10 baby girl names that mean ‘beauty’

saundarya — beauty is a richly layered idea in Sanskrit literature and in living Hindu traditions: it can mean physical loveliness, inner grace, radiance or the attractive power of a deity. Meanings vary by region, language and religious context. Below are ten girl names drawn from Sanskrit and Indo‑Indic usage that are commonly understood to connote beauty, with short notes on roots, variants, devotional associations and pronunciation tips.

1. Lavanya — “grace, beauty”

Lavanya is a classical word for charm and grace. Poets use it for the attractive quality that wins the heart rather than mere ornament. As a name it reads well across Hindi, Marathi, Bengali and South Indian languages. Variants: Lavani (usually a dance form in Marathi) and affectionate shortenings like Lav.

2. Sundarī / Sundara — “beautiful, lovely”

From the adjective sundara (beautiful), Sundarī is widely used in devotional and literary contexts. In Śākta tradition the goddess Tripura‑Sundarī (often simply called Sundarī) is a central figure in the Lalita Sahasranama and other tantric texts; in Śaiva and Vaiṣṇava literature the word appears as an epithet for goddesses and for devotees’ beloveds. Regional pronunciations: “soon‑DAH‑ree” (Hindi/Bengali) or “sun‑DAH‑ra” (South Indian).

3. Rūpā / Rūpa — “form, beauty, appearance”

Rūpa literally means form or appearance and by extension beauty. It is the root for many feminine names: Rūpā, Rūpālī, Rūpanī, and Rūpavati. In Vaiṣṇava circles the name Rupa also recalls Rupa Gosvāmī (16th century) and thus carries devotional resonance. Spelling variants (Rupa/Roopa) are common in different scripts.

4. Rūpālī — “beautiful, silvery”

Rūpālī is a feminine adjective meaning “beautiful” or “silvery‑beautiful.” It is modern and lyrical, used across several Indian languages. It highlights aesthetic sheen or elegance rather than only bodily features.

5. Mīnakshī — “fish‑eyed” (classical ideal of beauty)

Mīnakshī literally means “fish‑eyed,” a classical simile for long, almond‑shaped, beautiful eyes in Sanskrit poetics. It is also the name of the goddess Mīnakshī, the principal deity of the great temple in Madurai; she is worshipped as an aspect of Parvati and is paired with Sundaresvara (Shiva) in local Śaiva devotion. The annual Chithirai festivities in Madurai (usually in April–May) celebrate this divine couple and their marriage in local tradition.

6. Kānti — “luster, radiance, beauty”

Kānti connotes radiance or luster and is used in classical texts for beauty that shines from within. The word occurs in Vedic and later Sanskrit literature as an epithet for goddesses and auspicious phenomena. As a personal name, Kānti is short, graceful and pan‑Indian. Pronounce “kaan‑tee.”

7. Charu / Charulata / Charumati — “tenderly beautiful, graceful”

Charu means pleasant, lovely or beautiful. Feminine compounds like Charulata (beautiful creeper) and Charumati (one with a beautiful mind) are traditional and literary choices; Tagore’s novella Charulata has kept the name culturally familiar in Bengali. These carry both physical and inner beauty connotations.

8. Śobhā / Śobhanā — “splendour, beauty, auspiciousness”

Śobhā (also written Shobha/Shobhna) refers to splendour, shine or attractive appearance. It appears in devotional hymns and secular poetry alike. The name suggests visible radiance and an auspicious presence; it’s widely used in many regions with local pronunciation variants.

9. Indira — “splendour, beauty”

Indira is an established Sanskrit name often glossed as “splendid” or “beautiful.” It is also an epithet of Lakṣmī in some texts. The name carries classical weight and modern familiarity; its pronunciation and spelling are stable across languages (“in‑DEE‑rah”).

10. Rati — “delight, love, beauty”

Rati is the classical goddess of love and pleasure, consort of Kāma. The root sense is delight or attraction, and it has long poetic usage to signal beauty that attracts desire. As a personal name it is compact, traditional and carries mythic associations across Hindu literature.

Choosing a name — practical notes

• Meaning in context: Sanskrit words like saundarya, sundara and rūpa have layers—physical beauty, inner radiance and devotional attractiveness—so pick the nuance you prefer.
• Variants and script: Spellings vary in Devanagari, Tamil, Bengali and Roman scripts. Say the name aloud in your family language to test sound and rhythm.
• Devotional names: If choosing a name associated with a deity (for example Mīnakshī or Sundarī), many families consult their family tradition or priest about using a sacred name; practices differ by community.
• Astrology and customs: Some families follow naming by nakṣatra/tithi; others prefer purely linguistic or cultural reasons. Both approaches are common and respected.

All names above are used in multiple Indian languages and carry a spectrum from visible beauty to inner grace or divine radiance. Meanings and connotations can shift by region, scripture and family tradition; consider sound, significance and devotion when choosing a name, and consult elders or community custom if you prefer a ritual or astrological confirmation.