Illustration: MomJunction Design Team
Jain baby names are elegant yet uncommon, although they are embodied in the philosophy of Jainism. Read on to know why these names can be your best pick. Parents want the best for their children, starting with a perfect name. A name is a lot more than an identity tag. It also gives cues to their region, religion, social background, and country. This is the main reason Indian parents take their culture and language into consideration while naming their children. In India, different sects and religions have specific naming conventions and traditions, which also holds in the case of Jains. But one thing is common in almost all the communities — the Namkaran ceremony. In Jainism, there are sixteen samskaras or ceremonies that every householder must partake in to be considered a true Jain. One of these is the naming ritual. Traditionally, the Namkaran is performed a few days or even weeks after the baby's birth. But strictly speaking, the Jain naming ceremony is held on the twelfth day after the child’s birth (1). Just like all major Indian religions, even Jains use traditional methods, such as astrology, while picking the name for their children. They even refer to Jain Ramayana for choosing a name for their bundle of joy. Jain baby names hold spiritual importance and often have profound and positive meanings. These names are inspired by the holy scriptures, historical figures, mythology, and Jain philosophy. They evoke the essence of virtues like truth, compassion, and non-violence. For instance, Bramhila is a common Jain female name, a title for the goddess Saraswati who represents wisdom, knowledge, and music. Similarly, Samkit, a Jain male name, stands for self-realization and satisfaction. If you want to know more about some of the most popular Jain baby names, take a look at our list below. You will likely find a gem or more for your child.
| Name | Gender | Meaning | |
|---|---|---|---|
 Samvar |  |  Boy | One who is content and satisfied |
| Sanin | |  Unisex | Bright; Radiant |
| Sanmati | | Boy | The name of Bhagwan Mahavir; Noble |
| Sareth | | Unisex | Prince of charm |
| Sativa | | Unisex | Cultivated |
| Sauron | | Boy | The abhorred; The hateful |
| Savage | | Unisex | Wild; Fierce; Uncontrolled; Uncivilized |
| Savee | | Unisex | Beloved |
| Savira | | Unisex | Abundance |
| Saydi | | Unisex | Fortunate; Blessed |
| Sei | | Unisex | victory, achievement, successful |
| Selka | | Unisex | Grey battle |
| Selkie | | Unisex | Gray seal; Shape-shifting creature |
| Selphie | |  Girl | Bubbly; Cheerful; Joyful |
| Senai | | Unisex | Gift from God |
| Sephie | | Unisex | Wisdom; Wise |
| Sephy | | Unisex | Bringer of destruction |
| Sequoyah | | Unisex | Sparrow |
| Seras | | Unisex | Beloved; Precious |
| Seryna | | Girl | Serene; Calm |
| Setti | | Unisex | Seven |
| Sevy | | Unisex | Exalted; Revered |
| Shadow | | Unisex | Shadow; A surname |
| Shael | | Unisex | Pure; Strong; Inspirational |
| Shaiden | | Unisex | Peaceful warrior |
| Shain | | Boy | Influential, charismatic, and determined |
| Shalia | | Unisex | Graceful; Compassionate; Serene |
| Shandel | | Unisex | Beautiful; Candle |
| Shanel | | Unisex | A variant of Chanel; Pipe; Channel |
| Shantikumar | | Boy | Lord of peace |
| Shantilal | | Boy | One who is peaceful |
| Shantiprasad | | Boy | Lord of peace |
| Share | | Unisex | German surname |
| Shatichandra | | Boy | Lord of peace |
| Shawnee | | Unisex | Indigenous, Native American |
| Shianna | | Girl | Gift of God |
| Shital | | Girl | One who is cool and calm; Cold |
| Shubhali | | Girl | One who is capable of being the best friend. |
| Siani | | Unisex | God's gracious gift |
| Sianne | | Girl | God is gracious |
| Sias | | Unisex | God supports |
| Sidhesh | | Boy | Lord of the blessed |
| Sier | | Unisex | Strength; Independence; Determination |
| Silo | | Unisex | Strong, silent, secure |
| Skyra | | Girl | Enchanting; Celestial; Ethereal |
| Solaire | | Unisex | Sunshine or Divine sunlight |
| Soline | | Girl | Brightness; Cheerfulness; Energy |
| Solo | | Unisex | Single; Alone; Done by one person |
| Sonic | | Boy | Related to sound or speed; Fast-paced |
| Sonni | | Unisex | The son of the Sun |
| Sorine | | Unisex | A feminine form of Soren |
| Sorrel | | Unisex | reddish-brown color |
| Soryn | | Unisex | Sun |
| Srusti | | Girl | Creation |
| Stitch | | Unisex | A loop of thread made in sewing or a method of joining things together |
| Subham | | Boy | One who is a good person |
| Sudharma | | Boy | The name of a Gandhar of Bhagwan Mahavir; Good law |
| Suhash | | Boy | One with a sweet smile; Sweet smiled |
| Sui | | Unisex | Elegant, gentle, peaceful |
| Sulien | | Unisex | Sun born |
| Sumangala | | Girl | The one who makes everything good |
| Sumatikumar | | Boy | A variation of Sumatinath, the name of the 5th Tirthankara |
| Sumer | | Boy | Gold mountain; Born in the summer month |
| Supal | | Boy | Precious time; The importance of time |
| Suparshwa | | Boy | A seventh teerthankar's name |
| Surali | | Girl | Goddess |
| Sushali | | Girl | One who carries herself with good conduct |
| Suta | | Girl | Begotten |
| Suvesh | | Boy | One who is extremely handsome and good looking |
| Suvidha | | Girl | Facility or convenience |
| Suvrat | | Boy | One who is strict in religious vows; The name of a Jain god |
| Svati | | Girl | The star Arcturus |
| Swae | | Unisex | Brilliant and bright |
| Syden | | Unisex | From the south |
| Sylphrena | | Unisex | Mythological air spirit; Fairy |
| Sylva | | Unisex | Forest; Woods |
| Syna | | Unisex | together or united, God is gracious |
| Syndel | | Unisex | Light; Candle |
| Sza | | Unisex | Acronym derived from the supreme alphabet |
| Tabata | | Unisex | Strength and perseverance |
| Tabby | | Unisex | Gazelle |
| Tade | | Unisex | Heart; Courageous heart |
| Taelyn | | Unisex | A sharp claw |
| Tahlee | | Boy | Exquisite; Harmonious |
| Tahni | | Girl | Beautiful; Graceful |
| Taino | | Unisex | Native people of the Caribbean; Good; Noble |
| Takshil | | Boy | Person with a strong character |
| Talent | | Unisex | Natural ability; Gift |
| Talin | | Boy | Calming wind |
| Tallie | | Unisex | Leaping water; Flourishing; Blooming |
| Tamayo | | Unisex | Generation jewel |
| Tauriel | | Boy | Forest daughter |
| Tejal | | Girl | Lustrous |
| Tell | | Unisex | Bold and honest |
| Telvin | | Unisex | Energetic; Charismatic; Leader |
| Teslyn | | Unisex | Unique; Strong; Feminine |
| Thaden | | Unisex | Strong; Courageous; Leader |
| Thena | | Girl | Goddess-like, intelligent, wise |
| Theory | | Unisex | Idea; Speculation |
| Thorunn | | Girl | Thor's love; Loved by Thor |
Jain baby names are deeply rooted in the Jain religion and culture. These names are often derived from ancestral figures and holy texts. Although these names are primarily traditional, they have significant meanings and origins, appealing to a vast crowd. These names usually stand for tranquility, compassion, and spirituality. If you are looking for a name that is out of the ordinary yet holds a profound history and honors your roots, Jain names are the one for you.
Infographic: Lively Jainism Baby Names With Meanings
Jainism baby names are elegant and are a reflection of the core values and faith. These names are often inspired by the holy scriptures and historical figures. Jainism baby names reflect virtues like humility, simplicity, and spirituality. Check out this infographic for some radiant Jainism baby names for your little angel.
Illustration: Momjunction Design Team
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How can parents balance traditional Jainism naming customs with modern naming trends?
Parents can balance traditional Jainism naming customs with modern naming trends by considering names that fulfill a meaningful connection to Jain principles while simultaneously giving importance to contemporary preferences. Some examples include Deshna (gift), Charmi (lovely), and Bhranti (daydream).
2. What are some Jain baby names with a deeply spiritual or philosophical meaning?
Some Jainism baby names with spiritual or philosophical meanings include Aaushi, meaning ‘one who is careful, knowledgeable and is blessed with a long life,’ Darshika and Dhimant, meaning ‘one who is intelligent and wise,’ and Samkit, meaning ‘one who possesses the right knowledge’ or ‘one possessing self-realization.’
3. What are some factors parents should consider when choosing a Jain baby name?
Some factors that parents should consider when choosing a Jain baby name include the religious significance of the name. This may be related to Jain mythology, scriptures, saints or Tirthankaras who were the enlightened people. The chosen name should also follow the Jain philosophy and principles, such as non-violence (ahimsa), truthfulness (satya), non-stealing (acharya), celibacy (brahmacharya), and non-possessiveness (aparigraha). The parents may also take into account more personal factors, such as family traditions and ancestry. The naming ceremony is conducted between the 10th and 13th day after birth and this ceremony is performed by the paternal aunt or an appropriate female relative of the child.
References
- K. L. Chanchreek & Dr. Mahesh K. Jain; (2005); Encyclopedia of Jain Religion Volume 3.
https://www.jainfoundation.in/JAINLIBRARY/books/encyclopedia_of_jain_religion_part_03_035341_hr.pdf
