10 baby names that mean ‘gift from God’

Why names that mean “gift from God” matter in Hindu traditions

In Sanskrit several words capture the idea of a divine gift: prasāda — gracious gift or offering, datt(a) — given, and anugraha — divine favour or blessing. Names built from these roots are common across Indian languages and devotional traditions. In Vaiṣṇava practice, for example, prasāda often refers to food offered to a deity and returned as blessed food; in Śaiva and Śākta contexts terms such as anugraha emphasise the deity’s grace. Below are ten names used in Hindu cultural contexts that carry the sense “gift from God,” with brief notes on meaning, script, gender usage and cultural or textual associations.

Ten names that mean “gift from God”

1. Devadatta (देवदत्त)

• Meaning: “Given by the gods” (deva = god; datta = given).
• Gender: Masculine.
• Notes: Appears in Sanskrit literature and folklore. The name is neutral in Hindu contexts as “a gift of the gods.” Be aware that in Buddhist texts a figure named Devadatta is known for opposing the Buddha; usage can carry different associations across traditions.
• Nicknames/variants: Dev, Datta.

2. Dattatreya (दत्तात्रेय)

• Meaning: “Datta (given) + Atreya (descendant of Atri)” — often interpreted as the sage or deity ‘given’ to Atri. By tradition Dattatreya is a combined manifestation associated with the Trimurti.
• Gender: Masculine (also used devotionally for the deity itself).
• Notes: Prominent in Puranic and tantric literature; worshipped in many regional streams. Theological readings vary: some Puranas describe Dattatreya as an avatāra with attributes of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva.
• Nicknames: Datta, Dattu.

3. Prasad / Prasāda (प्रसाद / प्रसादा)

• Meaning: “Divine gift; grace; blessed offering.”
• Gender: Unisex; masculine form common as a given name or suffix (e.g., Hari Prasad), feminine form Prasāda used occasionally.
• Cultural note: In temple practice prasāda is the food or object returned to devotees as blessing. As a name it expresses gratitude for a child as a blessing from the divine.
• Nicknames/variants: Prash, Prasu, compounds like Ramprasad, Hariprasad.

4. Anugraha / Anugrah (अनुग्रह)

• Meaning: “Divine favour; grace — the gift of blessing.”
• Gender: Often masculine as a given name; feminine forms also occur.
• Context: Many devotional texts speak of a deity’s anugraha as the decisive blessing that transforms a seeker. Different schools emphasise how grace operates—some stress personal effort alongside grace; commentators make varied readings.
• Nicknames: Anu, Graha.

5. Varada (वरदा)

• Meaning: “Giver of boons” or “granting blessings.”
• Gender: Commonly feminine; also used as an epithet for deities.
• Iconography/Textual link: The varada mudrā (hand gesture) symbolizes granting of blessings in temple iconography. The word appears in Puranic and devotional literature as an attribute of gods and goddesses.
• Nicknames/variants: Vara, Varda.

6. Upahara (उपहार) / Upahar

• Meaning: “Gift, offering.”
• Gender: Unisex; used more as a poetic or modern name.
• Notes: A straightforward Sanskrit noun for a gift or present. As a name it emphasises the child as a cherished offering or blessing.
• Nicknames: Upa, Har.

7. Devdan / Devdaan (देवदान)

• Meaning: “Gift of the gods” (compound: deva + dāna meaning gift/giving).
• Gender: Masculine.
• Notes: A transparent compound used in modern naming; less frequent in classical literature but clear in meaning.
• Nicknames: Dev, Dan.

8. Ramprasad (रामप्रसाद)

• Meaning: “Gift/blessing of Rama.”
• Gender: Masculine.
• Cultural note: Compound names combining a deity’s name and prasāda are common across India — e.g., Ramprasad, Hariprasad — and express that the child is a divine gift. The 18th‑century Bengali poet Ramprasad Sen famously bore this name.
• Nicknames: Ram, Prasad.

9. Hariprasad (हरिप्रसाद)

• Meaning: “Blessing/gift of Hari (Vishnu).”
• Gender: Masculine.
• Notes: Widely used in North and South India. In devotional families the name signals a connection to Vaishnava devotion and the idea of divine grace as a personal gift.
• Nicknames: Hari, Prasad.

10. Govindadatta / Govindaprasad (गोविन्ददत्त / गोविन्दप्रसाद)

• Meaning: “Given by Govinda (Krishna)” or “gift/blessing of Govinda.”
• Gender: Masculine.
• Notes: Compound names that pair a deity’s name with datta or prasāda are traditional and convey a devotional attribution: the child is seen as belonging to or gifted by that deity. Regional pronunciation and spelling vary.
• Nicknames: Govind, Datta, Prasad.

Practical considerations and respectful use

Choosing a name in Hindu families often balances meaning with family traditions, astrological considerations (nāḷkaṣtra/nakshatra), and regional language. Some families prefer classical Sanskrit forms; others opt for colloquial or compound devotional names (e.g., Hariprasad). Be mindful that a single name can have diverse associations across communities — for example, Devadatta appears in both Hindu and Buddhist sources with different stories — so parents often check cultural resonances before deciding.

If you plan rituals around naming (nāmakaraṇa) consult family elders or a trusted priest in your tradition for suitable mantras and timing; practices differ among Śaiva, Vaiṣṇava, Śākta and Smārta households. Above all, choosing a name that feels respectful to your lineage and meaningful in your language will anchor the child’s identity as a welcomed blessing.