58 Indonesian Boy Names From The Island Country

Indonesia is the land of a thousand islands and is the world’s largest archipelagic state. Indonesian boy names are inspired by the country’s nature, culture, religion, as well as different personality traits. Indonesia is a melting pot of different cultures from the Indian subcontinent, Europe, the Middle East, mainland China, Melanesian, and Austronesian people. This intermingling of various groups has a significant influence on the cultural and linguistic makeup of one of the largest countries in Southeast Asia. With over 1300 ethnic groups, Indonesia is considered a multilingual, multicultural, and multiethnic country. Indonesian naming practices or traditions are different from the Western way where the first name is followed by a family name or surname. In Indonesia, a single name is identified as the full name of an individual (1). If parents choose to add additional names like regional, patronymics, matronymics, family, or clan names, they may do so, but they hold no relevance officially. Indonesian names are distinct because even without a family name, the type of name a person holds is indicative of the location and culture he or she belongs to. For example, Indonesian names that begin with ‘Su’ or end with ‘o’ are identified as Javanese names. Javanese people tend to have one-word names. When an individual in Indonesia has a multi-word name, such as Yovan Gunardio Darmawan, all three names are considered to be their single personal name (1). Balinese names are differentiated based on their naming system which follows a birth order. Firstborn babies are given the name Wayan and the second is called Made, and so on. Balinese names can also identify a person’s caste. People who come from the Batak or North Sumatran cultures bear the clan names of Sitompul and Rajagukguk. If you’re keen to find an Indonesian name for your baby, go through this carefully curated list and explore the rich cultural and linguistic heritage of the country.

NameGenderMeaning
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Henry
Baby Boy Sign Boy Home ruler
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David
Baby Boy Sign Boy Beloved
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Kevin
Baby Boy Sign Boy Handsome by birth; Gentle
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Ahmad
Baby Boy Sign Boy Much praised; Name of prophet Muhammad
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Stanley
Baby Boy Sign Boy Stony woodland or clearing
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Gus
Baby Boy Sign Boy Exalted; Majestic; Great; Venerable
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Arif
Baby Boy Sign Boy Knowing; Knowledgeable; Wise; Intelligent; Sage
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Farrell
Baby Boy Sign Boy Man of courage
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Perdana
Baby Boy Sign Boy The First
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Ahmadzulkifli
Baby Boy Sign Boy An Indonesian voice actor
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Ajij
Baby Boy Sign Boy Powerful; Respected; Beloved; A variant of Aziz
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Arief
Baby Boy Sign Boy One who is clever and intelligent
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Buana
Baby Boy Sign Boy A whole world
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Budi
Baby Boy Sign Boy To have reason, mind or a character
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Guss
Baby Boy Sign Boy Coolest kid you have ever met
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Kabul
Baby Boy Sign Boy Fulfilled wish or prayer
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Kaliappa
Baby Boy Sign Boy Bud
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Kulon
Baby Boy Sign Boy Kulon means the West
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Pramana
Baby Boy Sign Boy To be full of wisdom and knowledge
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Pratam
Baby Boy Sign Boy A person who belongs to the highest; First status
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Putra
Baby Boy Sign Boy To be someone's son
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Rimbo
Baby Boy Sign Boy One who is like a jungle
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Soleh
Baby Boy Sign Boy A person who is deeply religious
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Abyasa
Baby Boy Sign Boy Clever
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Adhiarja
Baby Boy Sign Boy Safety
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Adika
Baby Boy Sign Boy The first child of the second husband
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Agung
Baby Boy Sign Boy Grand or great
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Bagaskoro
Baby Boy Sign Boy Sun rays
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Bagus
Baby Boy Sign Boy Handsome; Excellent
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Bakti
Baby Boy Sign Boy An obedient boy
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Banyu
Baby Boy Sign Boy Water
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Baskoro
Baby Boy Sign Boy Midday sun
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Basuki
Baby Boy Sign Boy To flourish
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Batara
Baby Boy Sign Boy God
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Berkah
Baby Boy Sign Boy God's gift
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Cahyono
Baby Boy Sign Boy Light
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Chahaya
Baby Boy Sign Boy Light
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Cipta
Baby Boy Sign Boy To create
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Darma
Baby Boy Sign Boy Good deed or duty
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Dumadi
Baby Boy Sign Boy Becoming
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Eas
Baby Boy Sign Boy Gold
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Elang
Baby Boy Sign Boy Falcon
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Galang
Baby Boy Sign Boy To assemble
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Gesang
Baby Boy Sign Boy Life or alive
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Gunadi
Baby Boy Sign Boy Something meaningful
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Intan
Baby Boy Sign Boy Diamond
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Ismaya
Baby Boy Sign Boy God-like; Wise
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Joyo
Baby Boy Sign Boy Victorious
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Kadek
Baby Boy Sign Boy Younger sibling; Second child
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Kersen
Baby Boy Sign Boy Cherry in Indonesian language
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Panuta
Baby Boy Sign Boy Good example or one who leads by example.
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Ramelan
Baby Boy Sign Boy A prophecy
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Santoso
Baby Boy Sign Boy Peaceful
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Setiawan
Baby Boy Sign Boy Faithful
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Vikal
Baby Boy Sign Boy Twilight; Evening or close of the day
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Farel
Baby Boy Sign Boy Heroic
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Angga
Baby Boy Sign Boy Tooth; Antlers
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Fadhlan
Baby Boy Sign Boy A gift from God

These Indonesian boy names are reflective of the rich tapestry of the country’s history and diversity. With thousands of islands and ethnic groups, these names take inspiration from the land, culture, religion, and language. Indonesian names stand out for their rare naming tradition, that is the absence of middle names or family names, but distinctive enough to identify a person’s ethnicity based on their single name. Each name is magical and carries the essence of Indonesia’s heritage and legacy. So zero in on names that resonate with you and pick the best one for your baby.

Infographic: Fantastic Indonesian Baby Boy Names With Meanings

Indonesian baby names reflect the diverse cultural and linguistic influences of the various ethnic groups in the country. With a unique and distinctive naming tradition, Indonesian names evoke a person’s native region or clan. Explore the beauty of Indonesian names in this infographic to find the one that suits your little boy the best.

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Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the most common male name in Indonesia?

One of the most common male names in Indonesia is Muhammad. However, boys with the name are not usually called Muhammad, and Ahmad can be a popular diminutive of the name. Putra is another popular name that means ‘to be someone’s son.’ While Eka is considered a unisex name, it is also one of the most widely used Indonesian names as it signifies the firstborn.

2. Which boy names mean bright in Indonesian?

Some baby boy names that mean bright or have similar connotations like light are Cahya, Cahyono, Cahaya, and Menatari. A few other names that are related to the bright light of the sun are Bagaskoro and Baskoro.

3. What are some Indonesian baby boy names that mean love?

Ajij, a variant of Aziz, is one such name which carries the connotation of love. The name Ajij means ‘beloved.’

4. What are some Indonesian baby boy names that have a special significance or spiritual meaning?

Batara is a masculine Indonesian name that means God and possesses spiritual significance because Batara Guru is the name of the Supreme god in Indonesian Hinduism. Berkah and Fadhlan also have special significance since they both mean ‘God’s gift,’ or a ‘gift from god.’ Ismaya is another name with spiritual connotations; it means someone who is God-like or wise.

References

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  1. Indonesian Culture.
    https://culturalatlas.sbs.com.au/indonesian-culture/indonesian-culture-naming
Shikha is a writer-turned-editor at MomJunction, with over seven years of experience in the field of content. Having done a certification in Relationship Coaching, her core interest lies in writing articles that guide couples through their courtship to marriage and parenthood.

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