10 trending baby girl names in India this year

Posted by

On October 11, 2025

Names with spiritual roots: why they matter now

Choosing a name in many Hindu families is more than a label — it connects a child to language, scripture, myth and living devotional practices. The naming ceremony, Namakarana — naming ritual — is one of the traditional samskaras (sacraments) that links family, community and a child’s place in dharma — ethical duty. This year parents seeking names that feel both modern and rooted have favoured short, meaningful Sanskrit-derived names and names associated with goddesses, sacred concepts and devotional poets.

Ten trending baby girl names and their spiritual resonances

Aadhya (pronounced AA-dhya)

Meaning: “first” or “primeval”.
Spiritual note: Related to Adya Shakti — the primordial feminine power invoked in Devi texts. In some Puranic and Tantric traditions Adya is used as an epithet for the Goddess.
Why trending: Short, directly feminine and devotional; appeals to parents who want a clear Shakta association.
Nicknames: Aadya, Adhi.

Ishani (ISH-ah-nee)

Meaning: “consort of Ishvara” or “belonging to God”; often taken as a name of the Goddess.
Spiritual note: In Śaiva contexts Ishani is used for the Goddess who accompanies Śiva. The name appears in devotional hymns and later Puranic literature.
Why trending: Elegant, classical feel with direct linkage to Śaiva devotion.
Nicknames: Ishu, Ish.

Vedika (VEH-di-ka)

Meaning: “altar, platform” or related to the Vedas (scriptures).
Spiritual note: The root evokes the Vedas and ritual spaces — Vedika also appears in classical Sanskrit as a term for elevated platforms used in ceremonies.
Why trending: Conveys learned, scriptural resonance without being overtly religious; attractive to families valuing tradition and education.
Nicknames: Vedi, Veda.

Saanvi (SAAN-vee)

Meaning: Often associated with Lakshmi or “sacred knowledge” in modern usage.
Spiritual note: While Saanvi is largely a contemporary favorite, many parents use it as an epithet of Lakshmi (Vaiṣṇava devotion). The name carries a gentle devotional tone.
Why trending: Widely used across regions; blends modern sound with devotional feel.
Nicknames: Saan, Sanu.

Anika (AH-ni-ka)

Meaning: Depending on context: “graceful”, “another name of Durga” or “face/army” from older usage.
Spiritual note: Anika appears in devotional and poetic registers; in some traditions the name is tied to aspects of the Goddess. Its ambiguity makes it adaptable across Śaiva, Śākta and Smārta households.
Why trending: Short, pan-Indian pronunciation and multiple positive meanings.
Nicknames: Ani, Anu.

Diya (DEE-ya)

Meaning: “lamp” (from Sanskrit dīpa). Lamps symbolise light, knowledge and the victory of good over darkness.
Spiritual note: Lamps are central to rituals like aarti and festivals such as Deepavali (Diwali). The name carries ritual symbolism rather than direct scriptural authorship.
Why trending: Warm, familiar and easy to pronounce; a secular yet devotional choice.
Nicknames: Di, Diu.

Meera (MEE-ra)

Meaning: A historic name borne by the bhakti poet-saint Mirabai.
Spiritual note: Strongly associated with Vaiṣṇava devotion to Krishna; Meera’s poetry and life are central to many regional devotional traditions. Using the name evokes that bhakti lineage.
Why trending: Timeless devotional association and literary resonance.
Nicknames: Mimi, Meenu.

Amrita (uh-MREE-ta)

Meaning: “immortality” or the nectar of immortality (amrita), central to the Samudra Manthan (churning of the ocean) narrative.
Spiritual note: Appears repeatedly in Puranic and epic literature as the substance conferring immortality; used metaphorically in devotional songs and Tantra.
Why trending: Poetic, symbolic and distinctively feminine in sound.
Nicknames: Amri, Rita.

Tara (TAH-ra)

Meaning: “star”; also the name of a goddess in both Hindu and Buddhist traditions.
Spiritual note: In Hinduism Tara is a form of the Goddess (often Shakta) and features in Tantric literature; in Buddhism, Tara is a major bodhisattva-figure. The name therefore crosses sectarian boundaries.
Why trending: Internationally familiar yet deeply rooted in South Asian spiritual vocabularies.
Nicknames: Taru, Tia.

Ira (EE-ra)

Meaning: “earth” in one reading; also used for Sarasvati (goddess of learning) in some traditions.
Spiritual note: Short and classical-sounding, Ira resonates with parents who want a name that suggests learning, creativity and rootedness.
Why trending: Minimalist appeal and easy cross-lingual pronunciation.
Nicknames: Iri, Iraa.

Practical considerations and traditions

Many families still observe Namakarana, often choosing a name guided by family lineage, community custom or an astrologer’s suggested syllable. Others pick names for sound, regional fit and ease of pronunciation across languages. If you prefer a name with clear scriptural provenance, consult sources in the relevant tradition — for example, Puranas and Devi hymns for goddess names, or bhakti literature for poet-saints — remembering that interpretive claims vary by school.

Final thought. These ten names show a common pattern: short forms, feminine devotion or sacred concepts, and flexibility across communities. They reflect a contemporary desire for roots that also travel well in India’s plural religious landscape.