10 baby names that mean ‘fire’ or ‘flame’

Fire and flame in Hindu naming

Fire (the Sanskrit word agni — the Vedic fire) is a powerful symbol across Hindu thought: it is sacrifice and sustainer, purifier and inner radiance. Different schools emphasise different aspects — in Vedic ritual Agni is the mediator between humans and gods; in Śākta forms the goddess appears as a consuming flame; in philosophical texts “fire” can mean inner austerity or spiritual luminosity (tapas — ascetic heat). The following ten names draw on those meanings. Each entry gives a concise sense of meaning, the Sanskrit root or word, typical gender use, pronunciation hints, and traditional associations.

Ten names that mean “fire” or “flame”

• Agni

  Meaning: Fire; the Vedic fire-god.
  Root/word: Sanskrit agni — the primary personification of fire in the Rigveda.
  Gender: Masculine (commonly).
  Pronunciation: AG-nee (short a).
  Notes: In Vedic ritual Agni carries offerings to the gods; as a name it carries strong ritual and literary resonance across traditions.

• Agneya

  Meaning: Fiery; “of or born from Agni.” Often taken to mean “son/daughter of fire” or “fiery one.”
  Root/word: Derived from Agni with the possessive/relational suffix.
  Gender: Unisex in modern use but often masculine in classical context.
  Pronunciation: ag-NEY-ya.
  Notes: In some texts the term designates the southeast direction and is used metaphorically for ardour or courage.

• Anala

  Meaning: Fire, blaze.
  Root/word: Sanskrit anala — a common Vedic/epic word for fire.
  Gender: Often used for females but can be unisex.
  Pronunciation: ah-NAH-la.
  Notes: Appears in classical poetry and purāṇic lists as a name or epithet of Agni; suggests warmth and sustaining energy rather than only destructive heat.

• Jwālā / Jwālāa (Jwālā)

  Meaning: Flame, blaze; also used for sacred flame forms of the Goddess (e.g., Jwālā Devi).
  Root/word: From Sanskrit jvāla — flame or burning tongue.
  Gender: Commonly feminine.
  Pronunciation: JWAA-la or jwa-LAA.
  Notes: Strongly associated with living goddess sites (for example the Jwalamukhi/Jwālā temples) where a natural flame is venerated; usage carries devotional connotations.

• Vahni (Vāhni)

  Meaning: Fire, flame.
  Root/word: Sanskrit vāhni — an alternative Vedic term for fire.
  Gender: Often feminine in modern names; can be unisex.
  Pronunciation: VAA-hni or VAH-ni.
  Notes: Occurs in liturgical and poetic contexts as a synonym of Agni; the name evokes ritual fire and the sacrificial hearth.

• Tejas

  Meaning: Brilliance, splendour, inner fire; sometimes translated as “energy” or “vital radiance.”
  Root/word: From Sanskrit tejas — light, vigour, sometimes the inner power that burns away ignorance.
  Gender: Commonly masculine but increasingly used as unisex.
  Pronunciation: TAY-jus or TEH-jas.
  Notes: Used in philosophical texts (and Gītā commentaries) for spiritual power and luminosity rather than literal flame, making it a popular contemporary choice.

• Tejal / Teja

  Meaning: Radiant, luminous, fiery; “full of tejas.”
  Root/word: Related to tejas — denotes shining quality.
  Gender: Tejal can be masculine or feminine; Teja is often feminine in south India and masculine in other regions.
  Pronunciation: TEH-jal; TEH-ja.
  Notes: Contemporary and easy to pronounce across languages in India; conveys warmth and brightness more than destructive fire.

• Pavaka

  Meaning: Purifying fire; one who purifies by burning away impurities.
  Root/word: Sanskrit pavaka — an epithet of Agni and of the ritual fire.
  Gender: Masculine in classical usage; can be adopted as unisex.
  Pronunciation: pa-VA-ka.
  Notes: Often used in scriptural contexts to describe sacrificial fire and metaphorical purification in spiritual practice.

• Shikha / Śikhā

  Meaning: Flame, tuft of flame; also “crest” or “peak.”
  Root/word: Sanskrit śikhā — a tongue of flame or a top/crest.
  Gender: Commonly feminine (Shikha) but the root word is neutral.
  Pronunciation: SHEE-kha.
  Notes: Used poetically and in daily language; the imagery is of a small bright flame or peak of light, often used for girls’ names.

• Arka

  Meaning: Sun; radiant light (sun as a burning body).
  Root/word: Sanskrit arka — often denotes the sun or sun-like radiance.
  Gender: Masculine, though derivatives are used for females too (Arkaṭa, Arkaja etc.).
  Pronunciation: AR-ka.
  Notes: While literally “sun,” Arka overlaps culturally with ideas of fire and light and is attested in epic and Puranic literature.

Choosing a name — cultural and devotional notes

Names with fire imagery can signal ritual connection, inner luminosity, or protective strength. Different communities have naming customs — e.g., nakshatra-based syllable rules or family lineage practices — so families often consult elders or priests when they seek auspicious sounds. If you want a close connection to scripture, mention the context (Vedic, Puranic, or devotional) when discussing choices with traditional advisers.

Pronunciation and modern use

Many of these names adapt easily across Indian languages. Short pronunciation notes above aim to help families pick a form that fits regional speech. Spellings vary in Roman script (Jwala vs Jwālā; Tejas vs Tejās) — using Devanagari when registering a name can preserve the intended sound.

Respectful perspective

Across Śaiva, Vaiṣṇava, Śākta and Smārta communities, the symbolism of fire is shared though interpreted differently — as sacrificial Agni, as Śiva’s inner tapas, or as the Goddess’s consuming blaze. Presenting a name to a child is a social and sometimes ritual act; acknowledging those different interpretive layers can help a name find a rooted and lasting place in family life.