Manibhushan means "jewel ornament," symbolizing wealth and prosperity. | Hindu | Boy | |
| Manik | Manik: Unisex Sanskrit name meaning "gem," symbolizing value and prosperity. | Hindu | Unisex | |
| Manikanta | Manikanta: Hindu name meaning "jewel-like," popular in India, Nepal. | Hindu | Boy | |
| Manindra | Manindra means "lord of the mind," symbolizing intelligence and leadership. | Hindu | Boy | |
| Manishankar | Manishankar means "jewel of Shiva," symbolizing wealth and auspiciousness. | Hindu | Boy | |
| Manjari | Manjari means "cluster of flowers," symbolizing beauty and purity. | Hindu, Sanskrit | Girl | |
| Manmatha | Manmatha means "God of Love," symbolizing desire and romance. | Hindu, Indian | Unisex | |
| Manmathan | Manmathan means "churner of hearts," linked to Hindu love god. | Hindu | Boy | |
| Manoj | Manoj: Popular Indian name meaning "born of the mind," unisex. | Hindu | Unisex | |
| Mansukh | Mansukh means "pleasure of the mind," rooted in Hindu tradition. | Gujarati, Hindu, Sanskrit | Boy | |
| Markandeya Maharishi | Markandeya Maharishi symbolizes wisdom, resilience, and eternal significance in Hinduism. | Hindu | Boy | |
| Markandeya Muni | Markandeya Muni symbolizes wisdom, strength, and spiritual enlightenment in Hinduism. | Hindu | Boy | |
| Maulee | Maulee: Unique unisex name meaning "garland of flowers" in Sanskrit. | Hindu | Unisex | |
| Mayah | Mayah: a modern, meaningful name symbolizing dreams and illusions. | Hindu | Unisex | |
| Mayanka | Mayanka: Unique Indian name meaning "adorned with jewels," symbolizes beauty. | Hindu | Girl | |
| Medha | Medha means "intelligence" in Sanskrit; it's a popular unisex name. | Hindu, Sanskrit | Unisex | |
| Meera | Meera: Indian name meaning "prosperous," associated with poet Meera Bai. | Hindu, Indian, Sanskrit | Unisex | |
| Meetali | Meetali: Indian name meaning "friend," symbolizing companionship and loyalty. | Hindu | Girl | |
| Meghana | Meghana: Indian name meaning "cloud," symbolizing beauty and prosperity. | Hindu, Indian, Mythology, Sanskrit | Girl | |
| Meghna | Meghna: feminine name meaning "cloud," associated with purity and grace. | Hindu | Girl |
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.
