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.
| Name | Gender | Meaning | |
|---|---|---|---|
 Lopika |  |  Girl | Sweetness |
| Lubania | | Girl | Flowers |
| Manish | |  Boy | One who is the lord of the mind |
| Milan | | Boy | Beloved |
| Palisha | | Girl | Flower |
| Poudel nishita | | Girl | Sharp; Alert |
| Ram | | Boy | Pleasing; Charming; All-embracing absolute Brahman; A name to the ultimately formless (advita); An incarnation of Lord Vishnu |
| Sajit | | Boy | Victorious superior; Lord Ganesh |
| Salmee | | Girl | A woman with a calm disposition |
| Sanani | | Boy | A creative man |
| Sang | | Boy | Bright one; Stands out of the crowd |
| Sanjiya | | Girl | Love; Beauty; Brilliance |
| Sanjona | | Girl | The creator |
| Saudis | | Boy | King of the solar system |
| Sejun | | Boy | A charming man |
| Shalva | | Boy | An honest and peaceful man |
| Shanoli | | Girl | One who is kind-hearted |
| Shirisha | | Girl | Shining sun |
| Shraey | | Boy | Credit |
| Shubhu | | Girl | Conducive to success; Auspicious; Good; Goddess Lakshmi |
| Soneeya | | Girl | Golden; Beloved |
| Soumy | | Boy | Nepalese version of Soumya; Soft-natured |
| Sreva | | Girl | A good-natured woman |
| Taral | | Boy | Brilliant; Shining or splendid |
| Tau | | Boy | A handsome bloke |
| Tej | | Boy | Bright and radiant |
| Tika | | Girl | Sun maiden; Flower |
| Tilanjal | | Boy | A pure substance used to worship |
| Tirtha | | Boy | A holy place in India |
| Toofan | | Boy | Wind or storm |
| Tribhuvan | | Boy | With knowledge of the three worlds |
| Tribikram | | Boy | The Holy Trinity of Brahma, Vishnu, and Mahesh. |
| Tshering | | Boy | Long life |
| Tyag | | Boy | Sacrifice; A person who doesn’t hesitate to sacrifice |
| Udgam | | Boy | Rising star |
| Ujesh | | Boy | The one who gives light |
| Umanga | | Boy | Enthusiasm; Excitement; One who is full of enthusiasm |
| Unnabh | | Boy | Highest; The peak |
| Unnat | | Boy | Progress; Development |
| Utkarsh | | Boy | Awakening; Prosperity |
| Utkrishta | | Boy | The best amongst every one |
| Utsang | | Boy | Embrace |
| Utsarg | | Boy | One who is dedicated to whatever he does |
| Utsav | | Boy | Celebration; Festival |
| Vasava | | Boy | The name of Lord Indra |
| Ved | | Boy | A sacred text in Hindu religion |
| Yadav | | Boy | A name of Lord Krishna |
| Yagya | | Boy | A holy ceremony |
| Yahnaa | | Girl | Variant of Yahna |
| Yatindra | | Boy | Lord Indra |
| Yuddha | | Boy | War |
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.
Illustration: Momjunction Design Team
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.
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