131 Kannada Baby Names With Meanings

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

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.

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Illustration: Momjunction Design Team

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