10 Indian baby names that mean ‘faith’

Why choose a name that means “faith”?

Names that mean faith speak to qualities valued across Hindu traditions: trust in a teacher or scripture, steady devotion, and moral resolve. In Sanskrit the common word is shraddhā — faith or earnest trust — and the Bhagavad Gītā (chapter 17) discusses different types of shraddhā. Bhakti traditions emphasize heartfelt devotion; Vedānta commentators often stress faith in a competent teacher and the scriptures. Interpretations vary by school, so a name that evokes “faith” can carry devotional, ethical, or philosophical undertones depending on family preference.

Notes on usage

• Gender: Many of these names are used across genders or have masculine/feminine variants; notes below indicate common use.
• Spelling: Regional spellings vary (Aastha/Astha, Vishwas/Vishvas).
• Naming ritual: The Namakarana (naming ceremony) is commonly performed by many families on the 11th day after birth, though customs and tithis differ regionally and by community.
• Cultural sensitivity: These meanings are presented with humility about interpretive range across Śaiva, Vaiṣṇava, Śākta and Smārta traditions.

Ten Indian baby names that mean “faith” (or close variants)

• Shraddha — (Sanskrit: shraddhā). Pronunciation: SHRAH-dha. Gender: usually feminine.

  Meaning: faith, trust, reverent belief. Usage: a widely used feminine name in many Indian languages. Scriptural note: the Bhagavad Gītā and later devotional texts use shraddhā to describe a devotee’s sincere trust. Nicknames: Shradha, Ddhu.

• Aastha (Astha) — (Sanskrit-rooted: often written āsthā in Hindi contexts). Pronunciation: AHS-tha. Gender: feminine.

  Meaning: faith, belief, trust. Usage: common across Hindi, Marathi, Gujarati and other languages as Aastha or Astha. Connotations: everyday word for religious or personal faith; neutral and modern in feel.

• Nishtha — (Sanskrit: niṣṭhā). Pronunciation: NISH-tha. Gender: feminine (used unisex occasionally).

  Meaning: steadiness, devotion, firm commitment. Usage: carries a sense of disciplined faith or steadfastness — valued in both monastic and householder contexts. In many texts niṣṭhā denotes moral adherence or devotion.

• Vishwas (Vishvas) — (Sanskrit: viśvāsa). Pronunciation: VISH-was. Gender: masculine/unisex.

  Meaning: trust, confidence, faith. Usage: common modern name in Hindi and other languages. Variants: Vishvasa, Visvas. Tone: secular-friendly, often chosen for the quality of trust and reliability it implies.

• Vishwasini — feminine form of Vishwas. Pronunciation: vish-WAH-see-nee. Gender: feminine.

  Meaning: one who trusts or is faithful. Usage: used when families want a clearly feminine form of the “Vishwas” root; carries both personal and devotional overtones.

• Shraddhavan — (Sanskrit compound shraddhā-vān). Pronunciation: SHRAH-dha-van. Gender: masculine (can be honorific).

  Meaning: “one who possesses faith” or “faithful person.” Usage: classical-sounding, used in devotional or literary contexts; appears in Sanskrit literature as a description of pious persons.

• Astika — (Sanskrit: āstik). Pronunciation: AS-ti-ka. Gender: masculine (Astika); feminine form sometimes used.

  Meaning: a believer; literally “one who accepts” (classically used for those who accept the authority of the Vedas). Cultural note: in philosophical debates the term contrasts with nāstika (non-Vedic). As a name it signals regard for scriptural or traditional faith but can be read differently in philosophical contexts.

• Bhakti — (Sanskrit: bhakti). Pronunciation: BHUK-tee. Gender: feminine (used unisex sometimes).

  Meaning: devotion, devotional faith. Usage: closely tied to the bhakti movement and devotional traditions to Krishna, Rama, Shiva, Devi and others. In Vaiṣṇava and Śākta contexts the name emphasizes loving devotion rather than abstract belief.

• Pratyaya — (Sanskrit: pratyaya). Pronunciation: pruh-TYAH-ya. Gender: masculine or unisex.

  Meaning: confidence, conviction, trust. Usage: slightly literary or Sanskritized; suggests intellectual conviction or inner certainty (rather than only emotional devotion). Good for families wanting a classical flavor.

• Dhriti (Dhrithi) — (Sanskrit: dhṛti). Pronunciation: DHRIT-ee. Gender: feminine (used unisex occasionally).

  Meaning: steadiness, fortitude, firm resolve. Usage: often chosen to express the steadiness that underpins faith — the inner strength to remain committed. Appears in Puranic and epic descriptions as a virtue.

Choosing among these names

If you want a name that signals devotional life, Bhakti or Shraddha may be apt. For a secular or virtue-oriented nuance, Vishwas, Pratyaya or Dhriti work well. Astika and Shraddhavan have stronger classical or scriptural resonance. Local language sound and family custom often determine the final spelling and form.

Final note

Meanings of Sanskrit-derived names carry shades shaped by scripture, regional usage and family tradition. The descriptions above aim to be factual yet modest about interpretive range. If you plan a naming ceremony, consult elders or a family pandit for ritual details and auspicious tithis, since practices vary across communities.