10 baby girl names that mean ‘pure’ or ‘chaste’

Names that mean “pure” or “chaste”: context first

Purity (Sanskrit: śuddhi — purification/cleanliness) is an important moral and ritual idea across many Hindu traditions. It appears in Vedic hymns as cleanliness and brightness, in Puranic literature as moral innocence, and in Tantric and Bhakti streams as inner freedom from stain. Different communities emphasise different aspects — ceremonial purity, ethical integrity, or inner purity of mind — so a name meaning “pure” can carry ritual, moral and poetic resonances.

Ten baby-girl names that connote purity

• Nirmala (निर्मला)

  Meaning: “unstained, spotless, undefiled.” Derived from nir (without) + mala (impurity). Widely used across India; found in devotional contexts and modern usage. Conveys inner and outer purity.

• Vimala (विमला)

  Meaning: “pure, stainless, immaculate.” Vimala is a classical Sanskrit adjective. In some regions the name is linked to the goddess Vimala, worshipped within the Jagannath temple complex at Puri; in other contexts it is simply a devotional epithet for the Divine Mother. The name is common in both devotional and secular use.

• Amala (अमल/अमला)

  Meaning: “pure, clean, spotless.” Root sense is “without blemish.” Amala appears in classical Sanskrit as an adjective and is used as a feminine personal name in many Indian languages.

• Pavitra / Pavithra (पवित्र / पवित्रा)

  Meaning: “sacred, pure, holy.” From pav (to purify). The form Pavitra is common in Sanskrit and Hindi; Pavithra is a southern/Tamilised pronunciation often used in Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam and Tamil. Connotes ritual sanctity as well as moral purity.

• Pavani (पावनी)

  Meaning: “that which purifies” or “purifying.” Feminine derivative of pavana (purifier). It is used poetically for rivers and deities (the Ganga or other sacred streams are sometimes described as pavani), and functions well as a contemporary given name.

• Pavika (पाविका)

  Meaning: “pure, holy.” A less common feminine form related to pav (to purify). Pleasant-sounding and regionally versatile; used by families seeking a Sanskrit-rooted name with softer ending.

• Shuchi (शुचि)

  Meaning: “pure, bright, clean.” In classical and Vedic Sanskrit śuci/śuchi denotes purity in ritual and moral senses. As a name it highlights clarity, cleanliness and simplicity.

• Shuddhi / Shuddha (शुद्धि / शुद्धा)

  Meaning: “purification” (shuddhi) or “pure” (shuddha/shuddhā). Śuddhi is also a technical term in ritual and philosophical texts referring to the process of purification. The word can be used directly as a name (Shuddhi) or as an adjective form (Shuddha/Shuddhā).

• Vishuddha / Vishuddhi (विशुद्ध / विशुद्धि)

  Meaning: “most pure” or “supremely pure.” In yogic systems the related term Vishuddha names the throat chakra; in classical usage it emphasises a high degree of purity. As a given name it connotes spiritual refinement. (If exploring chakra-based practices, consult a qualified teacher; such practices can have psychological effects.)

• Shubhra (शुभ्र) / Shubhraa (शुभ्रा)

  Meaning: “bright, white, clear.” White and brightness have long symbolised purity in Sanskrit literature and iconography. Shubhra is an adjective often used poetically; Shubhraa is a feminine form used as a given name.

Short notes on scriptural and cultural usage

Many of these words occur in Sanskrit poetry, the Puranas and later devotional literature as adjectives or epithets. For example, words from the pav-/pavitra family are used for sacred rivers and objects that cleanse ritual impurity; vimala and nirmala appear as epithets for goddesses and saints. Interpretations vary: in ritual manuals “purity” often means cleanliness and correct procedure, while in Bhakti poetry it refers to devotion’s freedom from ego. Be modest about claims of exclusive meaning—names carry layered connotations across time and region.

Practical tips for choosing a name

• Check the spelling in Devanagari: ask a Sanskrit-knowledgeable elder or pandit to confirm correct form and gender ending (–ā, –ī, etc.).
• Consider family tradition: many families follow Gotra, Nakshatra or Namakarana (naming ceremony) customs — discuss with elders to respect continuity.
• Think about meaning and usage: some forms are common (Nirmala, Pavitra), others more Sanskritised (Vishuddhi). Pick what balances tradition and everyday ease.
• Respect religious sentiment: names that are also deity-epithets (Vimala, Pavitra) are widely used, but if you plan specific devotional practices, check family preferences about naming after a living deity.
• Pronunciation and local languages: some forms change in South Indian tongues (Pavithra), while others are pan-Indian. Try saying the full name aloud with your surname to assess flow.

Closing thought

Names that mean “pure” or “chaste” can express ritual respectability, moral aspiration, or poetic brightness. They draw on long Sanskrit roots and regional usages; choosing one is both a personal and cultural decision. If you want, share a few family preferences (sound, script, regional language) and I can suggest shortlists that fit those constraints.