73 Melodious Pali Baby Names With Deep Meanings
Blessings of Buddha and Mother Nature.
Illustration: MomJunction Design Team
Pali, also referred to as Pali-Magadhi, is a classical language of the Indian subcontinent and the liturgical language of Theravada Buddhism. Pali baby names hold a unique charm and cultural significance and are commonly prevalent in Sri Lanka, Nepal, India, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, and Cambodia.
These names often carry a sense of serenity and wisdom, attributes that are highly esteemed in Buddhist philosophy, and reflect the Buddha’s teachings. For instance, names like Eshin, meaning ‘understanding mind’ or ‘wisdom,’ Nyan, which translates to ‘wisdom,’ and Thuta, meaning ‘knowledge,’ are popular choices that convey fundamental Buddhist principles. Pali names are also inspired by the natural environment. For instance, the name Arkar means ‘sky,’ Thawka refers to the ‘Amherstia flower,’ and Hayma means ‘forest.’ Pali names are also often influenced by astrological beliefs and cultural customs. For instance, the name Kan translates to ‘fortune’ and Yadanar means ‘gemstone’ or ‘gem,’ names that are considered to bring good fortune and protect the child from negative influences.
Pali names have distinct sounds and are often distinguished by their simplicity and melody. This phonetic appeal, combined with their deep meanings, makes Pali names a preferred choice for parents across cultures. Parents choosing Pali names for their children might be inspired by a desire to imbue their offspring with qualities such as compassion, purity, and enlightenment, which are central to Buddhist teachings. Take a look at our collection of Pali baby names that reflect both time-honored traditions and contemporary trends.
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| Name | Gender | Meaning | |
|---|---|---|---|
 |  Boy | Youthful; God is gracious | |
| |  Girl | Hearing; Flowing; Solar; Sacrificial libation; The moon; Name of varuna | |
| | Girl | A large grassy plain; Flowed; Milk; Delight; To accept | |
| | Boy | Courage; Adventure; Valor; With force | |
| | Girl | Gold vessel; Gold coin; Necklace | |
| | Boy | A scholar; Human being; A young man; A male student | |
| | Girl | House; Habitation | |
| | Boy | Wise; Astute; Intelligent; Expert | |
| | Boy | Greatness; Honored; Festivity; Esteemed | |
| | Boy | Mind; Thoughts; Wisdom king; Pride | |
| | Girl | Celebrated; Greatness; Honored; Festivity | |
| | Boy | To be able; Worthy; Possible; Practicable | |
| |  Unisex | Collecting; Produced | |
| | Unisex | Cycle of existence; Endless rebirth; Wheel of dharma; The great tree of transmigration | |
| | Boy | Wisdom | |
| | Girl | Mind; Spiritual; A lake; A mountain; Mental worship; Desire; Wish; Intention | |
| | Girl | A good companion and loyal friend | |
| | Girl | Great; Narada's seven-stringed lute; A river; To honor; Important | |
| | Girl | Belonging to the river Devika; Army ranking | |
| | Girl | The great Lakshmi; Great royal fortune; Great sign; Great beauty; Universal mother; Great wealth | |
| | Girl | New; Young; Praiseworthy | |
| | Girl | Noble; Chaste; Moral; Conduct | |
| | Girl | Woman of the race of Madhu or Yadu; Subhadra; Spring; Honey-sugar; Sacred basil; Earth | |
| | Boy | Lotus; Water-born; Fish | |
| | Boy | Mother; God of fertility and of rain; Wet nurse; Dark one; Grandmother; Born on Saturday; Edge of a sword | |
| | Boy | Infinite; Endless lord; Infinite; Eternal; Celestial snake; Sky; Earth | |
| | Boy | Salutation; Young mouse | |
| | Boy | Anointed with; Son of Anjana | |
| | Boy | Worthy of; Deserving; Entitled to | |
| | Boy | Lord Shiva; Number 24; Worthy one; Man of worth; Honourable one | |
| | Boy | Formless; Incorporeal; Non-substantial; Emancipation; Unseen; Invisible | |
| | Boy | Fate; Luck; Good fortune; Prosperity; Destined | |
| | Unisex | Clear; Straight | |
| | Girl | Not clinging; Eaten; Sickle; Rope | |
| | Boy | Living; Demon; Titan; Tomorrow; To come | |
| | Boy | Lord; God | |
| | Boy | A panther; Inflaming; Bright | |
| | Boy | Sun God; Maker of day | |
| | Boy | Learned Brahmins; Sages; A tooth; A bird; Twice born; Moon | |
| | Boy | Born twice; Learned Brahmins; Sages; A tooth; A bird; Moon | |
| | Boy | God is faithful; Moon | |
| | Girl | Appearance; Light; Manifestation; Pretence; Resembling | |
| | Girl | Grace; Lustre; Light; Beauty | |
| | Boy | Sky | |
| | Girl | A name of Lord Indra | |
| | Girl | Forest | |
| | Girl | A variant of Hayma; Forest. | |
| | Unisex | Rich and wealthy | |
| | Girl | Prayer; Offerings | |
| | Girl | Garland | |
| | Girl | A charming lady | |
| | Girl | Linseed flower | |
| | Girl | Glory | |
| | Girl | Coral | |
| | Girl | Amherstia flower | |
| | Unisex | Gold | |
| | Boy | Lion | |
| | Girl | Splendor; Good looking | |
| | Boy | Knowledge | |
| | Girl | Angel; A girl as beautiful and virtuous as an angel | |
| | Boy | Gold | |
| | Girl | A form of Yadanar; Gem | |
| | Girl | Gem or gemstone | |
| | Boy | King | |
| | Boy | King | |
| | Girl | Orange jasmine | |
| | Girl | Represented; Sensed; Devoted to service; Offered to God | |
| | Girl | Light; Fire; Enjoyment | |
| | Unisex | A divine seer; Chief among the goddesses | |
| | Unisex | Born twice | |
| | Girl | Together; With; Simultaneously, Sand feathers | |
| | Unisex | Remnant; Salvation; Conclusion | |
| | Unisex | Invalid; Unapproved | |
Pali baby names have profound meanings and spiritual depth and often represent ancient Buddhist traditions and values. They are rooted in the ancient virtues engraved in Buddha’s teachings and are more than mere identity markers. These names generally embody virtues like wisdom, knowledge, or compassion and serve as inspiration for the bearers. Some also denote the natural environment of the people. By giving your child a Pali name, you can infuse a sense of tradition in them and inspire them to live a virtuous life of purpose.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Are there any famous people with Pali baby names?
For example, the masculine name Arkar, meaning 'sky' or 'open space,' is associated with Burmese film director and screenwriter Arkar. Another example is the feminine name Yuzana, meaning 'orange flower,' associated with the pop singer Yuzana. The gender-neutral name Thiri, meaning 'being auspicious,' is also linked to Thiri Thuriya, a king of the Mrauk-U Dynasty of Arakan.
2. Can Pali baby names be used as middle names?
Short Pali names such as the masculine Nyan, meaning 'wisdom,' the gender-neutral Thuta, meaning 'knowledge,' and the masculine Kan, meaning 'luck,' 'fate,' or 'fortune,' can be excellent choices for middle names. Meaningful and powerful Pali names such as the masculine Yarzar, meaning 'king' or 'ruler,' and the masculine Thiha, meaning 'lion,' are bold options for middle names.
Infographic: Endearing Pali Baby Names With Meanings
Pali baby names, derived from the ancient language of early Buddhism, often boast profound meanings and reflect the teachings of the Buddha. The natural environment inspires some of these names. Explore this infographic and find the perfect Pali name for your little one.
Illustration: Momjunction Design Team
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.
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