132 Kannada Baby Names That Reflect Heritage

The list of Dravidian names can transport you to your ancestral world.

Written by Kavita Kankani, MBA, BEd Specialty: Child education & activitiesExperience: 7 years

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Last Updated on Jul 24, 2024

Illustration: MomJunction Design Team

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!

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Name	Gender	Meaning
Yoshi	Boy	Good luck
Ruthvik	Boy	Seasonal sacrificer
Vivika	Girl	Alive; War fortress
Svojas	Boy	He who is very strong and powerful
Aavi	Boy	Smoke
Aashirya	Girl	Creative and strong personality from the land of God
Ruthvika	Girl	Speech
Trinesha	Girl	Flower opening on the third day
Nooreh	Unisex	Enlightenment, radiance, beauty
Yukti	Girl	Trick or solution

Tisya	Girl	An auspicious star from the sky
Rhyah	Girl	A woman who is the Queen of the sun
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
Aasin	Girl	Driver; Calling himself, A wheel-maker, Lucky in life
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
Natkunam	Boy	Morally upright person
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
Ruchiparv	Boy	He who is filled with beauty
Rudhir	Boy	Rudra

Rupalekha	Girl	Vedic hymn
Rupamanjari	Girl	Made of silver
Rushik	Boy	Lord of earth
Rushikulya	Girl	Sprout of beauty
Rusyendra	Boy	Name of an ascetic
Rutanshi	Girl	Truth
Rutwaak	Boy	A sage
Suvrita	Girl	A well behaved woman
Rupina	Girl	A beautiful woman
Suvyuha	Girl	An angel; Pure as an angel

Suyashas	Boy	Glorious fame
Svaramaya	Boy	He who is good looking
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
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
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

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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.

charismatic kannada names for your little one (infographic)

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

MomJunction's articles are written after analyzing the research works of expert authors and institutions. Our references consist of resources established by authorities in their respective fields. You can learn more about the authenticity of the information we present in our editorial policy.

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.