In Eastern Religions, a rishi is an accomplished or enlightened person or a yogi who has composed hymns or Vedas. In the Vedas, it also refers to an inspired poem or hymn. In Buddhism, it may refer to a monk of high rank or a Buddha. The word itself may be derive from the Sanskrit root ṛṣ meaning “to move; to flow.”
Rishi is currently a common Indian male name, it is born by the current British Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak.
In the U.S., it currently ranks in as the 968th most popular male name (2023) and the 790th most popular in the U.K. and Wales (2021).
The feminine form is Rishika.
Other forms include:
- Ruesi តាឥសី (Khmer); ฤๅษี (Thai) ລືສີ (Lao).
Transcriptions
- ऋषि (Hindi, Nepali)
- ऋषी (Marathi)
- ऋषी (Bengali)
Sources