Indian Western Baby Names for a Girl

[meera454]

Hi,

I have a few options for girls names that lean towards Indian/ Western / Hindu names, what are your thoughts? We want a first name starting with A ideally. Any middle name suggestions?

Alina Lavanya
Alina Shreya
Alina Kiara
Ahana Natasha
Ahana Shreya
Alissa Kiara
Alissa Shreya
Alissa Natasha
Alissa Lavanya
Alissa Serena
Alanna Shreya
Alanna Natasha

Alina Natasha is out even though we like it, as it may come across as more of a Russian name rather than Indian.
We ruled out Anya, Anoushka, Alisha, Asha, Anisha, Amisha and Annika as the sounds are a bit too harsh for our liking..

Leela and Siya were middle name options but got ruled out because we think they sound a bit too cute?

Thanks everyone!

I know it's not an A but Inteally like Maymunah/Maimouna nn May or Mouna

Ariyah is nice

Alissa Rani
Aliya Jasmine

Amali is nice, pronounced Am-ar-lee

Amali and any one of those suggestions as middle names.

It doesn't begin with an A, but Nalisha Lavanya would be lovely x

I think Alia and Amali are Arab names

Aditi or Anita

They’re lovely but they’re all Celtic or Germanic names, none of them are Indian or Hindu. From your list I’d pick Alanna Shreya. I’d avoid any with the repeated “na na” sound in the middle like Alanna Natasha because it’s difficult to pronounce.

@AnnnaBananna Thanks for the suggestions! I agree, the repeated 'n' sounds are a bit much.
Struggling to find names derived from Sanskrit that will travel well/ be easy to pronounce...

Alina is more arabic/muslim I think (I have a friend with this name) than hindu.
What about Anaya? Or Aruna?

@Trailing1 Ah really? I didn't realise, I thought it was a German name which could work well as an indo-western name, but thanks for pointing that out! We already have an Anaya in our extended family, I've also seen info online that it means something negative in Sanskrit, not exactly sure what I read but it put me off at the time.. Ananya was also an option but sounds a bit clunky in English. Aruna is nice, will add to the list.

Of your first name choices I like Alina and Alana (spelt this way if you are in the UK, as it's the most common spelling). Alina is used fairly internationally - I don't think it's too obviously Slavic and it's easy to say and spell.

Ahana isn't a well known name so could be misspelt, as could Alissa as there's a few spelling variations for that (Alyssa, Elissa, even Alicia etc).

I think the middle name doesn't matter so much (as most people won't be aware of it) so you could go as unusual/uncommon as you like there - it depends on your surname how it flows with the first name, so it's hard to make suggestions. I do like Serena though - I've met a couple of Indian/Hindi Serena's, have you considered it for the first name spot?

Would you consider another letter or does the first name have to start with an "A'?

@IamnotwhouthinkIam Thanks for all the suggestions! Really helpful. Serena was definitely an option but then I feel like the name is a bit boring to look at, too many 'e's, it is growing on me though. I do like Alina/ Alana / Alissa but they might sound very Arab/Muslim and not fit with our very indian surname... I can't see any of them as 'the one" so far.

@Trailing1 yes would definitely consider it..

Amrita (used by Hindu/sikh etc)
Aarti (hindi- I think that means prayer or spiritual offering)
Anjali, not sure what that means but ibe heard it used in indian/hindu culture

@Trailing1 Thanks for the suggestions, some really good ones, particularly like Anjali, will sound better than the other two in English.

What about the names Aanya or Amari?

I hope you manage to find a name you like.

I like
Abeni
Abhati
Adita
Aiyana
Alaia
Alari
Alisha
Amari
Amarta
Alisa

for middle names I really love the names of the godesses - Sita, Lakshmi, Devi, Saraswati

@TheVanguardSix Would you spell Aanya as Aanya or Aniya? Are they two different names?

@winechateauxjoy I quite like Alisha and Alisa, would you spell Alisa as Alisa or Alissa? Is Alissa a Sanskrit name?

New ideas to add to my list:
Serena Lavanya
Serena Natasha
Alissa Natasha
Alissa Lavanya
Alissa Serena
Ahana Siya
Ahana Leela

Does Lavanya sound clunky as a name?

I really like Lavanya. Never heard it before, but it sounds beautiful.

Have you considered Archana or Anjana?

Names from friends with similar background:

Rubina, usually known as Ruby
Yasmine
Devina
Indira, Indie for short

More names with Sanskrit origins here:
babynames.net/girl/sanskrit

I like Amala from the list above.

The only ones which sound Indian at all to me are Lavanya and Shreya, both of which roll off the tongue nicely.

The others sound either too British or Muslim (nothing wrong with either, just not sure if thats the vibe you're after). Will the baby be half indian, half british? or of indian origin born/brought up in UK?

Do you need boys names?
Know of boys of similar background called Kiran / Arun / Asher / Ashwin if that helps :)

good luck OP & congrats!