Apart from the endless beaches, rolling surf, fun trains, elephants, and scrumptious cuisine, Sri Lanka is also famous for its mix of several ethnic groups, consisting mainly of Tamil, Moor, Malay, Burgher, Christians, and of course, Sinhalese. What’s even more fascinating is that all the ethnic groups have their own set of naming methods and conventions.
Sinhalese usually have two names, the first being the father’s name and the second being the given or personal name. For instance, in Muhandiramla Simon, Muhandiramla is the father’s name, and Simon is the given or personal name. Women also follow the same name structure, but adopt their husband’s name after marriage.
Apart from that, a suffix ‘GE’, which is Sinhalese for tribe or house is appended with the first name. For instance, in MuhandiramlaGE Simon, GE indicates the place of origin of the family, the head of the family, or a special characteristic of the family, which may have prevailed at that time. This prefix must be carried down by all the descendants, be it male or female.
It should also be noted that Sinhalese communities maintain a caste system, which asserts its influence on names and titles even today.
Below is MomJunction's exhaustive collection of traditional, modern, rare, and unique Sinhala baby boy and girl names with meanings.
NAMES | MEANING | GENDER | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Achala | Earth, steady, mountain | Girl | |||
Agara | House, dwelling place | Boy | |||
Ajith | Victorious; Invincible; Unconquerable; One who cannot be defeated by anyone | Boy | |||
Ama | African - Child born On Saturday; Old Norse - Eagle | Girl | |||
Amanda | The one who is made for love and respect who are active and bright | Girl | |||
Amanthi | Peace protector | Girl | |||
Anesha | Old Greek - Pure, Chaste; Holy; Pious; Kind; Good; A varaition of Agnes; Celtic - Hunger; Lamb; One | Girl | |||
Anika | Graceful young girl | Girl | |||
Anuradha | A star; name of a goddess of good fortune | Girl | |||
Asanka | Fearless, one witout doubt | Boy | |||
Ashane | Grace, favoured, God is gracious, God has shown favour | Boy | |||
Kalani | Kalani name means The Heavens | Unisex | |||
Keshini | Keshin means Lion | Girl | |||
Kevin | Kevin means He is Born as Gentle Child | Boy | |||
Manil | Jewel of a Son; Gem of a Son; Precious; Gem | Boy | |||
Onisha | Lord of the mind | Girl | |||
Oshan | A little warm | Boy | |||
Sahan | To forgive | Boy | |||
Tavish | Heaven | Boy | |||
Theshana | Gift of god | Boy | |||
Achila | The feminine form of Achilles or without lips | Girl | |||
Ajantha | He who is creative. Also the name of a famous Buddhist cave. | Boy | |||
Amithnal | A loving and wise leader. | Boy | |||
Asheni | A strict natured, serious and diplomatic person | Girl | |||
Asiri | Blessings | Boy | |||
Athula | Something that's immeasurable, incomparable | Boy | |||
Avanthi | Name of a historical city | Girl | |||
Ayomi | My joy | Girl | |||
Bandhini | Bond | Girl | |||
Banduka | He who is outstanding | Boy | |||
Bhakthi | Devotion | Girl | |||
Buddhika | He who is clever and wise. | Unisex | |||
Ceylon | Name of a place | Girl | |||
Chamara | He who is expressive | Boy | |||
Chaminda | An experienced person | Boy | |||
Champaka | A flower | Boy | |||
Charuka | Beautiful | Girl | |||
Chathura | He who is skillful, smart and genius | Boy | |||
Chatura | Fosterer of genius | Boy | |||
Chaturi | She who is clever | Girl | |||
Chithkala | Knowledge | Girl | |||
Chrishantha | Social, a sociable being | Boy | |||
Dayani | She who is friendly | Girl | |||
Dilipa | The one who gives, accepts and protects | Girl | |||
Diyon | Brave birth | Boy | |||
Dulani | Cutting | Girl | |||
Duminda | The Bo tree or Bodhi tree | Boy | |||
Erajh | Morning light | Boy | |||
Eromi | Understanding | Girl | |||
Gayesha | Expressive | Girl | |||