10 baby girl names that mean ‘star’

Choosing a name that means “star”: scope and care

Many Indian names associated with the word “star” come directly from Sanskrit words for star or from the names of stars and nakshatra (lunar mansions). Different traditions—Śaiva, Vaiṣṇava, Śākta, Smārta, and Buddhist—may emphasize different stories or deities linked to a name. Below are ten girl names that either literally mean “star” or are classical star/nakshatra names commonly used for girls. Pronunciations are approximate; double letters indicate a long vowel or retroflex where relevant.

Ten baby girl names that mean “star” (or are star names)

• Tārā (pronounced TAH-raa) — Origin: Sanskrit
  • Meaning: “star”; also “saviour” or “one who helps across” in some contexts.
  • Cultural notes: Tārā is both a Vedic/Brahmanical lexical word for star and an important goddess in Buddhist and Śākta traditions. In Tibetan Buddhism she is a bodhisattva; in some Hindu texts she is counted among goddesses. The name is widely used across India.
• Sitāra / Sitara (pronounced si-TAH-ra) — Origin: Persian/Urdu, widely used in India
  • Meaning: “star”.
  • Cultural notes: Although not a native Sanskrit word, Sitara has long been used in South Asian languages and popular culture as a poetic word for star. It is common across linguistic communities in India.
• Nakshatra (pronounced NAK-shuh-tra) — Origin: Sanskrit
  • Meaning: literally “star” or “lunar mansion” (nakṣatra — a division of the ecliptic used in traditional astronomy and astrology).
  • Cultural notes: Nakshatra is increasingly used as a girl’s name. In classical sources, nakshatras are personified and linked to myths; choosing this name often signals an astrological or celestial sentiment.
• Kṛttikā / Kritika (pronounced KRIT-tee-ka) — Origin: Sanskrit
  • Meaning: name of the Pleiades cluster; one of the nakshatras.
  • Cultural notes: In Purāṇic stories the Krittikā are the six mothers who nurture Skanda/Kārttikeya. The nakshatra Kṛttikā corresponds to the Pleiades star cluster and is associated with fire and nurture in some texts.
• Rohinī (pronounced ro-HEE-nee) — Origin: Sanskrit
  • Meaning: name of a star (Aldebaran) and a nakshatra; often rendered as “the red one” or “growing, fertile.”
  • Cultural notes: Rohini is also the name of a prominent mythic figure (mother of Balarama in some Puranic accounts) and is popular as a feminine name.
• Chitra (pronounced CHIT-rah) — Origin: Sanskrit
  • Meaning: “bright,” “beautiful”; also the name of the nakshatra Chitra (associated with the star Spica).
  • Cultural notes: Chitra appears in classical literature as an epithet for brilliance and beauty; the astronomical link is through the nakshatra.
• Śwāti / Swati (pronounced SWAH-tee) — Origin: Sanskrit
  • Meaning: name of a nakshatra; traditionally associated with a bright star or group of stars.
  • Cultural notes: Swati is used as a girl’s name across India. Etymological glosses vary; in classical sources it is a lunar mansion linked with movement and independence.
• Arundhati (pronounced ah-roon-DAH-tee) — Origin: Sanskrit
  • Meaning: name of a star (the companion of Vashistha in Ursa Major, often identified with Alcor); literally can mean “washed in red” or “reddish.”
  • Cultural notes: In Hindu marriage rituals the bride is often shown the star Arundhati as an exemplar of wifely fidelity. The name carries both literary and ritual resonance.
• Dhruvi (pronounced DROO-vee) — Origin: derived from Sanskrit dhruva
  • Meaning: feminine form of Dhruva; evokes the pole star or steadiness (Dhruva is the mythic devotee associated with the fixed pole star).
  • Cultural notes: Dhruvi suggests constancy and the polar star’s guiding quality; used by families who want a celestial yet classical-sounding name.
• Uttara (pronounced ut-TAH-ra) — Origin: Sanskrit
  • Meaning: “northern” or “later”; used as a personal name and also appears in the nakshatra name Uttara Phalguni.
  • Cultural notes: Uttara appears in epic and Puranic literature (Uttara of the Mahabharata). Its connection to a nakshatra gives it an astronomical association even if its literal meaning is not “star.”

Practical notes for parents

• Pronunciation and spelling: Spellings vary by language and script. Decide on a standardized spelling you like (Tara, Tāra, Tārā) and a simple phonetic guide for relatives and officials.
• Astrological links: Many of these names are also names of nakshatras; families who name by the child’s janma nakshatra may match the name to that star. If you plan to consult an astrologer, do so respectfully and as one input among others.
• Cultural resonance: Some names (Tārā, Arundhati, Kṛttikā) carry strong religious or literary associations in different traditions. If you want a secular tone, Sitara or Nakshatra are widely used across communities.
• Nicknames and combinations: Short forms such as Tara/Taru, Sita, Chitu, Ruhi, or Dhruvi work well; names pair naturally with Sanskrit-based middle names (e.g., Tārā Devī, Rohinī Lakshmi).

Respecting diversity

Meanings and associations can vary by region and school of thought. For example, Tārā is both a Vedic word and an important figure in Buddhist and Śākta practice. Kṛttikā appears in Purāṇic nurture myths and in astronomy as the Pleiades. When choosing a name, many families weigh linguistic sound, cultural story, and personal meaning together.

Note: If you plan rituals or practices connected to a nakshatra or deity, consult knowledgeable community priests or scholars for details; if any ceremonial practice involves fasting or breathwork, take standard health precautions and seek appropriate medical advice.