10 Indian baby names that mean ‘star’

Tara (Sanskrit: tārā — “star”) and other star-names have long been part of South Asian religious language and everyday naming. Stars and lunar mansions (nakshatra — “asterism, lunar mansion”) carry mythic, ritual and astrological meanings across Hindu and related traditions: from the Vedas and Purāṇas to regional wedding rites and modern nursery lists. Below are ten Indian baby names that either literally mean “star” or are the names of stars/nakshatras commonly used as given names, with brief notes on origin, usage and cultural context.

Names and short notes

• Tara (तारा) — meaning: “star.” Pronunciation: TAH-rah.
  
  Usage: Commonly feminine but used neutrally in some communities. Tārā is also the name of a goddess: in Hindu Śākta and tantric literature she appears as a form of the Goddess, and in Buddhist traditions she is an important bodhisattva. Parents often choose Tara for its simple sound and pan-Indian familiarity.
• Tarak / Taraka (तारक / तारका) — meaning: often glossed as “star” or “deliverer.” Pronunciation: TUH-ruk / tuh-RAH-kah.
  
  Notes: In classical Sanskrit, tāraka can mean “that which helps one cross (the ocean of samsara)” and is used poetically for a star that guides. Tarak (male) is a popular short form and carries both a celestial and protector sense.
• Sitara / Sitāra — meaning: “star” (from Persian/Urdu origin but widely used in Indian languages). Pronunciation: si-TAH-rah.
  
  Notes: Sitara became common in modern Hindi/Urdu-speaking areas and is used across communities. It has a slightly more modern or literary register compared with the Sanskrit tārā.
• Nakshatra (नक्षत्र) — meaning: “star, lunar mansion.” Pronunciation: nuk-SHA-tra.
  
  Notes: Literally the classical term for the 27/28 lunar mansions used in Vedic and later astrology. As a name it is often feminine. Choosing this name also signals cultural resonance with astrology and ritual calendars; many families consult the baby’s janma nakshatra (birth star) when naming.
• Krittika / Kritika (कृत्तिका) — meaning: the Pleiades cluster; one of the nakshatras. Pronunciation: KRIT-ti-ka.
  
  Notes: Krittika are the six sisters who nurse the war-god Skanda/Kartikeya in Purāṇic accounts. The name is traditional and strongly connected to the Kartika (Kartik) month and temple traditions, especially in South India.
• Dhruv / Dhruva (ध्रुव) — meaning: “fixed, immovable” and culturally associated with the pole star. Pronunciation: DHRUHV.
  
  Notes: The boy Dhruva’s story appears in the Bhāgavata Purāṇa (Canto 4), where devotion leads him to an immovable celestial place, the polar star. Dhruv is widely used and evokes steadiness and guidance rather than the literal “star” gloss alone.
• Rohini (रोहिणी) — meaning: a nakshatra name often associated with the red star Aldebaran. Pronunciation: ro-HEE-nee.
  
  Notes: Rohini is one of the prominent nakshatras and is the favourite of the moon (Chandra) in myth. As a personal name it is classical, literary and common for girls, especially in regions that follow pan-Indian naming styles.
• Arundhati (अरुंधती) — meaning: name of a star associated with conjugal fidelity. Pronunciation: uh-RUN-dha-tee.
  
  Notes: Arundhati appears in epic and Puranic literature as an exemplar of devoted wifehood; in many Hindu wedding rites the couple are asked to look for the Arundhati–Vashistha star pair as a symbol of fidelity. The name carries ritual and moral resonance.
• Pushya (पुष्य) — meaning: name of a nakshatra (often glossed “nourisher”). Pronunciation: POOSH-ya.
  
  Notes: Pushya is one of the auspicious lunar mansions in astrological calculation. As a given name it is rarer than some on this list but used in families that favour Vedic/astrological vocabulary.
• Anuradha (अनुराधा) — meaning: name of a nakshatra; often associated with devotion and friendship. Pronunciation: uh-noo-RAH-dha.
  
  Notes: Anuradha is a classical feminine name and one of the nakshatras used in naming and horoscopic traditions. Its cultural associations emphasise social bonds and auspicious connections rather than a literal one-word equivalent of “star.”

Practical notes when choosing a star-related name

• Sectarian and textual variety: Different traditions read these names differently. For example, Tārā has both Śākta/tantric and Buddhist dimensions; Dhruva is celebrated in Purāṇic narratives. If a name’s religious associations matter to you, ask family elders or priests for particular readings.
• Gender and modern usage: Many star names are flexible. Tara, Nakshatra and Pushya may be used cross-gender in contemporary India; check local usage and pronunciation preferences.
• Astral naming customs: In many Hindu households the child’s janma nakshatra (birth star) suggests syllables for the name; customs vary by region and community, and commentators differ about exact syllable lists—consult a trusted family astrologer or elder if you follow that tradition.
• Pronunciation and script: Decide how the name will be spelled in Devanagari or regional scripts and in the Latin alphabet—short vowel marks and consonant clusters influence everyday pronunciation and identity documents.
• Cultural fit: Some names (Sitara) have Persian/Urdu origins and some are classical Sanskrit; both are widely accepted across India today, but family preference for linguistic or regional continuity is worth noting.

Closing note

“Star” names in India move between literal celestial reference, mythic story and ritual practice. Many families choose them for poetic value, devotional connection or astrological reasons. Sources and meanings can differ by text and region; when in doubt, ask knowledgeable elders or local practitioners for the reading that matters most to your family.