27 Serene Bhutani Names From The Happiest Place On Earth

Bhutani baby names embody religious blessings and moral values. These names reflect divine intervention, religious teachings, traditional belief systems, toponymic influences, and cross-cultural adaptability. The traditional naming conventions also reflect the Bhutanese ideals of not discriminating based on gender. Thus, they insist that the first of the two given names be unisex. However, a family may choose to give the second as a gender-specific name if it fits their ancestral practices.

Traditionally, the Bhutanese tend to take the newborn to a local Lama or religious leader to name them. These leaders then arrive at an auspicious name through meditation. The name often signifies spiritual concepts of enlightenment, good deeds, strength, wisdom, and prosperity. The Bhutanese also believe in astrology and tend to draw out a horoscope for the child (1). Thus, names such as Lhakpa, Pasang, and Kesang may likely denote the day of birth such as Wednesday or Friday, or how auspicious the period of the baby’s birth is.

Furthermore, Bhutani names are influenced by Tibetan culture and Buddhism, drawing from the names of religious scriptures and items. For instance, Phurba may be from the Tibetian root Phurbu denoting ‘Jupiter’ is also used to refer to the traditional Buddhist dagger. Other names like Chophel, which means ‘flourishing dharma,’ Hemlal, which is the name of Buddha, and Tenpa, which denotes a Buddhist doctrine, are a few other examples. Bhutani names also derive their associations from Sanskrit roots, such as Bidhya from Vidya, which means ‘knowledge,’ indicating cross-cultural influences.

Contemporary Bhutani naming conventions reflect the impact of globalization. Traditionally, the Bhutanese do not have the practice of giving surnames or familial names to their children unless they are families with Nepali roots or of royal lineage. In modern times, however, people have modified their traditional practices due to Western influences. For instance, Bhutanese women may add their patronyms or their husband’s name as last names, while men tend to adopt the name of their place of origin when abroad (2). This new practice reflects the adaptability of the Bhutanese people. Below is a list of several such traditional and contemporary Bhutani baby names and their meanings.

Name		Gender	Meaning
Ngawang		Boy	Powerful speech
Jigme		Boy	Fearless
Norbu		Boy	Jewel
Tika		Girl	Sun maiden; Flower
Palden		Girl	A glorious, serious, and small being
Bidhya		Girl	Knowledge
Choden		Girl	The devout one or religious
Druk		Girl	Thunder dragon
Kesang		Girl	Fabulous period of time
Jampa		Girl	Kindness or benevolence
Phurba		Girl	Buddhist religious dagger used for rituals by Buddhist masters
Mon		Girl	Gateway
Umzey		Girl	Spear of strength
Chogyal		Boy	Righteous ruler
Chophel		Boy	Flourishing dharma
Dhan		Boy	Money
Diwash		Boy	Day
Dorji		Boy	Indomitable
Hemlal		Boy	One of the names of Buddha
Lhakpa		Boy	Mercury; Wednesday
Loday		Boy	Wisdom
Rinchen		Boy	Treasure; Jewel; Gem
Sherab		Boy	Wisdom
Tshewang		Boy	Wisdom; Faith; Freedom
Tenpa		Boy	Buddhist doctrine
Pasang		Boy	Venus or Friday
Ugyen		Boy	To grow

Bhutani baby names encapsulate deep-rooted Buddhist traditions while reflecting the cross-cultural influences on Bhutan. Naming within this culture involves consulting Buddhist monks and constructing horoscopes. Yet, with the changing times, parents must also consider global naming conventions and adapt accordingly. The flexibility of combining unisex and gendered names allows for unique and personal naming choices. Explore the list above to find a Bhutanese name that aligns with your traditional values and beliefs while ensuring your child's name is a meaningful identifier in their modern future.