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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sudharshana | Sudharshana: Hindu name meaning "auspicious vision," unisex, culturally significant. | Hindu | Unisex | |
| Sudhendhra | Sudhendhra: Unique Hindu name meaning "bright moon," associated with males. | Hindu | Boy | |
| Sudhindra | Sudhindra means "moon holder," symbolizing purity, beauty, and leadership. | Hindu | Boy | |
| Sudhir | Sudhir: Brave, virtuous Hindu name with historical and cultural significance. | Hindu, Indian | Boy | |
| Sugrīv | Sugrīv: Hindu name meaning "beautiful neck," linked to mythology. | Hindu | Boy | |
| Sugrīvan | Sugrīvan: Sanskrit name meaning "handsome neck," symbolizing elegance and charm. | Hindu | Boy | |
| Suhas | Suhas means "beautiful smile," is a popular unisex Hindu name. | Hindu | Unisex | |
| Suhrit | Suhrit means "well-wisher," symbolizes friendship, kindness, and support. | Hindu | Unisex | |
| Suhrita | Suhrita means "beloved," is a unique, meaningful Hindu feminine name. | Hindu, Sanskrit | Girl | |
| Sujan | Sujan: Unisex Indian name meaning "good knowledge" or "understanding." | Hindu, Indian, Nepali, Sanskrit | Unisex | |
| Sujaya | Sujaya means "victorious," is unisex, and rooted in Hindu mythology. | Hindu | Unisex | |
| Sujit | Sujit means "good victory," reflecting Hindu values and culture. | Hindu | Unisex | |
| Sukanta | Sukanta means "beautifully shaped," is unisex, and has historical significance. | Hindu | Unisex | |
| Sukesh | Sukesh means "one with beautiful hair" in Hindu tradition. | Hindu | Unisex | |
| Sukeshi | Sukeshi means "one with beautiful hair" in Hindu mythology. | Hindu | Girl | |
| Suketu | Suketu: Hindu name meaning sharp-witted, associated with wisdom and success. | Hindu | Boy | |
| Sukhdev | Sukhdev means "god of happiness," rooted in Sanskrit heritage. | Hindu | Boy | |
| Sukhdeva | Sukhdeva means "divine happiness," symbolizing joy and positive qualities. | Hindu | Boy | |
| Sukrit | Sukrit means "good deed," is a unisex Hindu name. | Hindu | Unisex | |
| Sukriti | Sukriti means "good creation," symbolizing kindness and creativity in Hinduism. | Hindu | Unisex | |
| Sulabha | Sulabha means "easy to obtain," reflecting wisdom and accessibility. | Hindu, Sanskrit | Unisex | |
| Sulakshana | Sulakshana means "beautiful eyes," associated with goddess Lakshmi and prosperity. | Hindu | Girl | |
| Sulekh | Sulekh means "beautiful writing," a unique unisex Hindu name. | Hindu | Unisex | |
| Sumalatha | Sumalatha means "beautiful garland," rooted in Hindu mythology and culture. | Hindu, Sanskrit | Girl | |
| Sumant | Sumant means "wise one with a good heart" in Sanskrit. | Hindu, Indian, Nepali | Boy | |
| Sumanta | Sumanta: Sanskrit name meaning "one with good counsel," unisex, popular. | Hindu, Indian | Unisex | |
| Sumati | Sumati means "wise" in Sanskrit; it's a unisex name. | Hindu | Unisex | |
| Sumedh | Sumedh means "wise" in Hindu culture, symbolizing intelligence and positivity. | Hindu, Sanskrit | Boy | |
| Sumedha | Sumedha: Sanskrit name meaning "wise," unisex, rooted in Hindu culture. | Hindu | Unisex | |
| Sumi | Sumi: Unisex name meaning purity, longevity, and friendship across cultures. | Hindu | Unisex |
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.