10 royal baby names from Indian history
Intro
Choosing a name from India’s long royal past can link a child to stories of valor, learning, temple patronage and moral ideals. Many historic names also carry spiritual overtones: they echo ideas such as dharma — ethical duty — or devotion to a deity. Below are ten names borne by prominent rulers from different regions and periods. For each I give a brief gloss, the major historical bearer(s), and why the name resonates today. I note interpretive differences where relevant; historians and religious traditions do not always agree on meanings and motives.
How these names were selected
- All are attested in inscriptions, court chronicles or literary works and linked to rulers known beyond their birthplace.
- Each name has a clear etymological sense in Sanskrit or regional Prakrits and carries cultural or spiritual associations.
- The list aims to be pan‑Indian and non‑sectarian: it includes figures connected to temple building, literature, administration and religious patronage across traditions.
Ten royal names from Indian history
Ashoka (Asoka — “without sorrow”)
Ashoka (reigned c. 268–232 BCE) of the Maurya dynasty is famous for his edicts and conversion to Buddhism after the Kalinga war. In inscriptions he promotes non‑violence and dhamma (often translated as “righteous conduct” or “ethical living”). The name suggests freedom from suffering and is associated with moral reform and public welfare in historical memory. Different traditions emphasise either his Buddhist patronage or his role as a pragmatic administrator.
Chandragupta (Chandragupta — “protected by the moon”)
Chandragupta Maurya (c. 322–298 BCE) founded the Maurya empire; later, Chandragupta II (Gupta period, c. 375–415 CE) is remembered for cultural flourishing. The compound Chandra (moon) + gupta (protected/secret) carries both poetic and royal resonance. In inscriptions and court poetry the name signals sovereignty aligned with celestial sanction — a common motif in Indian kingship.
Samudragupta (Samudragupta — “ocean‑like protector” / “conqueror of the sea”)
Samudragupta (4th century CE), famed in the Allahabad (Prayagraj) inscription, is often celebrated as a military and cultural patron of the Gupta age. The element samudra (ocean) evokes vastness; gupta can mean protected or secret, and some interpreters read the name to suggest mastery and expansive rule. He is associated with poetic patronage as much as with campaigns—useful for families who value learning.
Harsha (Harsha — “joy” or “delight”)
Harsha (Harṣa; reigned c. 606–647 CE) of Thanesar is celebrated in the Sanskrit prose play and by the Chinese pilgrim Xuanzang for his patronage of learning and religious pluralism. The name literally means joy or delight and appears in devotional and courtly contexts. In some accounts Harsha patronised Buddhist and Brahmanical institutions, so the name can signal a rulerly blend of piety and cultural generosity.
Rajaraja (Rajaraja — “king of kings”)
Rajaraja I (reigned 985–1014 CE) of the Chola empire is famed for building the Brihadeeswarar Temple at Thanjavur. The compound raja (king) repeated emphasizes supreme sovereignty. In temple inscriptions the name is linked to large temple endowments and administrative reform. Families drawn to architecture, temple culture or south Indian heritage often choose this name for its historic and devotional associations.
Rajendra (Rajendra — “lord of kings” or “lord of the kingdom”)
Rajendra Chola I (reigned c. 1014–1044 CE) extended Chola influence overseas. The name combines raja (king) with indra (lord), and inscriptions celebrate his naval expeditions and temple patronage. In literary and epigraphic contexts it connotes rulership that is both expansive and sacrificial (temple endowments); modern parents may prefer its dignified ring and classical pedigree.
Prithviraj (Prithvirāja — “king of the earth”)
Prithviraj Chauhan (reigned late 12th century CE) is a central figure in Rajput chronicles and ballads. The name fuses prithvi (earth) and raja (king), invoking territorial kingship and martial virtue. Folk and court traditions treat him as a heroic archetype; historians debate legendary embellishments, so the name carries both historic prestige and romanticised memory.
Shivaji (Śivājī — “devotee or scion of Shiva” / “born of Shiva’s grace”)
Shivaji (1627–1680 CE) founded the Maratha kingdom and is widely remembered for statecraft and resistance to imperial power. The personal name links to Shiva (Śiva), a principal deity in many Hindu traditions, and in Marathi contexts also connotes local sovereignty and saintly patronage. Interpretations vary across communities; as a name it combines devotional and regional identity.
Krishnadevaraya (Krishna‑deva‑rāya — “Krishna, god‑king”)
Krishnadevaraya (reigned 1509–1529 CE) of Vijayanagara is celebrated for administrative skill, temple patronage and a flowering of Telugu and Kannada literature. The name ties the personal deity Krishna (a Vaiṣṇava figure) to royal divinity. In temple inscriptions and court poetry he is praised as an ideal sovereign; the name appeals to families valuing literary culture and temple arts.
Vikramaditya (Vikrama‑aditya — “valorous sun” / “sun‑of‑valor”)
Vikramaditya is a legendary title used by several historical and semi‑legendary kings (ancient Ujjain traditions, later dynastic claims). Vikrama (valour) + aditya (sun) evokes heroic rulership and justice; the Vikrama Samvat calendar is traditionally associated with such kings. Because the name spans legend and history, it signals an aspirational ideal of righteous sovereignty rather than a single concrete biography.
Closing notes
These names carry layered meanings: linguistic roots, epigraphic records and devotional resonances. Families often weigh sound, regional identity, caste and religious traditions, and sometimes consult elders or astrological advisers; such practices are interpretive rather than prescriptive. Whatever the choice, respect for local customs and historical nuance helps the name become a living link between a child and India’s many traditions.
