10 baby boy names that mean ‘blessed’

Why choose a name that means “blessed”?

In many Hindu families a name is more than a label; it expresses a hope or a vow for the child’s life. Words such as āśīrvāda — blessing — and anugraha — divine grace — appear across scriptures, temple traditions and devotional literature. Different schools (Śaiva, Vaiṣṇava, Śākta, Smārta) may emphasise particular forms of blessing — a deity’s favour, ritual auspiciousness or good fortune — but the underlying sentiment is shared: to invoke protection, goodness and auspiciousness for the child.

Ten boy names that mean “blessed” (or convey blessing)

Below each name you will find the basic meaning, a short etymology or cultural note, suggested pronunciations and possible pet names. I note where a name is especially common in certain traditions or appears as an epithet in iconography or scripture.

• Ashish (Āśiṣ / Ashīś)

  Meaning: blessing, benediction. Etymology: modern Hindi form derived from Sanskrit āśīrvāda (blessing). Usage: widely used across India; popular in both urban and rural settings. Pronunciation: AH-sheesh. Nickname: Ashu.

• Anugrah / Anugraha

  Meaning: divine grace, favour. Notes: Anugraha is a key theological term — for example, Śaiva and Vaiṣṇava texts speak of a deity’s anugraha as the source of liberation or devotion. It also appears in temple inscriptions as favours granted by kings. Pronunciation: ah‑NOO‑grah / ah‑NOO‑gra‑ha. Nickname: Anu, Grah.

• Prasad (Prasāda)

  Meaning: gracious gift, the blessed offering returned to devotees. Notes: In bhakti traditions, prasāda (offered food or mercy) is both a material and spiritual blessing; the term is commonly used as a male name. Pronunciation: pruh-SAHD. Nickname: Pru, Prasu.

• Varad / Varada

  Meaning: boon‑giver, bestower of blessings. Notes: Seen in iconography as the Varada Mudra (gesture of granting boons) and used as an epithet for deities like Ganesha and some forms of Vishnu and Shiva. Pronunciation: VUH‑rad / VUH‑ra‑da. Nickname: V, Vara.

• Kripa / Kripal

  Meaning: compassion, mercy, grace — often understood as divine blessing. Notes: Kripa is a recurring word in devotional poetry and the epics; it signals a deity’s compassionate favour. Pronunciation: KREE‑pah / KREE‑pal. Nickname: Krip.

• Bhagyavān / Bhagya

  Meaning: fortunate, blessed; bhāgya means fortune or destiny. Notes: Classical Sanskrit and later literature use bhāgya for worldly fortune; Bhagyavān literally means one endowed with good fortune. Pronunciation: BHAH‑gya‑vawn / BHAH‑gya. Nickname: Bhagyu, Van.

• Shubham (Śubham)

  Meaning: auspicious, good, blessed. Notes: The root śubha appears widely in ritual (e.g., “śubha lābha” — auspicious profit). As a name it directly evokes auspiciousness. Pronunciation: SHOO‑bam. Nickname: Shubh, Sham.

• Mangal / Māngala

  Meaning: auspicious, blessed; also the name of the planet Mars in Sanskrit astronomy. Notes: Hymns called Māngala are recited for good beginnings in many traditions. Pronunciation: MUN‑gal / MAAN‑ga‑la. Nickname: Man, Mangu.

• Divyansh / Divya

  Meaning: divine part, pertaining to the divine — often taken to imply being blessed by the divine. Notes: Divya (divine, heavenly) is common in saintly and scriptural contexts; Divyansh is a modern compound used to suggest a child is a “portion of the divine.” Pronunciation: DIV‑yansh / DIV‑ya. Nickname: Div, Vansh.

• Anand / Ananda

  Meaning: bliss, joy — sometimes understood as the blessed state of being. Notes: While not literally “blessing,” traditional texts describe spiritual bliss (ānanda) as the outcome of divine grace; hence the name carries a blessed connotation. Pronunciation: uh‑NUND / uh‑NAN‑da. Nickname: Andy, Anu.

How to choose — respectful practical tips

Names carry religious and social meanings. A few points to keep in mind:

• Confirm exact spelling and pronunciation with elders; regional pronunciations (Hindi, Marathi, Tamil, Bengali, Telugu) can vary and affect how a Sanskrit word is spoken.
• Check how a name appears in family and community contexts (some families prefer names tied to particular gods or gotra traditions).
• If you value religious resonance, ask which deity or text uses a given word as an epithet — for instance, Varada appears in iconography, Anugraha in devotional literature, Prasada in temple practice.
• Consider nicknames and initials for everyday use to avoid unintended abbreviations.

Closing note on meanings and traditions

Words like āśīrvāda, anugraha and prasāda are rich with interpretive traditions: commentators in different schools sometimes emphasise ritual blessing, devotional grace or ethical good fortune. The names above reflect that range. If a family wants a name grounded in a particular scripture or lineage, consult elders, priests or community scholars; if the name is chosen for its universal wish — that the child be blessed — these options offer both classical roots and everyday warmth.