Nihara is a Sanskrit female name which comes directly from the word for “mist; dew; fog; hoarfrost; snow.”
The masculine form is Nihar.
Another female form is Nihari.
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Pran is a male Indian given-name derived from the Sanskrit प्राण (prana), meaning, “breath; breath of life,” “life force” or, “vital energy.”
In Indian philosophy and yoga, prāṇa represents the universal life energy that animates all living beings.
The Thai feminine form Prani (ปราณี) combines this same Sanskrit root with the suffix -i, creating a meaning closer to “kind,” “merciful,” or “gracious.” In Thai and Pali contexts, Prani can also mean “a living being” or “one endowed with breath.” It is sometimes transcribed as Pranee.
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The name comes from Sanskrit मैथिली (Maithilī), meaning “from Mithila.” Mithila was the name of an ancient kingdom located in present-day Bihar (India) and parts of Nepal.
The most famous bearer of this name is Sita, heroine of the Ramayana. As the daughter of King Janaka of Mithila, she was called Mythili (“princess of Mithila”).
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The name Padma (पद्म) is derived from Sanskrit, meaning “lotus.” In South Asian tradition, the lotus is one of the most sacred flowers, symbolizing purity, beauty, spiritual awakening, and transcendence — a blossom that rises pristine from muddy waters.
Religious & Mythological Significance
Lakshmi: In Hindu texts, Padma is used as a by-name of the goddess Lakshmi, goddess of wealth, fortune, and prosperity. She is often depicted standing or seated upon a lotus, holding lotus flowers in her hands.
Vishnu: The lotus is also associated with Vishnu, Lakshmi’s consort, and the cosmic lotus from which the universe springs.
Attributes: The padma is one of the four attributes (ayudhas) often shown in iconography of deities — symbolizing purity, enlightenment, and divine perfection.
Buddhism & Jainism: The lotus also holds deep meaning in Buddhist and Jain traditions, where it represents spiritual liberation and the blossoming of wisdom.
The name is technically unisex but more commonly bestowed on females. A notable bearer is American author, Padma Lakshmi (b. 1970).
It is also the name of a major river in Bangladesh and in the Harry Potter series, Padma Patil is the twin of Parvati Patil.
International Variations
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Rudraksha रुद्राक्ष is a male Sanskrit name. It is the name of a genus of Eleocarpus plant. The seeds are considered sacred to Lord Shiva. They are harvested and dried to be used to create prayer beads in both Hinduism and Buddhism. The etymology is composed of the Sanskrit Rudra and अक्ष (akṣa), meaning “eyes.”
Another masculine for is Rudraksh.
Rudrakshi रुद्राक्षी is the feminine form.
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The name has come into recent use in India. It is most likely derived from the Sanskrit word स्मय (smaya), meaning “smile, wonder; surprise; astonishment.” Yet, it can also mean “arrogance; pride.” It is from the same Indo-European root as the English word, “smile.” The Danish female name, Smilla, is also related. All of these are ultimately derived from Indo-European root *smey- (to laugh, be glad, wonder).
It’s mainly used as a female name, but it does appear as the name of male character in the Purana.
It can also be a variant transliteration of the Arabic female name, Sumeyya.
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In the Hindu religion, Varahi is the name of one of the seven Matrikas (mother-goddesses). She is represented with a boar’s head. In Nepal, she is venerated as Barahi. She is especially venerated in Shaktism.
The name is from the Sanskrit वराही (varahi) meaning, “wild sow.” It is also the Sanskrit name for a species of sweet potato known scientifically as Ipomoea batatas.
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The name is derived from the Sanskrit, वृति (vrti), meaning, “selection; choice; boon.”
It is currently born by child actress, Vritika Gupta (b. 2010).
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All names are derived from the Sanskrit जीवा (life).
In Hinduism and Jainism, the term jiva is used to describe the soul.
Jiva can be unisex and was borne by the 4th-century (CE) Buddhist nun and sister of King Kucha as well as a 16th-century male Hindu philosopher and saint, Jiva Goswami.
Jiva ultimately derives from the Indo-European *gʷih₃wotós, which also produced the Latin vita (life), Lithuanian gyvatà (life) and Proto-Slavic *živòtъ (life). See Živa of the same etymology.
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From the Sanskrit root हर्ष (harsa) meaning “joy; delight; excitement.” It can also refer to sexual excitement or an erection. In Hinduism, Harsha is one of the twenty-four emanations of the celestial couple, Lakshmi and Narayana. It is also the name of one of the three sons of Dharmadeva and the husband of Nandi (also meaning “joy).
Harsha itself is unisex but is more common on males. It was born by a 7th-century Emperor of Kannauj of the Pushyabhuti dynasty in Northern India, also known as Harshvardhana or Harsh-Vardhana, and several other medieval Indian Kings as well as a 12th-century C.E. Sanskrit epic poet. A strictly masculine form is Harsh (HERSH).
Harshvardhana or sometimes spelled Harsh Vardhana is a masculine double name which means “increasingly happy,” being composed of the Sanskrit words, हर्ष (harsa) and वर्धन vardhana (increase; growth).
The feminine offshoot of Harshika derives from the same root but also refers to a type of musical metre.
Another feminine form is Harshini, which derives from the Sanskrit adjective हर्षिन् (harSin) meaning “delightful; joyful.” Harshini is also the name of a type of plant. This beautiful name is not pronounced har-SHEE-nee, but more like HERSH-e-nee or HERSH-nee, like Hershey Chocolate Kisses. There is also just Harshi, pronounced like Hershey.
And another female form is Harshita, which is of the same root being from the Sanskrit हर्षित (harsita) meaning, “pleased; gladdened; joy; happy; delight; charmed” or “made to stand erect.”
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