10 Baby Girl Names that embody the Purity of Goddess Sita

Introduction

Sītā is one of the central figures of the Hindu imagination: in the Valmiki Rāmāyaṇa, Tulsīdās’s Rāmcaritmānas and countless regional retellings she stands for steadfastness, moral courage and what many traditions call pavitrata — purity or sanctity. Scholars and devotional communities read Sītā in different ways: some emphasise her conjugal fidelity, others stress her spiritual strength, her identity as Bhūmidevī (Earth goddess) or her role as Lakṣmī in Vaiṣṇava contexts. Below are ten baby girl names that either are epithets of Sītā or draw on meanings associated with her purity and dignity. Each entry gives a brief gloss, an interpretive note and practical points for modern use.

Ten names that echo the purity of Goddess Sītā

• Sītā — furrow; earth-born. Pronunciation: SEE-ta.

  Sītā is the canonical name used in the Rāmāyaṇa; it literally means “furrow” and refers to her emergence from the earth. Using the name directly ties a child to the figure herself and her associations with purity, endurance and rootedness.

• Jānakī — daughter of Janaka. Pronunciation: JAH-nah-kee.

  Common epithet in Sanskrit and later literature. In texts and lore Jānakī highlights Sītā’s royal origin in Mithilā and her upbringing under King Janaka’s householder ideals. The name is widely used across India and signals traditional lineage and virtue.

• Maithilī — woman of Mithilā. Pronunciation: MY-thi-lee.

  Used in Hindi, Bengali and regional languages, Maithilī evokes Sītā’s homeland (Mithilā) and carries local cultural pride. It conveys a grounded, cultural purity rather than asceticism.

• Vaidehī — from Videha. Pronunciation: VAI-day-hee.

  Another classical epithet noting Sītā’s origin in the kingdom of Videha. Vaidehī appears in many poetic and devotional texts and is often chosen to reflect dignity and an ancient regional identity.

• Bhūmi / Bhūmi-devī — earth; earth goddess. Pronunciation: BHOO-mee.

  Sītā is frequently identified as Bhūmi’s daughter or incarnation in the Rāmāyaṇa tradition; Bhūmi connotes purity as belonging to the nourishing, life-giving earth. As a given name, Bhūmi is modern and lyrical.

• Pavitrā / Pavitra — pure, sacred. Pronunciation: puh-VEE-truh / puh-VEE-tra.

  While not a standard epithet in the canonical Ramāyaṇas, this Sanskrit adjective directly references the quality most often associated with Sītā in devotional discourse: moral and ritual purity. It is used as a feminine name across India.

• Śucī / Shuchi — clean, pure. Pronunciation: SHOO-chee.

  Another Sanskrit-derived option that foregrounds inner purity (śuci means cleanliness or sanctity). The term occurs in broader dharma literature to describe virtuous persons and can be chosen for its classical feel.

• Ayonijā — not born of a womb. Pronunciation: ah-yo-NEE-ja.

  Used in some retellings to indicate Sītā’s extraordinary birth (emerging from the earth). Ayonijā is less common as a given name but carries the idea of a miraculous, divine origin and thus a special kind of purity.

• Ananyā — single-minded, devoted. Pronunciation: ah-NUN-yaa.

  Though not an epithet of Sītā in the Ramāyaṇa, Ananyā captures the devotional fidelity and centeredness that many traditions praise in her relationship with Rāma. It is a popular modern name that signals steadfast devotion rather than ritual purity alone.

• Śubhrā / Shubhra — bright, white, pure. Pronunciation: SHOOB-hraa.

  Used poetically in Sanskrit literature to connote whiteness and clarity, Shubhra is an auspicious name that evokes the luminous aspect of purity celebrated in many devotional songs about Sītā.

Practical notes for parents

• Regional forms: Many of these names appear in local forms (e.g., Siya for Sītā, Maithili vs. Maithili) — check pronunciation and script in your language.
• Script and meaning: When registering a name, confirm the Devanagari or regional script spelling and its Sanskrit etymology if that is important to your family tradition.
• Cultural fit: Some names are explicitly devotional (Sītā, Jānakī), others highlight qualities (Pavitrā, Ananyā). Choose what resonates with values you wish to encourage.
• Festival context: If you want a name tied to a calendar observance, Vivāha Pañcamī (celebrating Sītā–Rāma’s marriage) is traditionally observed in Kartika/Mārgashīrsha (generally October–December by the Gregorian calendar) in many regions; local panchāṅga dates vary year to year.
• Interpretive range: Remember that Sītā is read differently across schools (Vaiṣṇava, Śākta, Smārta, regional folk traditions). Choosing a name after her can honour multiple dimensions — devotion, moral courage, or earthy resilience — depending on the story you wish to foreground.

Closing reflection

Names connected to Sītā bring with them a long devotional and literary history. Whether you opt for the directness of Sītā or the tonal beauty of Pavitrā, each name points to aspects of sanctity, steadfastness and rootedness that different communities have treasured for millennia. Interpretations vary; a good practice is to consult family elders, local priests or a panchāṅga for ritual details and to choose the form and spelling that best fits your linguistic and cultural context.