10 beautiful baby girl names from Sanskrit

Choosing a Sanskrit name: a short note

Many parents look to Sanskrit — the classical language of much Hindu scripture, philosophy and poetry — for names that carry layered meanings. Sanskrit names often come from verbs, nouns or epithets found in the Vedas, Upaniṣads, Purāṇas and classical literature. Meanings can vary by root, grammar and regional usage; where a name appears in a scripture it may carry additional devotional or cultural associations. The suggestions below give pronunciation, Devanāgarī, a concise meaning, and a brief cultural note.

How to use this list

• Pronunciation: Provided as a simple guide; local pronunciations differ across India’s languages.
• Script and spelling: Devanāgarī is shown for clarity; you may choose other scripts (Kannada, Telugu, Bengali) depending on home language.
• Cultural fit: Some names are closely linked to particular goddesses or texts; families may prefer names that reflect their devotion, lineage or regional tradition.
• Ritual timing: The naming ceremony (namakarana) varies — commonly on the 11th or 12th day after birth in many communities, but customs differ. Consult family elders or a priest for your tradition’s practice.
• Care: If you follow naming through astrology or plan rituals that include fasting or breath practices, consult the relevant practitioner and follow safe health guidance.

Ten beautiful Sanskrit names for a baby girl

Aadhya — आध्य (Ādhya)

• Pronunciation: AAD-hya or AA-dhya
• Meaning: “First,” “primordial,” or “the beginning.”
• Notes: Used in modern devotional contexts as a name of the Goddess (Devi) in her primary form. Grammatically related to the root ādh- (to be first, to begin). Warm, modern and devotional in feel.

Aditi — अदिति (Aditi)

• Pronunciation: uh-DEE-ti
• Meaning: “Limitless,” “free from bounds.”
• Notes: A Vedic goddess appearing in the Rigveda as the mother of the ādityas (solar deities). Aditi is associated with space, generosity and motherhood across Vedic and later Purāṇic texts. A classical and ancient name with strong textual roots.

Ananya — अनन्या (Ananyā)

• Pronunciation: uh-NUN-yah
• Meaning: “Unique,” “without a second,” “matchless.”
• Notes: A straightforward Sanskrit compound (a- + nanya) often used in classical and modern contexts. It has a devotional feel when used to indicate singular devotion (e.g., “one without other”).

Divya — दिव्या (Divyā)

• Pronunciation: DIHV-yah
• Meaning: “Divine,” “heavenly,” “radiant.”
• Notes: From divya, a common adjective found in epics and Purāṇas to describe sacred or luminous things (divya-cakra, divya-drsti, etc.). Popular, easy to pronounce across India.

Ishani — इशानी (Iśānī)

• Pronunciation: ih-SHAH-nee
• Meaning: “Consort or feminine aspect of Īśāna (a form of Shiva)”; also “ruler,” “queenly.”
• Notes: Widely used as an epithet of Parvati or Durga in Purāṇic and devotional literature. In some traditions Ishani is explicitly identified with the divine feminine connected to Śiva’s north-east aspect. Suitable for families who like a clearly classical-theistic association without sectarian emphasis.

Kavya — काव्य (Kāvya)

• Pronunciation: KAHV-yah
• Meaning: “Poetry,” “poetic composition,” “literary art.”
• Notes: A literary word in Sanskrit denoting classical poetry (kāvya). As a name it evokes creativity, language and the literary tradition (Kālidāsa and others). Modern and cultured in tone.

Nandini — नन्दिनी (Nandinī)

• Pronunciation: nun-DEE-nee
• Meaning: “She who brings joy,” “delightful,” also “the wish-fulfilling cow” in Purāṇic lore.
• Notes: Appears in Puranic and Purusha stories as both a divine cow (Vasiṣṭha’s Nandini) and as an epithet of the Goddess. Conveys gentleness, abundance and auspiciousness.

Shreya — श्रेया (Śreyā)

• Pronunciation: SHREY-ah
• Meaning: “Auspicious,” “better,” “excellent.”
• Notes: From the classical Sanskrit concept śreya (the good, the beneficial), discussed in Upanishadic and ethical texts. A concise, modern-sounding name with strong philosophical resonance.

Tara — तारा (Tārā)

• Pronunciation: TAA-rah
• Meaning: “Star,” “savior” or the name of a goddess.
• Notes: Tara is both a celestial image (a star) and a major goddess in Tantric Śākta and Buddhist traditions. In Hindu Purāṇas she appears as an independent goddess; in tantric practice she is one of the prominent goddesses. Simple, pan-Indian and historically deep.

Vaidehi — वैदेही (Vaidehī)

• Pronunciation: VAI-deh-hee
• Meaning: “Woman of Videha” (Videha being the kingdom of Janaka); an epithet of Sītā.
• Notes: Found in the Rāmāyaṇa (Valmiki) and later retellings as a poetic and respectful name for Sītā. Carries strong epic and moral-cultural associations; often chosen for its classical, timeless character.

Closing thoughts

These ten names illustrate different registers of Sanskrit — Vedic theonyms (Aditi), epic epithets (Vaidehi), literary nouns (Kavya), and devotional titles (Ishani, Aadhya). Meanings can shift slightly by grammar or region, and a name’s devotional associations may carry particular weight in some families or communities. When choosing, consider sound, script, family traditions and how the name will be used socially. If you plan a traditional naming rite, consult the elders in your family or the tradition you follow for timing and practice.

May the choice be thoughtful and suited to your child’s life and your family’s values.