10 baby girl names that mean ‘God’s gift’

Choosing a name that means “God’s gift”: approach and context

In Sanskrit and the many Indian vernaculars, the idea of a child as a “gift” or “blessing” from the gods is commonly expressed with words such as dāna (gift), datta (given), prasāda (grace, consecrated gift) and anugraha (divine favour). Different traditions — Śaiva, Vaiṣṇava, Śākta, Smārta — use these terms with slightly different theological emphasis. For example, in Vaiṣṇava circles prasāda often denotes the food or mercy received from a deity; in Śaiva texts commentators speak of anugraha as liberating grace. Below are ten girl names used in India that either literally mean “gift of God” or connote a divine gift or blessing. For each I give the basic etymology, a short cultural note and common variants or pronunciations.

Ten girl names that mean (or suggest) “God’s gift”

1. Prasāda / Prasādā (प्रसादा)

• Meaning: grace, favour, consecrated gift — often the sanctified food or blessing given by a deity.
• Root: prasād — “to be pleased, to grant grace.”
• Notes: In temple practice prasāda is literally the deity’s offering returned to devotees. As a name it directly evokes “a gift/mercy from God.” Pronounced pra-SAA-da.
• Variants: Prasadi, Prasadini (feminine agent form).

2. Anugraha / Anugrahā (अनुग्रह / अनुग्रा)

• Meaning: divine favour, bestowal of grace — a blessing regarded as coming from God or guru.
• Root: anu (toward) + graha (seize, take) → favour/grace.
• Notes: Theological texts in both Śaiva and Vaiṣṇava traditions use anugraha for the saving grace that awakens devotion. As a name it signifies “one who is the result/recipient of divine grace.” Pronounced a-noo-GRAH-ha.

3. Daivika / Daivī / Daivya (दैविका / दैवी)

• Meaning: divine, god-sent, heavenly; often interpreted idiomatically as “gift of the gods” or “divine gift.”
• Root: daiva — of the gods, auspicious.
• Notes: Common in modern Indian naming; it carries a gentle, devotional flavour. Pronounced DAI-vi-ka or DAI-vee.

4. Devadattā (देवदत्ता)

• Meaning: “given by the gods” — deva (god) + datta (given).
• Root: datta is the past participle “given”; many classical names are formed this way.
• Notes: The masculine form Devadatta occurs in Puranic lists; the feminine form Devadattā is grammatically possible and sometimes used. If you prefer a clearly feminine modern form, families often choose Devadita or Devaditā (slightly different endings). Pronounced de-va-DUT-tā. Use with awareness that Devadatta historically is a male name in many texts.

5. Upahita (उपाहिता)

• Meaning: offered, presented — used for an offering or that which has been given.
• Root: upa (near) + hita (placed) — “placed near/offered.”
• Notes: Poetic and uncommon as a modern name; implies “one who is offered” or “a presented gift.” Pronounced oo-pa-HEE-ta.

6. Varada (वरदा)

• Meaning: “she who grants boons”; literally “boon-giver” (vara = boon, da = giver).
• Root: vara (boon) + da (to give).
• Notes: Varada is often an epithet of goddesses (e.g., forms of Lakshmi or Durga who grant blessings). While it is technically “giver” rather than “given,” many families choose it to invoke the idea of blessings and divine favour. Pronounced va-RAH-da.

7. Bhagyashree / Bhagyashri (भाग्यश्री)

• Meaning: “fortunate” or “one endowed with auspiciousness” — literally “fortune + grace.”
• Root: bhagya (fortune) + śrī (prosperity, auspiciousness).
• Notes: Common in Marathi, Hindi and other languages; suggests that the child is a blessing or auspicious gift. Pronounced BHA-gyush-ree.

8. Prasadini (प्रसादिनी)

• Meaning: feminine agent of prasāda — “she who is grace” or “she who bestows/receives grace.”
• Root: prasāda + feminine suffix -ini.
• Notes: Slightly literary; emphasizes the sacredness of the gift. Pronounced pra-SA-di-nee.

9. Danika / Dānika (दानिका)

• Meaning: in Sanskrit-derived usage can be read as “giver” or connected to dāna (gift, donation); in modern India it is used to imply generosity or ‘giftedness’.
• Root: dāna (gift) → dānika as related form.
• Notes: This name crosses cultural lines — in India it is commonly taken to mean “one associated with gifts/blessings.” Pronounced DAH-ni-ka. (Be aware Danika also has non-Indic origins in other languages; meanings differ.)

10. Theodora / Dorothy (Greek origin, used in India)

• Meaning: both mean “gift of God” — Theodora (Greek theos + dōron), Dorothy is the Greek-derived English equivalent.
• Notes: These are not Sanskrit names but are used by some Indian Christian and secular families and are transparent in meaning: “God’s gift.” If you prefer an explicitly pan-Indic option, consider its Sanskrit-style equivalents above. Pronunciations: THEE-o-do-ra / DOR-oth-ee.

Practical notes for parents

• Meaning vs. nuance: Some names literally mean “given by the gods” (e.g., Devadattā) while others connote a blessing or divinely-sent quality (e.g., Daivika, Bhagyashree). Choose based on whether you prefer literal etymology or devotional tone.
• Scriptural and regional usage: Terms like prasāda and anugraha appear in many scriptures and devotional works; local pronunciations and spellings vary by language (Hindi, Marathi, Tamil, Bengali, Kannada, Telugu, Malayalam etc.).
• Gendered forms: Some classical names (e.g., Devadatta) are historically masculine; feminine forms are formed by standard Sanskrit endings but regional acceptance differs. If in doubt, check local usage or consult a priest, family elder or community register.
• Ceremony: In Hindu practice the naming ceremony (nāmakaraṇa) often follows family or astrological traditions; many families combine meaning, sound, and tradition when deciding a name.

All translations and cultural notes above are offered with respect for diversity of interpretation across Hindu traditions. If you like, I can narrow these ten to a smaller list with suggested middle names, short forms, and how they sound in regional pronunciations (Hindi, Bengali, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Marathi), or create a printable list for a nāmakaraṇa invitation.