10 baby girl names that mean ‘princess’
Introduction: what “princess” can mean in Sanskrit and Indian usage
In many Indian languages the English word “princess” maps to a few different Sanskrit roots — words for a king’s daughter, for a young noblewoman, or for a royal lady or queen. Different schools and regions may prefer different terms and associations. Below are ten girl names that either literally mean “king’s daughter/princess” or carry a close royal sense in Sanskrit and modern Indian usage. For clarity I give the Sanskrit root or compound, a simple gloss on first use (for example, kumārī — “young girl/virgin”), pronunciation notes, and a short cultural or scriptural note where relevant.
Ten names that mean—or suggest—“princess”
-
Rajkumari (rāja + kumārī) — Pronunciation: RAHJ-koo-mah-ree.
Literal meaning: “king’s daughter.” This is the most direct single-word equivalent of “princess” in Sanskrit/Hindi compounds. Widely used across India as both a formal title and a given name; in modern usage it can be a straightforward, traditional choice.
-
Rājaputri / Rajputri (rāja + putrī) — Pronunciation: RAH-jah-put-ree.
Literal meaning: “king’s daughter” (putrī = daughter). Common in Sanskrit compounds and classical inscriptions; the form “Rajputri” is used colloquially as a name or epithet meaning daughter of royalty.
-
Rajnandini (rāja + nandinī) — Pronunciation: RAH-jah-nun-DEE-nee.
Literal and poetic senses: “delight of the king” or “one who brings joy to the king,” and by extension a royal daughter or princess. Found in medieval poetry and modern given names. The ending -nandinī often signals a feminine noun denoting joy or beloved.
-
Kumari (kumārī) — Pronunciation: KOO-mah-ree.
Gloss: “young girl” or “unmarried maiden.” In everyday usage kumārī can mean “princess” when used as a title (e.g., “Rajkumari”), and in South Asian religious practice “Kumari” also names the living goddess tradition in Nepal (a prepubescent female regarded as a deity). Note the nuance: the primary lexical meaning is “maiden,” not “princess.”
-
Rāṇī / Rani (rāṇī) — Pronunciation: RAH-nee.
Gloss: “queen” or royal woman. Strictly speaking rāṇī means queen, but in everyday and poetic use it can serve as a name or title for high-born women, and families sometimes choose it when they want a royal-sounding name for a daughter. It is also widely used as an honorific across regions.
-
Yuvrānī / Yuvarani (yuvā + rāṇī) — Pronunciation: YOO-vah-RAH-nee.
Literal sense: “young queen” or “crown princess.” By analogy with yuvārāja (crown prince), yuvarāṇī can mean a princess in line for the throne. Less common as a name but meaningful for families looking for a slightly formal, Sanskrit-derived option.
-
Rājesvarī / Rajeshwari (rāja + ) — Pronunciation: RAH-jay-shwah-ree.
Literal meaning: “sovereign of the kings” or “royal goddess.” Frequently a name of the Goddess (Devi) in Śākta contexts and used across Śaiva/Vaiṣṇava traditions for forms of the Divine Mother. As a given name it conveys sovereignty and royal dignity; many families choose it for its devotional as well as regal associations.
-
Rājasrī / Rajasri (rāja + śrī) — Pronunciation: RAH-jah-shree.
Meaning: “royal splendour” or “one who carries royal fortune.” The element śrī evokes auspiciousness and is strongly associated with Lakṣmī in Vaiṣṇava contexts. This name suggests noble status and auspicious dignity rather than a strict “princess” gloss.
-
Rājavanshī / Rajvanshi (rāja + vaṃśī) — Pronunciation: RAH-jah-vuhn-shee.
Literal meaning: “of the royal lineage.” While not literally “princess,” it signals belonging to a royal house and is chosen to evoke aristocratic or noble ancestry. The feminine use as a given name implies a princess-like family identity.
-
Rajalakshmi (rāja + lakṣmī) — Pronunciation: RAH-jah-LUK-shmee.
Meaning: “royal Lakṣmī” or “royal fortune.” This compound names the goddess of prosperity in a royal register and is often chosen by families who want a devotional name that also sounds regal. It carries strong Vaiṣṇava cultural resonance because of the Lakṣmī association.
Notes on scripture, tradition and usage
Some of these compounds appear in devotional and poetic literature rather than in canonical Vedic lists. For example, names formed with śrī or īśvarī are common in Śākta and Vaiṣṇava contexts as epithets of goddesses; kumārī has a distinctive role in the living goddess tradition of Nepal. Different regions and communities may prefer one formation over another (e.g., Rani is widespread in everyday speech; classical Sanskrit compounds like Rājaputri are more formal).
Pronunciation and variants
- Long vowels: in Sanskrit transliteration ā marks a long “a” (as in Rā-j(a) — RAH). In everyday transliteration families often write “Raj” but pronounce a long vowel.
- Spelling variants: Rajkumari / Rajkumari / Rajkumarī; Rajeshwari / Rajeshri / Rajesvari; Rajputri / Rajaputri. Regional spellings (Hindi, Bengali, Tamil, Marathi) will differ.
Choosing with awareness
When picking a name, consider whether you want a literal “princess” sense (e.g., Rajkumari, Rajputri) or a royal/auspicious feel connected to a deity (e.g., Rajeshwari, Rajalakshmi). Also be mindful of regional pronunciations and family traditions—some names are used as titles or honorifics in families and may carry social history.
Final note: meanings of Sanskrit compounds can be subtle and context-dependent. Where a name appears connected to a goddess or to caste/lineage traditions, different commentators and communities will read it slightly differently. If you plan a formal naming ceremony (nāmakaraṇa) many families consult elders or a priest for an auspicious form and pronunciation.
