131 Kannada Baby Names With Meanings
The list of Dravidian names can transport you to your ancestral world.
The gift of a name is a gift for life, and as parents, you want your child’s name to be unique, meaningful, and perfect. A Kannada baby name would offer you just what you need. Kannada is a Dravidian language spoken by nearly 50 million people in Karnataka, India. It is recognized as one of the country's 22 scheduled languages. The language is more than 2000 years old, finding mention even in the exploits of Alexander the Great (1). Over time, three influences have shaped the language: Pāṇini's grammar, non-Pāṇinian schools of Sanskrit grammar, and Prakrit grammar. These sources are reflected in Kannada vocabulary, phonetics, grammar, morphology, and syntax. Kannada names contain four or three main parts, depending on the region. The first name could be anything parents like, but it is preferred that the initial of the name should be the first letter of their ancestor’s village name or the baby’s native place. In Southern Karnataka, it is customary to use the father’s name as the baby’s second name. The third name of the baby is usually regarded as their given name. These names are derived from human virtues, names of gods, and elements of nature. Kannada surnames are handed down from generation to generation. In North Karnataka, surnames are derived from various sources, such as places, temples, types of people, professions, and clothing, to name a few. They can also be based on houses, such as Doddamani, meaning ‘big house,’ and Hadimani, ‘house next to the road.’ Surnames also indicate the type of community and caste an individual belongs to. Although these caste names are given only to people of higher castes, people who belong to South Karnataka rarely use caste names. Some parents even include the child’s birthplace in the name. Married women often take their husband’s given name as their surname. Below, we have compiled a collection of some modern, traditional, and popular Kannada baby names. Have a look to find the perfect name for your little one!
Name | Gender | Meaning | |
---|---|---|---|
Aabharana | Girl | Valuables; Jewels; Ornaments; The person who brings prosperity, happiness, and honor | |
Aadeshwar | Boy | God; The one who is in a high position of authority | |
Aagar | Boy | A person having an interest in Music; Excelling in music | |
Aagarna | Girl | A person having natural or born abilities in music | |
Aashirya | Girl | Creative and strong personality from the land of God | |
Aasin | Girl | Driver; Calling himself, A wheel-maker, Lucky in life | |
Aavi | Boy | Smoke | |
Abezag | Boy | The one is clean; Pure and blessed | |
Akalapathi | Boy | Lord Shiva; A name denoting flexibility and intellect | |
Akalendra | Boy | Lord Shiva; A potential worker destined to express wonderful organizational skill | |
Akalesvara | Boy | Lord Shiva; Strength gained through experience, success after test and trials | |
Akanda | Boy | Easygoing Gentleman | |
Akarya | Boy | Leadership | |
Gandhika | Boy | Sweet and nice smell | |
Impana | Unisex | Light of knowledge; Illumination | |
Natkunam | Boy | Morally upright person | |
Nooreh | Unisex | Enlightenment, radiance, beauty | |
Prakruthi | Girl | Weather and nature | |
Pranaam | Boy | Namaskara | |
Prasiddhi | Boy | One of many accomplishments and a great fame | |
Pratapavat | Boy | A person who is known for his valor | |
Prathish | Unisex | One who was born to rule due to his or her good behavior and beauty | |
Praver | Boy | A person who in charge of things | |
Prinit | Boy | A very pleased and gratified person | |
Pudhumai | Boy | One with an innovative and creative mind | |
Pujesh | Boy | A worshipped object | |
Puli | Boy | One who is like a tiger | |
Purnayan | Boy | One who is born full of his parents traits | |
Purvanshu | Boy | A Kannada male name | |
Purvith | Boy | A Kannada male name | |
Rhyah | Girl | A woman who is the Queen of the sun | |
Ruchiparv | Boy | He who is filled with beauty | |
Rudhir | Boy | Rudra | |
Rupalekha | Girl | Vedic hymn | |
Rupamanjari | Girl | Made of silver | |
Rupina | Girl | A beautiful woman | |
Rushik | Boy | Lord of earth | |
Rushikulya | Girl | Sprout of beauty | |
Rusyendra | Boy | Name of an ascetic | |
Rutanshi | Girl | Truth | |
Ruthvik | Boy | Seasonal sacrificer | |
Ruthvika | Girl | Speech | |
Rutwaak | Boy | A sage | |
Suvrita | Girl | A well behaved woman | |
Suvyuha | Girl | An angel; Pure as an angel | |
Suyashas | Boy | Glorious fame | |
Svaramaya | Boy | He who is good looking | |
Svojas | Boy | He who is very strong and powerful | |
Swabhiram | Boy | He who is very delightful | |
Swabhu | Boy | Self born | |
Swapnasundari | Girl | A woman of dreams | |
Swapnika | Girl | Dreams | |
Swardhuni | Girl | River of heaven | |
Swarnalata | Girl | Lustrous | |
Swarnalaxmi | Girl | A name of Goddess Parvati | |
Swarnamala | Girl | Garland of gold | |
Swarnaprabha | Girl | Golden light | |
Swetambari | Girl | An angel dressed in white | |
Swrnav | Boy | Golden | |
Taamraparnee | Girl | Copper leaves | |
Thrishika | Girl | Trident | |
Thrithika | Girl | Meeting of the three goddesses | |
Tivri | Girl | Auspicious | |
Tokini | Girl | A bird | |
Trinesha | Girl | Flower opening on the third day | |
Turvash | Boy | Overpowering; Victorious | |
Turviti | Boy | Superior and overpowering | |
Tushnimsara | Girl | Fine drops of water | |
Tushtiman | Boy | Satisfied | |
Tuviksh | Boy | Lord Indra's bow; Powerful | |
Tuvishtam | Boy | Creator of living being, the heavenly builder | |
Tvashta | Boy | He who is the strongest | |
Tvesin | Girl | She who is impetuous | |
Udakanjali | Girl | Lustrous | |
Udantika | Girl | Satisfaction | |
Upshobhin | Boy | He who is brilliant and bright | |
Urjamedh | Boy | He who is strong and intelligent | |
Uruthiran | Boy | The name of Lord Shiva | |
Usakirana | Boy | The first light of dawn | |
Ushadevi | Girl | Goddess of morning; Goddess of dawn | |
Usharvi | Girl | Raga in the morning | |
Ushashi | Girl | Morning | |
Uttaragita | Girl | Enthusiasm; Zeal | |
Uttarika | Girl | Crossing river | |
Vasantamalika | Boy | Garland of spring | |
Veeramani | Boy | He who is brave and confident | |
Vishweswari | Girl | Subject | |
Vitaka | Girl | World | |
Vividha | Girl | Strange | |
Vivika | Girl | Alive; War fortress | |
Vivitsa | Girl | Desire of knowledge | |
Viyoginee | Girl | Pathway | |
Vridhi | Girl | Increase | |
Vrika | Girl | The moon | |
Vyombha | Boy | Like heaven | |
Vyusta | Boy | Dawn; Daybreak | |
Vyusti | Girl | The first gleam of dawn | |
Yaminichandra | Boy | A name of Lord Vishnu | |
Yatharth | Boy | Complete truth | |
Yatheesh | Boy | Leader of the devoted | |
Selecting a baby name is not an easy task. Choosing a Kannada baby name provides you and your child a beautiful way to bond with Karnataka's rich heritage and culture. The naming system, which includes using the ancestor’s village and father’s names, instills a sense of family pride and belonging in the child. Even more interesting is the sources of surnames in Karnataka, which can be anything from clothes, houses, trades, and even temples. By exploring this collection, you can embrace the beauty and diversity of Kannada names.
Infographic: Magnificent Kannada Baby Names With Meanings
Are you looking for a name for your child from one of India’s designated classical languages? Kannada baby names are rich in meaning and exude a distinctive charm. From being inspired by gods and goddesses to depicting one’s region and culture, these names intertwine your baby’s identity with the culture. The infographic below presents some of the finest Kannada baby names with their meanings.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What makes Kannada baby names unique?
Kannada, a Dravidian language predominantly spoken in Karnataka, a southern state of India, showcases its uniqueness through a vibrant vocabulary and a captivating sound system, bestowing Kannada names with an enchanting and harmonious allure. Distinguished by their pronunciation, phonetics, and distinct syllable structure, Kannada names are set apart from names found in other languages (2).
2. What are the traditional values associated with Kannada Baby Names?
Kannada names beautifully encapsulate regional identity and cultural pride, embracing the rich legacy of family and ancestry. With a belief in bestowing good fortune and protection upon children, names like Lakshmi (sign), Aruna (dawn), Darshan (understanding), and Dipti (brightness) shine brightly as cherished favorites among Kannadigaru, the people of Karnataka.
References
- Kannada.
https://asianstudies.cornell.edu/research/kannada - Antiquity of Kannada language.
https://karnatakaitihasaacademy.org/evolution-of-kannada-script/
Look Up For Many More Names
Do you have a name in mind and want to know more about it? Or want to find names belonging to a particular origin, religion, or having a specific meaning? Use our search tool below to explore more baby names with different combinations.