Baby names in India: Meanings, origins and tips for choosing the best baby name

"Naming a baby is an act of poetry, and for many people, the only creative moment of their lives," said Richard Eyre, the popular English film, theatre, television and opera director. But, choosing a name for a newborn baby can be quite challenging, with every parent trying to find one that sounds unique, impressive and cool. Add to this the deluge of new names cropping up, the task becomes even tougher.

This is where a baby name list with modern and unique names comes in handy for parents. So, if you are a parent looking for a name for your newborn child, don't worry. We take you through a collection of some trendy child names to help you.

Naming ceremony

The naming ceremony is probably the first special event in a child's life, and a special occasion in almost every culture of the world.

The naming ceremony is called 'Namakaran' in the Hindu religion, while the Christians celebrate it as 'Christening.' Similarly, the event has different names in every religion - 'Aqiqah' in Islam, 'Brit Milah' in Judaism, and 'Naamkaran' in Sikhism.

In most religions, the event is conducted between the 7th and 40th day after the baby's birth. Prayers are held and rituals are performed during the event, and the baby is finally given a name by the priest who conducts the ceremony.

Choosing a baby name in India

There are various factors that influence the process of choosing a baby name in India. They include the baby's birth time and star sign, astrology, family traditions, religious beliefs, and the wishes of family elders. Nowadays, numerology is also given importance while choosing baby names. Parents believe that if their baby is named according to his lucky number, he will be blessed with good fortune.

Generally, mythology and history pertaining to religion play a big role in naming the babies. Some examples of common baby names influenced by these factors include Lakshmi and Ganesh in Hinduism, Afrin and Mohammed in Islam, and Mary and John in Christianity.

Let's now have a look at some trendy names for boys and girls:

Boy baby names

Boy baby names starting with the letter A: Some trendy boy baby names starting with the letter A are Advik (unique) and Aamod (pleasure/joy/festivity).

Boy baby names starting with the letter B: Some trendy boy baby names starting with the letter B are Baahir (famous/ brilliant/ dazzling) and Bhagat (devotee/ disciple)

Boy baby names starting with the letter C: Some trendy boy baby names starting with the letter C are Charun (having beautiful eyes) and Chirag (lamp/ light).

Boy baby names starting with the letter D: Some trendy boy baby names starting with the letter D are Dhanvir (richness/wealthy) and Dakshit (Lord Shiva/ able/ competent).

Boy baby names starting with the letter E: Some trendy boy baby names starting with the letter E are Ekant (solitary) and Etash (luminous).

Boy baby names starting with the letter F: Some trendy boy baby names starting with the letter F are Faaz (brilliant/successful/ victorious) and Felix (cheerful/lucky/ successful).

Boy baby names starting with the letter G: Some trendy boy baby names starting with the letter G are Garv (pride) and Gurbaksh (blessed by the guru).

Boy baby names starting with the letter H: Some trendy boy baby names starting with the letter H are Hardik (heartfelt/ affectionate) and Habeeb (beloved/dearly loved).

Boy baby names starting with the letter I: Some trendy boy baby names starting with the letter I are Idhant (luminous) and Irfan (wisdom/knowledge/thankfulness).

Boy baby names starting with the letter J: Some trendy boy baby names starting with the letter J are Jeshan (clear) and Jasen (healer).

Boy baby names starting with the letter K: Some trendy boy baby names starting with the letter K are Kairav (white lotus/born of water) and Kamran (fortunate/ successful).

Boy baby names starting with the letter L: Some trendy boy baby names starting with the letter L are Laksh (aim/ target) and Lucas (bright/ shining/man from Lucania).

Boy baby names starting with the letter M: Some trendy boy baby names starting with the letter M are Mayur (peacock) and Mikul (comrade).

Boy baby names starting with the letter N: Some trendy boy baby names starting with the letter N are Nehan (strong; beautiful; handsome) and Nipun (expert/ skillful/ talented).

Boy baby names starting with the letter O: Some trendy boy baby names starting with the letter O are Ojas (full of light/luster brilliance) and Oviyan (artist).

Boy baby names starting with the letter P: Some trendy boy baby names starting with the letter P are Prajwal (shining/brightness) and Paul (small/humble/Saint Paul/ the Apostle).

Boy baby names starting with the letter Q: Some trendy boy baby names starting with the letter Q are Qadir (capable; competent) and Qulaib (conscience; heart).

Boy baby names starting with the letter R: Some trendy boy baby names starting with the letter R are Ryan (little king) and Roshan (shining light/ illumination/sun's rays).

Boy baby names starting with the letter S: Some trendy boy baby names starting with the letter S are Safal (succeed) and Shaddad (strong/severe/ firm).

Boy baby names starting with the letter T: Some trendy boy baby names starting with the letter T are Tanish (ambition) and Timothy (honoring God/ Saint Timothy).

Baby boy names starting with the letter U: Some trendy boy baby names starting with the letter U are Ulhas (joy/ filled with happiness) and Ubaid (servant of Allah/faithful).

Boy baby names starting with the letter V: Some trendy boy baby names starting with the letter V are Vaibudh (divine/belonging to the gods) and Valentino (strong/healthy).

Boy baby names starting with the letter W: Some trendy boy baby names starting with the letter W are Waqas (warrior/soldier/ combatant) and Wilfred (desiring peace/resolute).

Boy baby names starting with the letter X: Some trendy boy baby names starting with the letter X are Xavier (splendid/bright/the new house) and Xerxes (warrior/hero among rulers).

Boy baby names starting with the letter Y: Some trendy boy baby names starting with the letter Y are Yugant (everlasting/timeless) and Yasar (luxury/easy/ lack of trouble). Baby Boy Names Starting With Y.

Boy baby names starting with the letter Z: Some trendy boy baby names starting with the letter Z are Zaahir (shining/bright/elevated) and Zachariah (the Lord has remembered). Baby Boy Names Starting With Z.

Modern boy baby names

Some of the modern boy baby names are Vivaan (first rays of sun/full of life), Rajat (silver/courage), Aadav (sun) and Nafal (voluntary good deed/gift).

Unique boy baby names

Dahak (powerful), Hamant (winter; cold), Raif (kind; tenderhearted; compassionate) and Zubin (to honor/a spear) are some of the unique boy baby names.

Trending boy baby names

Some trending boy baby names include Hrithik (from the heart/ truthful/intelligent), Mehul (rain), Jai (victory) and Adnan (one who settles for a long time in a place/paradise).

Traditional boy baby names

Some parents still prefer traditional boy baby names such as Balveer (powerful/brave soldier), Kabir (a poet-saint/great/ powerful), Abraham (father of a multitude/father of many nations) and Rajendra (king of kings/mighty ruler).

Girl baby names

Girl baby names starting with the letter A: Some trendy girl baby names starting with the letter A are Afrah (joy/delight/happiness) and Aadrika (mountain/celestial).

Girl baby names starting with the letter B: Some trendy girl baby names starting with the letter B are Bella (beautiful) and Bhanavi (daughter of the Sun/illuminating; sacred).

Girl baby names starting with the letter C: Some trendy girl baby names starting with the letter C are Charvi (beautiful/lovely) and Chetna (power of intellect/awakening/alert).

Girl baby names starting with the letter D: Some trendy girl baby names starting with the letter D are Deepal (light) and Dulari (beloved/dear).

Girl baby names starting with the letter E: Some trendy girl baby names starting with the letter E are Elina (bright/intelligent/shining) and Ernika (sunlight).

Girl baby names starting with the letter F: Some trendy girl baby names starting with the letter F are Farah (happiness/beautiful pleasant) and Falvi (cute/lovable).

Girl baby names starting with the letter G: Some trendy girl baby names starting with the letter G are Gitali (one who loves songs/ melodious) and Ghazia (warrior/ conqueror).

Girl baby names starting with the letter H: Some trendy girl baby names starting with the letter H are Hannah (grace/favor) and Hamsa (swan).

Girl baby names starting with the letter I: Some trendy girl baby names starting with the letter I are Ipsa (desire/ambition) and Ibrah (advice/wisdom).

Girl baby names starting with the letter J: Some trendy girl baby names starting with letter J are Jagriti (awakening/vigilance) and Jameela (beautiful/graceful).

Girl baby names starting with the letter K: Some trendy girl baby names starting with the letter K are Kashvi (bright/shining/glowing) and Krupa (kindness/favor/blessing/grace; ).

Girl baby names starting with the letter L: Some trendy girl baby names starting with the letter L are Laya (the rhythm of music) and Lucia (light).

Girl baby names starting with the letter M: Some trendy girl baby names starting with the letter M are Mehal (cloud) and Mishti (a sweet person).

Girl baby names starting with the letter N: Some trendy girl baby names starting with the letter N are Nidhi (wealth/treasure) and Nishma (bright/moonlight/eyes).

Girl baby names starting with the letter O: Some trendy girl baby names starting with the letter O are Oorja (energy) and Onella (light).

Girl baby names starting with the letter P: Some trendy girl baby names starting with the letter P are Pavani (pure/chaste) and Purvi (first/from the east/a classical melody).

Girl baby names starting with the letter Q: Some trendy girl baby names starting with the letter Q are Qareen (companion/friend) and Qismat (fortune/destiny).

Girl baby names starting with the letter R: Some trendy girl baby names starting with the letter R are Rasika (connoisseur/ passionate/ elegant) and Rufaa (kind/affectionate).

Girl baby names starting with the letter S: Some trendy girl baby names starting with the letter S are Sajili (decorated) and Sagarika (wave/born in the ocean).

Girl baby names starting with the letter T: Some trendy girl baby names starting with the letter T are Tisha (happiness/strong-willed) and Tabassum (smile/ happiness/beautiful flower).

Girl baby names starting with the letter U: Some trendy girl baby names starting with the letter U are Uditi (rising sun) and Ujavla (brightness/ like an angel).

Girl baby names starting with the letter V: Some trendy girl baby names starting with the letter V are Vanessa (butterfly) and Vanya (gracious gift of God/ God is gracious).

Girl baby names starting with the letter W: Some trendy girl baby names starting with the letter W are Wafa (loyalty/ faithfulness) and Wilona (desired/hoped for/longed for).

Girl baby names starting with the letter X: Some trendy girl baby names starting with the letter X are Xara (shining/softness/flower) and Xami (full of wisdom/one who knows everything).

Girl baby names starting with the letter Y: Some trendy girl baby names starting with the letter Y are Yashila (famous/successful) and Yutika (jasmine flower).

Girl baby names starting with the letter Z: Some trendy girl baby names starting with the letter Z are Zabia (like a deer) and Zaara (blossoming flower/light/dawn).

Modern girl baby names

Ada (prosperous; ornament; graceful; noble), Dia (divine/lamp), Hanita (divine grace) and Tanvi (delicate/caring/loving beautiful/Goddess Durga) are some of the modern girl baby names.

Unique girl baby names

Some of the unique girl baby names are Disha (direction), Gamya (beautiful/destiny), Parnavi (bird) and Esha (pleasure; desire/purity/Goddess Parvati).

Trending girl baby names

Some trending girl baby names include Ishya (spring season), Tania (fairy queen; princess), Leya (music/ rhythm) and Hana (happiness/flower/blossom).

Traditional girl baby names

Some traditional girl baby names that parents still prefer are Madhavi (sweet honey/flowering creeper), Soudamini (lightning), Catherine (pure/clear) and Rizwana (angel or guardian of paradise/beautiful).

Tips for choosing the best baby name

Here are some useful tips to help you choose a unique name for your newborn baby:

Your child's name is the unique identity that will remain with her forever. So, be very careful in choosing one. It would not only make you feel happy but also keep your child delighted throughout her life. So, research well before you pick the right name. For, it's a parental duty that you shouldn't shy away from.