10 baby boy names that mean ‘sun’

Surya — the Sun in Hindu thought

The Sun occupies a central place in Hindu thought: a visible deity, a cosmic light, and a daily reminder of dharma — ethical duty — and the cycle of time. Vedic hymns invoke the solar gods (the Adityas) and specific forms such as Savitr and Vivasvan. Sun-related names are popular across India because they carry clear, positive meanings and long literary pedigrees. Below are ten boy names that mean “sun” or are closely associated with the solar principle, with short notes on origin, pronunciation, scriptural ties and regional usage.

Choosing a solar name — practical notes

• Meaning and root: In Sanskrit-derived names, the root explains the nuance: some names mean “sun” directly, others mean “light,” “day-maker” or “part of the sun.”
• Cultural and sect contexts: The same solar name may be used by Vaishnava, Shaiva, Smarta and other families without sectarian connotations; scriptural references vary across Vedic and Puranic literature.
• Naming ceremony and astrology: Traditional families may consult nakshatra (lunar mansion) or do the namkaran (naming) on customary days (often the 11th or 12th day), but practices differ by community.
• Pronunciation and variants: Regional spellings and short forms are common (e.g., Bhaskar/Bhasker, Suryansh/Suryanshu).

Ten boy names that mean “sun”

1. Surya (pronounced: SUR-yah)

• Gloss: Surya — the principal sun deity in Hinduism.
• Meaning: Sun; light; the visible solar god.
• Notes: Widely used across India. Surya appears in Vedic hymns and in later Puranic temple traditions (for example, Konark’s solar iconography). Common nicknames: Suri, Sur.

2. Aditya (a-DIT-ya)

• Gloss: Aditya — lit. “child of Aditi,” used for solar gods.
• Meaning: Sun; one of the Adityas (the group of solar deities).
• Notes: In Puranic lists the Adityas are a group of radiating powers; as a personal name it evokes sovereign brightness. Variants: Adithya (South Indian spelling).

3. Ravi (RA-vee)

• Gloss: Ravi — a common Vedic and modern name for the sun.
• Meaning: Sun, sunlight.
• Notes: Short, popular and pan-Indian. Used as a given name and in compounds (e.g., Ravindra). Nicknames: Rav, Ravu.

4. Bhaskara / Bhaskar (bha-SKA-ra / bha-SKAR)

• Gloss: Bhaskara — “maker of light.”
• Meaning: Radiant one; sun; light-giver.
• Notes: Classical Sanskrit name appearing in poetry and philosophical texts. Bhaskara is also the name of historical scholars (e.g., Bhaskara II) and is widely used in many regions.

5. Vivasvan / Vivasvat (vi-VAHS-van)

• Gloss: Vivasvan — the solar being in Vedic and Puranic accounts.
• Meaning: Sun-god; the luminous one; father of Manu in some Puranic genealogies.
• Notes: Vivasvan carries a formal, classical ring. Variants include Vivasvat; used in ritual and mythic contexts.

6. Savitr / Savitri (male: Savitr) (SA-vit-ru)

• Gloss: Savitr — a Vedic solar deity linked to inspiration and the Gayatri stanza.
• Meaning: Sun, inspirer; often invoked in the Gayatri mantra as the solar force that awakens intelligence.
• Notes: As a male name, Savitr feels Vedic and liturgical. The association with the Gayatri tradition is significant for many families.

7. Arka (AR-ka)

• Gloss: Arka — a name appearing in Vedic and Puranic sources.
• Meaning: Sun; also the name of certain medicinal plants in classical literature.
• Notes: Short and classical; used in southern and western India. Arka features in devotional poetry as a solar epithet.

8. Dinakar (DI-na-kar)

• Gloss: Dinakar — literally “maker of the day.”
• Meaning: Sun; one who brings the day.
• Notes: Compound Sanskrit name common in many Indian languages. Nicknames: Dina, Kar.

9. Martanda (mar-TAN-da)

• Gloss: Martanda — one of the Adityas in Vedic lists.
• Meaning: A named form of the sun; in some myths one of the solar children born of Aditi.
• Notes: Martanda has a strong Vedic identity and is familiar from classical commentaries and Puranic genealogies.

10. Suryansh (SU-ryan-sh)

• Gloss: Suryansh — “a part of the sun” (ansh = part).
• Meaning: Sun’s portion; implies belonging to or born of the sun.
• Notes: Modern-sounding and popular with contemporary parents; variants include Suryanshu.

Final considerations

When selecting a name, balance sound, family tradition and the meaning you want to carry forward. Many of the names above have ancient Vedic or Puranic pedigrees, but their everyday use today is broad and not confined to any single sect. If your family follows astrological naming customs, consult a trusted elder or practitioner; otherwise, choose a name whose meaning and sound resonate with you. Naming is both a personal and a cultural act: it anchors a child to language, story and light.