508 Timeless Telugu Baby Names With Cultural Significance

Preserving legacy, reflecting Telugu family pride.

Written by Kavita Kankani, MBA, BEd

Edited by Rohit Garoo, BSc, MBA

Fact-checked by Shinta Liz Sunny, M.Tech

Last Updated on Aug 2, 2024

Illustration: MomJunction Design Team

Telugu baby names give us a peek into the diverse culture of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, where the language is mainly spoken. The influence of this language is also visible in the nearby states of Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, and Odisha, as well as the union territories of Andaman & Nicobar Islands and Puducherry.

Telugu naming traditions are unique and deeply tied to their heritage, making them stand out in Asia. The names often take inspiration from Hindu gods and goddesses, showing the strong cultural and religious importance they hold. Given names are often made by combining words to create a pleasant and meaningful sound. In Telugu naming customs, the family name comes first, followed by the given name, following the format 'Family name, Given name.' This is different from North Indian traditions, where the family name usually comes last, and from other parts of South India, where family names are less common.

After the family and the given names, a caste suffix such as Goud, Shastry, Varma, Gupta, Choudhary, Naidu, Raju, Reddy, Rao, Yadav, or Setty may also be added. For instance, in the name Kolli Mahesh Reddy, Kolli is the family name, Mahesh is the given name, and Reddy indicates the person's caste.

For parents looking for names that hold deep meaning and connect to their heritage, Telugu baby names offer a meaningful link to their cultural roots and a tradition of respect and honor.

Name	Gender	Meaning
Veda	Girl	Knowledge; Wisdom
Samira	Girl	Companion in evening talk; Wind; Air
Jai	Boy	Victory; Supplanter; Healer
Leela	Girl	Play; Amusement; Princess of darkness
Viraj	Girl	Radiant; Bright; Regal; King; Ruling far and wide
Khalani	Unisex	Sea and sky; Earth
Hardin	Boy	Brave; Strong; Hardy; Valley of the hare; Affectionate
Josh-Name-Meaning-And-Origin:-Comprehensive-Guide	Boy	Jehovah is salvation; Pleasure; Satisfaction; Enthusiasm
Priya	Girl	Beloved; Loved one
Nikhil	Boy	Perfect; Complete; Whole; All-inclusive; Intact

Anjali	Girl	Offering with devotion to God; Salutation
Arjan	Boy	From Hadria; Procuring; Earning; Acquiring; Gaining; Golden life
Uma	Girl	Flax; Night; Fame; Splendor; Tranquility
Ashwin	Boy	Possessed of horses; A cavalier; Light
Sanaya	Girl	Ancient; One that will last forever
Viraaj	Girl	Radiant; Bright; Regal; King; Ruling far and wide
Raghav	Boy	Descendant of Raghu or Lord Ram
Akhil	Boy	World; Whole; Perfect; Entire; Complete
Kiyaan	Boy	Royal; Kingship
Varun	Boy	To surround; God of water and the oceans

Vikram	Boy	Stride; Pace; Valor
Madhav	Boy	Vernal; Of the springtime; Krishna; Descendant of Madhu; Honey
Advay	Boy	Unique; Without second
Arun	Boy	Red; Reddish brown; Dawn; Chariot of the Sun; Eagle secret; Successful secret; Morning sun
Livi-Name:-Meaning,-History-&-2025-Popularity-Guide	Girl	Olive; Writing; Manuscript; To envy; Blue
Sachin	Boy	True; Real
Samyra	Girl	Companion in evening conversations; Wind or air
Divya	Girl	A divine luster; Heavenly
Advith	Boy	One who is unique; Without a second
Anand	Boy	Joy; Happiness; Bliss; Delight; Pleasure; Harmony

Rani-Name-Meaning-And-Origin:-Variations,-Nicknames-&-More	Girl	Queen; She is singing; Joyous song
Vaishnavi	Girl	Belonging to Vishnu; All-pervasive
Meenakshi	Girl	A girl with beautiful, fish-like eyes
Amogh	Boy	Lord Ganesh; Unerring; Invincible; That which has no alternative
Kamala-Name-Meaning-And-History:-A-Comprehensive-Guide	Girl	Lotus; Pale red
Shivin	Boy	Auspicious; Dear; Favorable
Adithya	Boy	Sun God; Son of Aditi
Vishnu-Name-Meaning-And-History:-Comprehensive-Guide	Girl	All-pervasive; Hindu god of preservation and protection
Sanjay	Boy	Completely victorious; Triumphant
Sandip	Boy	Blazing; Lamp

Priyansh	Boy	The dearest part; Part of one's beloved
Neha	Girl	Love; Tenderness; Rain; Wisdom
Sameera	Girl	Companion in evening talk; Wind; Air
Kavan	Boy	Poem and water; Handsome
Vani-Name-Meaning-And-Origin:-A-Comprehensive-Guide	Girl	Voice; Speech; Wish; Desire; Accustomed; God is gracious
Ronav	Boy	A person who is an embodiment of charm and grace; Handsome
Nethra	Unisex	Vision; Eyes; Leader
Chinmay	Boy	Name of Lord Ganesha; Intelligence; Consciousness
Akila	Girl	Intelligent; Wise; Logical; Eagle; Whole; Complete
Gautham-Name:-Meaning,-Origin,-And-Ultimate-Guide	Boy	Enlightened; Wise; The best of cattle

Mohan	Boy	Charming; Infatuating; Bewitching
Sriram	Boy	Lord rama
Vivek	Boy	Wisdom; Discrimination; Distinction
Kalyani	Girl	Beautiful; Auspicious
Pranshi	Girl	Another name of Goddess Lakshmi; Of great stature
Priyanka	Girl	Agreeable; Amiable
Sithara	Girl	Star
Shyam	Boy	Dark blue; Black; Hindu god Krishna
Nithya	Girl	Eternal; Always
Satya	Boy	Pure; Virtuous; Truthful

Sanayah	Unisex	Old; Ancient; Long-lasting; Linger
Vijay	Unisex	Victorious or triumphant
Vidur	Unisex	Wise; Expert
Sritha:-Complete-Guide-To-Origin,-Meaning,-And-More	Unisex	Dressed; Prepared; Enduring
Ramani	Girl	Beauty; Grace
Satish	Boy	Ruler; Lord of Sati; Truthfulness
Dhanvin	Boy	Archer; Bowman; One who carries a bow; A name for Lord Shiva
Aniketh	Boy	One who has no residence; Homeless; One who is present in everything; Spirit of God; Lord Shiva
Sarath	Boy	Autumn
Devam-Name-Meaning:-Complete-Origin,-History,-Numerology-&-More	Unisex	Divine; Celestial; Supreme presence; Shining

Samhitha-Name-Meaning:-Guide-To-Origin,-Popularity,-&-Nicknames	Unisex	Put together; Joined; Union; Collection; A methodically rule-based combination of texts and verses
Krithik	Boy	Name of Shiva's son Murugan
Varshini	Unisex	Rain; Rainy season
Viva-Name-Meaning-And-Origin:-Everything-To-Know	Unisex	Alive; Life; Spring; Blow through
Varsha	Girl	Rain
Santosh	Boy	Happiness; Satisfaction; Contentment
Sanjeev	Boy	Giving life; Reviving
Varish	Unisex	Ocean; Year; Rain
Dharmik	Unisex	Religious; Spiritual; Law; Duty; Virtue; A name of Lord Ganesha; Sacred; Brave
Taje	Unisex	Crowned; People

Het	Boy	Love; Adore; Care for
Keerthana	Girl	Prayer; Hymn; Praise to God
Shamala-Baby-Name:-Pronunciation,-Meaning-&-Popularity-Guide	Girl	Black; Dark; Blue
Mahith	Boy	Greatness; Honored; Festivity; Esteemed
Mani	Boy	A jewel; Moon; God is with us
Pradeep	Boy	Light; Lantern
Revanth	Boy	Horse rider; Brilliant; Wealthy; Opulent; Splendid; Handsome; Son of Lord Surya
Bindu-Name-Meaning-And-History:-A-Comprehensive-Guide	Girl	Drop; Point
Praveen	Boy	A person who is an expert in something
Saikrishna	Unisex	Saint; Master; Lord; Lord Krishna; An incarnation of Lord Vishnu

Santhosh	Boy	Happy; Satisfaction; Contentment
Krunal	Boy	One who is a Constant Companion; Compassionate; Kind to others
Kani	Girl	Sound; Maiden
Sriharsha	Unisex	One who brings joy and prosperity
Yashas	Boy	Fame; Glory; Splendid; Worthy; Praise; Excellent
Niharika	Girl	Nebula
Ahni	Unisex	Day; Awe or fear for the edge of the sword
Haasini	Unisex	Jovial; Pleasant; Divine Mother
Sriya	Girl	Superior; Best
Jaali	Boy	Pity; Net

…

Telugu baby names are deeply rooted in the cultural heritage and religious beliefs of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. They blend words to create beautiful and meaningful names. Each name holds special meaning and family pride. The tradition of placing the family name first and sometimes adding a caste suffix highlights the community's strong sense of social identity. Choosing a Telugu name isn't just a tradition but a way to respect ancestors and ensure that future generations stay acquainted with essential cultural values.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can Telugu baby names be modern and unique?

Most Telugu names go back centuries but remain relevant today. They also have meanings or connotations that resonate with modern values. For instance, Arun means ‘dawn' and could signify new beginnings, while Jaya means ‘victory’ and could signify triumph.

2. How important are ancestral names in Telugu naming traditions?

Telugu people place a significant emphasis on names that highlight their familial and ancestral roots. These include toponymic and topographic names such as Adawi, meaning ‘of the forest,’ and Samudrala, meaning ‘of harbor village.’ These names also highlight their tribal roots and heritage.

Infographic: Enchanting Telugu Baby Names With Meanings

Telugu baby names, rooted in Hindu traditions, combine spiritual meanings with family pride. They emphasize social identity by placing the family name first. These names reflect the beauty and richness of South India's diverse culture and spiritual beliefs. Each name resonates with beauty and serves as a testament to the enduring values cherished within these vibrant communities.

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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Author Editor Fact Checker

Kavita KankaniMBA, BEd

Kavita has a diverse background in finance, human resources, and teaching. She did her MBA in Finance and HR at Solapur University, and bachelor in Education at Pune University. After working for three years in the banking industry, Kavita took up teaching before moving to writing.

Read full bio of Kavita Kankani

Rohit GarooBSc, MBA

Rohit Garoo is a writer-turned-editor with over 9 years of experience in content writing, editing, and content marketing. He did his bachelors in Science at St. Xavier's College, Hyderabad, and masters in Business Administration at Osmania University.

Read full bio of Rohit Garoo

Shinta Liz SunnyM.Tech

Shinta is a biotechnologist who is highly intrigued by science and technology. She holds a master's degree in Biotechnology from Karunya Institute of Technology and Sciences and a PG Diploma in cellular and molecular diagnostics from Manipal University.

Read full bio of Shinta Liz Sunny