151 Nepali Baby Names From The Himalayan Country

Ethnic names that reflect the beauty and serenity of the Himalayan kingdom.

Written by Angela Alex, MA Specialty: Baby NamesExperience: 2 years

Angela is an honors student with a master's degree in Linguistics from The English and Foreign Languages University, Hyderabad. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in History from St. Stephen’s College, Delhi. Her combined interest in history and the science of language has taught her the skills to understand how language and its use have changed over time.

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Edited by Srija Chanda Burman, MA, PG Dip. Specialty: Relationships, Baby NamesExperience: 3 years

Srija holds an MA in English Literature from the University of Calcutta and a PG Diploma in Editing and Publishing from Jadavpur University. Her interest in editing ranges across niches, including academics, human psychology, and child development.

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Fact-checked by Ratika Pai, M.Com Specialty: Love, Marriage and RelationshipsExperience: 6 years

Ratika holds a master's degree in commerce and a post-graduate diploma in communication and journalism from Mumbai University. She has 6 years of experience writing in various fields, such as finance, education, and lifestyle.

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Last Updated on Jul 24, 2024

Illustration: MomJunction Design Team

Nepali baby names are distinguished so that you can guess a lot about the name-bearer including their caste, profession, ethnic group, and place of birth. It is a common practice among Nepalis to use their ethnicity or their caste name as a surname (1). Sherpa and Gurung are both habitational names and ethnic surnames. Surnames such as Pant and Bista indicate that the person is a Brahmin, originally belonging to western Nepal. Names such as Pande, Thapa, and Bhasnet reveal that the individual belongs to the Rana ruling family. Shrestha is a higher-class surname while Kami is the Nepalese equivalent of Smith. Some Nepalese, especially those residing on the rural side, name their children after the day he/she was born. However, it is customary behavior among Hindu Nepalis to have their children named on the 11th day after their birth (1). For example, Dawa indicates the child was born on a Monday while Phurba denotes the child was born on Thursday. Similarly, Nyima indicates that the child was born on Sunday. The Nepalese naming convention is also a lot similar to Indian naming customs. The naming ceremony in Nepalese culture is known as ‘Nwaran,’ where the priest bestows a name upon the child after consulting the birth charts and astrology (1). After the baby is born, his or her horoscope, along with the chosen letter from the Devanagari, is given to the astrologer. The astrologer then has to find a suitable beginning sound from the particular letter according to the child’s horoscope. Some parents do not select any letter, entitling the naming responsibility entirely to the astrologer. Nepali names are commonly derived from Sanskrit and Pali languages and are also sometimes inspired by the beauty of Nepal (1). If you're looking for a unique name for your son or daughter, check out our list below which includes some of the beautiful and traditional Nepali baby boy and girl names with meanings.

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Name	Gender	Meaning
Amir	Boy	Ruler; Prince; Commander
Alina	Girl	Beautiful; Bright
Milan	Boy	Beloved
Alisha	Girl	Noble
Kiran	Boy	Dust; Beam of light
Dhriti	Girl	One who has courage and patience
Krishna	Boy	Dark
Ram	Boy	Pleasing; Charming; All-embracing absolute Brahman; A name to the ultimately formless (advita); An incarnation of Lord Vishnu
Tej	Boy	Bright and radiant
Iniya	Girl	Sweet

Ditya	Girl	Another name of Goddess Durga; Answer to prayers
Dhanvi	Girl	A woman who is rich and wealthy; One of the names of Goddess Lakshmi
Ita	Girl	Oil lamp
Izna	Girl	Light
Ishya	Girl	The season of Spring
Tau	Boy	A handsome bloke
Utsav	Boy	Celebration; Festival
Manish	Boy	One who is the lord of the mind
Sang	Boy	Bright one; Stands out of the crowd
Utkarsh	Boy	Awakening; Prosperity

Ehani	Girl	Song
Heena	Girl	Myrtle
Khyana	Girl	Light or deity
Chalise	Unisex	A ceremonial drinking cup
Tika	Girl	Sun maiden; Flower
Ved	Boy	A sacred text in Hindu religion
Baburam	Boy	Leader of a rebellion; Head of an uprising; Referring to Lord Ram as the leader
Ahupathi	Boy	Follower of prayer; A devotee
Bibek	Boy	Conscience, ethics
Bilhana	Girl	A woman of the dawn; Of the morning

Dvarika	Boy	Name of Lord Krishna's capital
Gianprakash	Boy	Light of devine knoledge
Tribhuvan	Boy	With knowledge of the three worlds
Aanga	Boy	Yard
Abiral	Boy	Never ending
Baijanthi	Girl	A flower
Balapuspika	Girl	The young blossom; The young flower
Ballabh	Boy	Beloved
Batsa	Boy	Nepali variant of Vatsa; Son
Batsal	Boy	A variant of Vatsal; Love or affection

Bhavaroopa	Girl	One who is unique
Bhavisana	Girl	Divine
Bhintuna	Boy	Wishes
Binsa	Girl	A woman who is fearless
Biswabandita	Girl	A name of Goddess Durga
Chaarumathi	Girl	One who is beautiful and intelligent
Chaha	Girl	Love, wish or desire
Chantin	Girl	Moon
Chatushkarni	Girl	One of the names of Goddess Lakshmi.
Chenbagam	Girl	Name of a flower

Chimini	Girl	Light
Chirashree	Girl	A woman with everlasting beauty
Chirasmi	Girl	A long life
Chitavake	Boy	The eye of Lord Shiva
Daxa	Girl	One who is clever
Devance	Boy	Part of god; Presence of god; A part of Lord Krishna
Devna	Girl	Godly; Divine
Devnand	Boy	Lord Krishna
Dexa	Girl	To teach
Dhonu	Boy	King

Dhyansh	Boy	Attention; An attentive person
Divsimar	Boy	One who remembers God
Druhi	Girl	Daughter
Drupadh	Boy	The great king
Eenakshi	Girl	A doe eyed woman
Eeshvi	Girl	God
Etisha	Girl	Beginning after the end
Faalgunee	Girl	The day of the full moon
Faneel	Boy	Sea waves
Fatehjit	Girl	One who is victorious in whatever he does

Feba	Girl	The source of light
Feshikha	Girl	Princess
Fuli	Girl	To bloom like a flower
Gamya	Girl	A beautiful destiny
Garvesh	Boy	Proud; One of the many names of Lord Ganesha
Gavya	Girl	Garden of God
Geetu	Girl	Someone who's very special
Gigyansh	Boy	Being curious about something
Girivardhan	Boy	A name of Lord Venkateshwara
Girvesh	Boy	A name of Lord Shiva

Gnapika	Girl	An intelligent woman
Griva	Girl	A woman with a beautiful singing voice
Gurratan	Boy	The diamond of God
Gurrehmat	Boy	Kindness or mercy
Hanit	Girl	A beautiful diamond
Hanka	Girl	Grace or favor
Haral	Girl	Time after the sunset
Harnoop	Boy	The beautiful person of God
Hartaj	Boy	The crown of God
Hasri	Girl	One who is always happy and joyful

Hekshith	Boy	Made up of gold or diamond
Hiranjan	Boy	The one who delights his parents.
Hiransh	Boy	A part of diamond
Hitu	Girl	Well wisher
Idha	Girl	Insight
Ihina	Girl	Enthusiasm
Ikroop	Girl	Beauteous form
Iloosha	Boy	Lord of the earth
Imay	Boy	One with an independent nature; One who likes being independent
Indradu	Boy	Desired by Lord Indra

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The charm of Nepali names lies in the languages it has been derived from, that is Sanskrit and Pali. Nepali baby names serve not only as a form of identification of an individual but it also indicates the individual’s caste, location, profession, and ethnicity. The naming ceremony or Nwaran ensures that Nepali babies are given meaningful names that match their individual self. This curated list of Nepali baby names allows parents to explore the fascinating names that emerged from the land of the mountains.

Infographic: Adorable Nepali Baby Names With Meanings

Nepali baby names are indicative of one’s profession, place of birth, and ethnicity. These names are commonly derived from the Pali and Sanskrit languages and are occasionally inspired by Nepal’s aesthetic surroundings. If you are looking for a Nepali name for your little one, look at the infographic below to get a glimpse of the enchanting nature of Nepali names.

nepal baby names with meanings (infographic)

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Which name is most popular in Nepal?

The most popular name in Nepal varies over time and can be influenced by cultural and regional factors. However, according to recent statistics, Rama is the most popular boy’s name followed by Krsna, Lakshmi, and Mana.

2. How do Nepali baby boy names reflect the culture of other South Asian countries, such as India or Bangladesh?

Nepali baby boy names, while distinctively Nepali, often share cultural influences and similarities with other South Asian countries like India and Bangladesh. Nepalese names often derive from Sanskrit and Pali (2), with a significant Hindu population comprising part of the Indo-Aryan language family. Nepal shares borders with India and has ethnic communities with historical ties to specific regions in India and Bangladesh. As a result, Nepali baby boy names may reflect regional or ethnic connections with these countries (3).

3. What are some potential cultural or linguistic misunderstandings that may arise while choosing a Nepali baby boy name without understanding its meaning or significance?

Choosing a Nepali baby boy name without understanding its meaning or significance may lead to potential cultural or linguistic misunderstandings. Without knowledge of the name's meaning, you may unintentionally select one that has a negative or inappropriate connotation in Nepali culture. It can also lead to mispronunciations and may also hinder effective communication and connection with the culture.

4. How do Nepali baby boy names reflect the values and beliefs of Nepali society, and how can I choose a name that aligns with my own values?

Many Nepali names are derived from Hindu, Buddhist, or other religious traditions prevalent in Nepal (3). In Nepal, naming conventions exhibit diversity. Typically, the eldest member of Nepalese households announces the names of the children (2). When choosing a Nepali baby boy name, Choose a name that resonates with your values, such as virtues you admire, spiritual beliefs you embrace, or cultural aspects that hold significance for you.

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.

Nepalese Culture.
https://culturalatlas.sbs.com.au/nepalese-culture/nepalese-culture-naming
Nepal personal names;
https://www.familysearch.org/en/wiki/Nepal_Personal_Names
Nepal;
https://jsis.washington.edu/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/nepal.pdf

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.