Sikh baby names hold profound significance since they are rooted in the sacred teachings of Guru Granth Sahib, reflecting the rich history of their heritage. These names exemplify a beautiful fusion of spirituality and valor, offering parents a treasure trove of linguistic gems to bestow upon their newborns. As part of the Sikh traditions, after two weeks after the birth of the baby, a special naming ceremony, also known as the ‘naam karan ceremony,’ is held at the Gurudwara. Here, the parents of the child and the guests make an offering to the Guru Granth Sahib, the holy book of Sikhs. They either offer a donation or make a sanctified form of food, also known as ‘Karah Parshad.’ After this, the baby is given a holy mixture of sugar and water to mark the initiation of the ceremony. The Guru Granth Sahib is the primary source of picking names for Sikh babies. The reader of the Holy Book (Granthi) opens the book at random at the command (Hukam) of God. The first letter of the first word from the page picked for the initial of the child’s name. The parents choose the name for their little one with that letter and share it with the congregation by the granthi. People of the Sikh faith are often referred to as Khalsa, a community. The male members are assigned the title Singh (lion), while the female members are assigned Kaur (princess) (1). Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth and the last human Sikh Guru, had instructed all to practice this belief to remind them of the popular Sikh faith, which is ‘the oneness of humanity.’ The tradition reduces caste-based prejudices and displays equality between men and women. Now that we acquainted you with the customs and traditions, it’s time to check out some insightful names. The following Sikh/Punjabi baby names with meanings have been obtained from reliable sources. Browse, shortlist, and pick the best of all.
Name | Gender | Meaning | |
---|---|---|---|
Grey | Boy | Gray-haired; Pleasing; Welcome; Brindled coloration | |
Greydon | Boy | A person who leads everyone as a king or a leader | |
Greylond | Boy | A person who leads everyone as a king or a leader | |
Greysen | Boy | Son of steward; Guardian or warden | |
Greysi | Girl | Decency with a special beauty | |
Grhini | Girl | A housewife who does household tasks and takes care of her house the whole day | |
Gunaratan | Boy | One who is a gem of good characters | |
Guneet | Boy | One who is meritorious for his virtues, righteousness, honor, good characteristics, and great qualities | |
Gurbani | Unisex | Word of the Guru; Divine knowledge | |
Gurcharan | Boy | Refuge at the guru; Feet of the guru; One who serves at the guru's feet | |
Gurdweep | Boy | Light of the Guru | |
Gurjas | Boy | Fame of lord; Fame of the Guru | |
Gurjodh | Boy | Warrior of Guru | |
Gurkeerat | Boy | One who sings praises of the Guru; One pay tributes to his Guru through bhajans and keertans | |
Gurkiran | Girl | The ray of Guru's light; Radiance and brightness of Guru | |
Gurleen | Unisex | A person who is absorbed in the Guru | |
Gurman | Boy | Heart of the Guru; Spirit of the Guru; Soul of the Guru | |
Gurmeet | Boy | Friend of Guru; A companion of the Guru; A variant spelling is Gurmit | |
Gurneet | Girl | Guru’s moral | |
Gurnoor | Boy | A person who is the heavenly light of his Guru; A copy of his Guru | |
Gurpreet | Girl | The love of lord or master | |
Gursharan | Boy | Refuge at the Guru; Feet of the Guru; One who serves at the Guru's feet | |
Guru | Unisex | Teacher, guide, expert | |
Haashim | Boy | Generosity; Kindness; With a bright heart | |
Haatim | Boy | Decisive by nature; Determined; Strong-minded | |
Hab | Unisex | Love; Affiliation; Friendship; Hope | |
Habash | Boy | Guinea fowl; Guinea hen | |
Hadir | Boy | Beautiful; Stunning; Striking; The sound of thunder | |
Hadiyyah | Girl | Gift; Reward; Souvenir; Donation; Prize | |
Hadon | Boy | From the heath or open uncultivated land | |
Hadrami | Boy | Nobel man; The name of some prominent men | |
Hadrian | Boy | From Hadria | |
Hadwin | Boy | War friend; Friend in the war | |
Hadwinn | Boy | Friend in war; An alternative to the spelling of Hadwin | |
Hadwyn | Boy | Companion during the war; Friend during wartime | |
Hadwyne | Boy | Buddy in warfare; Companion in war-time | |
Haecci | Boy | Idealistic; Highly imaginative; Intuitive | |
Haele | Boy | Lives in the hall | |
Haemgisl | Girl | A girl or woman from your own neighborhood | |
Haep | Girl | A happy woman | |
Haesel | Girl | A kind of nut | |
Haestingas | Boy | Tribes of Anglo-Saxon Britain; Violent; Aggressive; Fierce | |
Haethbeorht | Boy | Deep inner desire to lead; Organize; Supervise | |
Haf | Girl | Summer; The warmest season | |
Hafa | Girl | Mild rain; Moderate rain | |
Hafeez | Boy | Protector; Providing shield; Islamic God name | |
Hafeeza | Girl | Guardian; Protector; Amulet | |
Hafez | Boy | Responsible caretaker; Guardian; Keeper; Preserver | |
Haffafa | Girl | Glittering; Sparkling; Shining; Slim | |
Hafid | Boy | Protector of the religion; Guardian of the Islamic religion | |
Hakoda | Boy | Gift of God | |
Halstead | Boy | An animal shed | |
Hananiah | Girl | Yahweh is gracious | |
Harbhajan | Boy | God’s prayer; Bhajan or prayer of Lord Shiva | |
Harkiran | Boy | The rays of God's light | |
Harlee | Girl | An alternate to Harley | |
Harleen | Girl | Feminine variant of Harley | |
Harleigh | Boy | Rock meadow, Hare meadow | |
Harlequin | Boy | Mute Pantomime Clown | |
Harmandeep | Unisex | Light of God | |
Harpreet | Girl | One who loves the god | |
Harrye | Boy | An estate's ruler | |
Harsh | Boy | Gladness; Cheerfullness | |
Harshan | Boy | Lustrous splendor of God | |
Harshat | Boy | Happiness; Gladness | |
Harshavardhan | Boy | Inventor of Joy; One who provides full happiness | |
Harshida | Girl | Giver of joy | |
Harshil | Boy | Joyful | |
Harshill | Boy | King of hills | |
Harshim | Boy | Over Smart | |
Harshnil | Boy | Scared; Not daring | |
Harti | Boy | Daring | |
Hartleigh | Girl | Variant of Hartley | |
Hartley | Boy | Dear field | |
Hartly | Boy | Stag Grazing land | |
Hartman | Boy | Fast Runner | |
Hartmann | Boy | Hard; Strong man | |
Hartwell | Boy | Water hole for stags; Stag spring | |
Hartwig | Boy | Strong advisor; Hard; Strong; Powerful | |
Hartwill | Boy | Stag pool; Lives near the stag's spring | |
Harunalrashid | Boy | Celebrated Abbasi Caliph | |
Harva | Girl | A warrior of the army | |
Harvee | Unisex | Battle worthy | |
Harveen | Girl | Loving each other | |
Hedia | Girl | Pleasant | |
Hereburg | Boy | An army's fortress | |
Hereca | Boy | Thoughtful; Introverted | |
Hereferth | Boy | A free soldier of the army | |
Herefrith | Boy | A peaceful soldier | |
Hermind | Boy | A soldier who protects | |
Hermo | Boy | Army Staff | |
Herne | Boy | Fabulous Hunter | |
Hernox | Boy | Spontaneous; Impulsive | |
Herolt | Boy | Rules an Estate | |
Heromin | Girl | Keeper of the fireplace | |
Heron | Boy | Long-legged bird | |
Heros | Boy | A variation of an ancient Greek name | |
Herould | Boy | Derived from the name Hebreweald; Army; Power; Leader; Ruler | |
Herrold | Boy | Authoritative person in the army | |
Heruuord | Boy | An untiring, reasonable and discreet individual | |
Sikh and Punjabi baby names beautifully embody the region's culture, spirituality, and history. With profound meanings and diverse linguistic origins, these timeless names inspire and resonate with parents worldwide, connecting newborns to a cherished identity and a multi-generational legacy. The selection of a name is a momentous and joyous event, celebrated by loved ones, reflecting the essence of Sikh and Punjabi culture.
Infographic: Enchanting Sikh/Punjabi Boy and Girl Names
Sikh baby names embody a captivating historical narrative. From valorous warriors to profound philosophers and poets, these names testify to Punjab's storied heritage. If you're seeking an alluring name for your little one, this infographic will assist you in finding your pick. Explore these lovely names and discover the perfect choice.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Are there any restrictions on Sikh baby names?
Sikh baby names are chosen through a naming ceremony or 'Naamkaran.' Most Sikh names are taken from the holy book, the Guru Granth Sahib. After the name is chosen, 'Kaur,' meaning princess, is added to the names of baby girls, and 'Singh,' meaning lion, is added to the names of baby boys (1). If the family has an ancestral surname, then 'Kaur' and 'Singh' are the middle names. However, Sikh naming practices may vary according to personal preferences, family culture, and traditions
2. Can Sikh baby names be gender-neutral?
Yes, most Sikh baby names are gender-neutral, although some are more often used with one gender than another.
3. What is the significance of Sikh baby names?
Sikh baby names hold a lot of significance as these names are derived from the Sikh holy book Guru Granth Sahib, which emphasizes spirituality and commitment towards God. The virtues of truth, compassion, contentment, calmness, humility, and love serve as sources of inspiration for many Sikh names.
4. Can Sikh baby names be in any language?
Yes, there is no official language of Sikhs, due to which there are no language restrictions. Hence, baby names can be in any language (2).
5. How do I ensure that the Sikh baby name I choose is not offensive or disrespectful?
To ensure the Sikh baby name you chose is not disrespectful, you may do thorough research on the name, including its meaning, background, and history, how the name sounds, and whether or not the name has any social implications.
References
- Sikh Names and Surnames - Principles and Practices - A Viewpoint
https://www.sikhmissionarysociety.org/sms/smsarticles/advisorypanel/gurindersinghsacha/sikhnamesandsurnames/ - Sikh naming conventions
https://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Sikh_naming_convention