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Baby names

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Original poster

Using India as a name in 2025

39 replies

Flippingfrogtasticfred · 13/11/2025 19:26

DH and I are expecting our first baby girl, we have found picking names even just for a shortlist to be a bit of a nightmare.
Today I met up with some friends and we were talking about a girl we used to know named India. It reminded her actually somewhat love the name and DH likes it too.
However I’m worried that it might read as a bit outdated or even offensive considering the colonial ties to the name.
When I was young in the 90s it was a name I really associated with the posh, chic girls that went to private school and had a pony, but I don’t really hear it at all these days and I’m aware it might have fallen a little downmarket in the 00s/2010s. Though my opinion might be guided by the India I knew was the child of millionaires and all her friends had names like Cressida and Minty.

So can India be used in 2025 or is it a bit dated and disrespectful to use now?

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Enko · 15/11/2025 12:27

I like it as a name and don6 find it particularly posh. Ive known 2 both lovely women neither posh..

Dee51121 · 15/11/2025 08:21

I was curious how many Indias were named last that year in England and Wales and there was exactly 100, so still a fair amount of people using it.

It wasn't as popular as Indie though (339 of those, plus 42 spelt Indi) but more popular than Indigo (78), Indiana (62) and Indira (16)

Ncforthiscms · 14/11/2025 12:53

I know an Indiana who goes by Indy...really suits her.

user1492757084 · 14/11/2025 07:43

India is fine. Indigo is a girl's name too.
Both names show positive favour to things - one is a country (India) and one is a blue colour.
Indira is a lovely name and often used by Indian people. Are you Indian, Op?
There are names from other cultures you also might like ...
Indra
Indrukala
Indrakshi

Inigo is a boys' name. Inigo Jones was the first well known British architect.
Indiana is also a boys' name. Indiana Jones being very well known.

StrongLikeMamma · 14/11/2025 07:09

AmberBeaker · 13/11/2025 23:14

Indigo nn Indie could be a nice alternative

That a boy’s name to me.

Snorlaxo · 14/11/2025 05:40

I would go for Indie (Indy?) instead.

I think it sounds colonial.

Mydadsbirthday · 14/11/2025 05:35

I don't think it has good associations - posh girls, India Knight, colonialism.

I love Indira and Indie though. I think either of those could be used.

Kulwinder54 · 13/11/2025 23:44

Im of Indian background and I dont find it offensive. But yes, too many stupid people around of that name who have ruined it.

Schnooples485 · 13/11/2025 23:43

I think it’s a very pretty name. Do you know anyone who is from India, to ask them what they think? I know someone who called their daughter Ibiza (with a different spelling) which I do find odd, but then it’s not well known as a name, unlike India. It’s likely any adult named India now and in the public eye will be ancient history by the time your daughter is an adult, so if you love the name don’t worry about that.

Hohumdedum · 13/11/2025 23:21

I would have similar qualms. I would use Indie, Indira, Indigo or another similar sounding name personally.

India makes me think of Gone With the Wind if any names from that appeal?!

What is it you like about India?

There's a thread here about name suggestions for people who like India.
https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/baby_names/4287922-Girls-name-ideas-similar-to-India

Girls name ideas similar to India | Mumsnet

I’m pregnant my with second which we found out is another little girl...which is great news expect we really struggled the first time round with girls...

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/baby_names/4287922-Girls-name-ideas-similar-to-India

AmberBeaker · 13/11/2025 23:14

Indigo nn Indie could be a nice alternative

McP13 · 13/11/2025 23:00

Love it.. but also love Indie would that be an option. Also know an Indiana maybe an option..

Ikeameatballs · 13/11/2025 22:59

I like the name but not the associations.

What else do you like?

Hotmess101 · 13/11/2025 22:54

How about Indira as an alternative? Traditionally Indian but quite international now.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indira_(name)

PolyVagalNerve · 13/11/2025 22:53

A name that makes me think of take away,
and bags of Bombay mix

Bournetilly · 13/11/2025 22:51

I don’t think it’s posh but it’s a nice enough name, Indie is an option too.

AnnoyingAlarm · 13/11/2025 22:49

India Willoughby is the first India that springs into my mind and that's not a great association.

I went to a private all girl's school and there were a few there - v much expat, swishy ponytail and tennis courts at home kind of name for me.

EconomyClassRockstar · 13/11/2025 22:45

I've always loved the name India but it didn't go with our surname so we didn't use it and then Katie Hopkins ruined it. I don't live in the UK so had to google who India Willoughby is. I thought she was Holly's daughter or something.

MummytoBoth · 13/11/2025 22:39

Beautiful name ❤️

ResusciAnnie · 13/11/2025 22:37

hobbledyhoy · 13/11/2025 21:32

Always reminds me of Katie Hopkins on This Morning when she said it was ‘chavvy’ to have children named after places and then it turned out her daughter was called India.
She’s so vile I couldn’t bear it for that reason.

Yup that's my first association too. Then the Empire.

cariadlet · 13/11/2025 22:36

I used to like India as a name but the vile India Willoughby has ruined it for me.

Kumquatzest · 13/11/2025 22:29

I think as India grows as a world power then the name may become more problematic. I also find the colonial aspect of the name a bit uncomfortable. From what I've read, India basically didn't exist as a given name in Britain before colonial rule. I'm sure some people don't care about the history but that would bother me personally.

Calliopespa · 13/11/2025 21:39

I think it is one of the few "place" names for people that I don't think are pretty awful, but I do think it has dated. I also think without any real or meaningful connection to the country, it's possibly a bit offensive in a sort of "oh how exotic! I might use the name" kind of way - a bit like dragging part of a wall or mosaic in a Unesco site as a souvenir!

I know a couple of Indigos who always go by Indie, and one is arty/posh, the other very mc if that helps?

KimHwn · 13/11/2025 21:39

I do think it's culturally insensitive, yes.

Ncforthiscms · 13/11/2025 21:38

Yep the katie hopkins india would mean a no for me 😬

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