A beginner’s guide to Indian names
By: Kesh Anand
Tags: India, Society, Culture, Hinduism, World

To the unacquainted, Indian names can seem daunting. They can be long — particularly South Indian ones, and often some sort of incomprehensible tongue twister.

The keen observer will, however, note some patterns amongst them. Certain syllables and words re-appear over and over again in different permutations and combinations.

This post examines some of the more common ones (that also seem overwhelming) thereby helping demystify the garble — giving you an appreciation of the beauty they contain

Here are ~12 sounds you see appearing over and over again:

Raj . This has got to be the most common Indian name in general. On its own, it simply means “King”, but when combined with other syllables, it means “King of”. Examples include Nagaraj, Rajendra, and Rajesh

. This has got to be the most common Indian name in general. On its own, it simply means “King”, but when combined with other syllables, it means “King of”. Examples include Nagaraj, Rajendra, and Rajesh Kumar . Second only to Raj, Kumar means prince (and Kumari being the feminine). Unsurprising that these two feature so prominently amongst baby names.

. Second only to Raj, Kumar means prince (and Kumari being the feminine). Unsurprising that these two feature so prominently amongst baby names. Esh . Is perhaps the most common sound buried amongst Indian names, it means “Lord”. Rajesh (lord of kings), Rakesh (lord of the night), Ramesh (Lord Ram — with Ram himself being a god), Dinesh (lord of the day/sun), Ganesh (lord of the masses), Mahesh (great lord), Mukesh (lord over a demon named Muka), and so on

. Is perhaps the most common sound buried amongst Indian names, it means “Lord”. Rajesh (lord of kings), Rakesh (lord of the night), Ramesh (Lord Ram — with Ram himself being a god), Dinesh (lord of the day/sun), Ganesh (lord of the masses), Mahesh (great lord), Mukesh (lord over a demon named Muka), and so on Deep . It refers to a lamp — which is a key item used in rituals but is also a symbol of light and knowledge (over darkness and ignorance). Names containing this include Sandeep (lamp of the day), Deepak or Deepa (lamp), Mandeep (lamp of the mind), and Navdeep (new light)

. It refers to a lamp — which is a key item used in rituals but is also a symbol of light and knowledge (over darkness and ignorance). Names containing this include Sandeep (lamp of the day), Deepak or Deepa (lamp), Mandeep (lamp of the mind), and Navdeep (new light) Jaya . It means “victory”. You often see it embedded in names such as Sanjay, Vijay, Jayakumar, or Jayasurya

. It means “victory”. You often see it embedded in names such as Sanjay, Vijay, Jayakumar, or Jayasurya Ratnam . It means jewel or ruby. I’ve seen it embedded in Rajaratnam, Selvaratnam, Sivaratnam, and many others

. It means jewel or ruby. I’ve seen it embedded in Rajaratnam, Selvaratnam, Sivaratnam, and many others Nathan. Meaning “controller”, you see it in names like Viswanathan, and Ramanathan

Meaning “controller”, you see it in names like Viswanathan, and Ramanathan Endra . Meaning “chief”, you see it in names like Rajendra, Mahendra, Surendra, and so on

. Meaning “chief”, you see it in names like Rajendra, Mahendra, Surendra, and so on Bala . Meaning “young”, you see it in Balakrishna, Balasubramanium, and many others

. Meaning “young”, you see it in Balakrishna, Balasubramanium, and many others Lingam . It’s a common shape/icon linked to the god Shiva (perhaps how a cross might be associated with Jesus). You see it in names like Rajalingam and Sivalingam, and Gopalalingam

. It’s a common shape/icon linked to the god Shiva (perhaps how a cross might be associated with Jesus). You see it in names like Rajalingam and Sivalingam, and Gopalalingam Titles : Anchored in religious practices — terms like Swami (teacher), Guru (also teacher), and Yoga (as in the meditative exercise), are often spliced through many other names.

: Anchored in religious practices — terms like Swami (teacher), Guru (also teacher), and Yoga (as in the meditative exercise), are often spliced through many other names. Deities. Hinduism has no shortage of gods and goddesses; each with several names of their own. It is not uncommon to see their names invoked as part of people’s names. Most notable are names related to Shiva, Krishna, Ram, Lakshmi

Now that you’ve read this primer, the next time you see a name like Rajaswami Balakumar Ramanathan Jayaratnam — you will be able to get past the alphabetical onslaught to appreciate it for the beautiful and empowering name it truly is.

Are there any other key name components one often encounters? Let me know in your comments below.