Sanskrit name for a Pakistani baby?

[Abitofadilemma]

I love Sanskrit names & I’m totally non-religious, we like many aspects of eastern spirituality (Buddhism & Hinduism) and I personally love the stories behind the names. However, is it a big no no to give future DD a Sanskrit name if we are not technically Hindu & Indian? Our families are Muslim/ Pakistani. We don’t really like any of the more “neutral names” and I have my heart set on a few Sanskrit names that I love which DH also likes. The names I like are quite strongly associated to the Hindu religion, some of them have indirect associations to goddesses. Neither of us have an issue with it because we are both very open minded and like all religions! I can see this might be quite controversial though and perhaps uncomfortable for DD growing up? I’m so confused & don’t know if I’m just going round in circles in my mind needlessly making a bit deal out of nothing!

I personally didn’t use Sanskrit names as a Hindu because due to the limited vocabularly in the language (it’s similar to Arabic in that context) almost all names and words have a religious context. And I don’t consider official Hinduism which was invented in the bigger southern and eastern kingdoms as my religion. My form of hindusim came from the female idol worship that travelled from syria and the middle east during the persian empire. My name, my surname, my language all have roots in persia.

@GrumpyHoonMain That’s really interesting!! Do you know any names that could have Hindu & Zoroastrian roots? I’ve always found the female idol worship in Persia really interesting. It’s really fascinating how Anahita is a Persian goddess of fertility, love and water and the Anahata Chakra in Hinduism is the “heart” chakra. Tara is another name which is both Persian, Hindu & Buddhist. Tara is a goddess in Tantric Buddhism.

I love the name Tara! Means star in Hindi and is also gender neutral.

Your posts really go deep with me and I feel for you. In India there’s a lot of overlap between communities but it’s still out there to marry someone of a different caste and class, never mind religion. In London I know so many interfaith and multiracial families. I hope you find a name you’re happy with, which suits the full spectrum of your beliefs X

I don't feel I can comment on whether it's offensive or not. But I know many families where the couple are of different ethnic and religious backgrounds and have chosen names which they feel fit who they are, not necessarily the religion they grew up with. For example I have one friend who is of Pakistani origin and who married a guy who was of Indian origin - the names of their children were probably the least significant thing for their families to come to terms with - but they picked names which work well in the UK but have nods to both their heritages as well.
I only have one friend who I think it would be an issue for - all 3 of her children are named after Hindu deities and they are deeply religious. I have many other Hindu friend and colleagues who wouldn't bat an eyelid (but who are the equivalent of Christmas and Easter churchgoers) so I guess people will have different perspectives. I think that I am uncomfortable with the idea that certain names should be solely the preserve of one group of people - but I think that assumptions might be made about your child's heritage if you do use them.
(Of course for the majority of people in the UK any name from any of the heritages we've talked about will simply be seen as "foreign" and they won't have a clue where they came from ).

[quote Abitofadilemma]@GrumpyHoonMain That’s really interesting!! Do you know any names that could have Hindu & Zoroastrian roots? I’ve always found the female idol worship in Persia really interesting. It’s really fascinating how Anahita is a Persian goddess of fertility, love and water and the Anahata Chakra in Hinduism is the “heart” chakra. Tara is another name which is both Persian, Hindu & Buddhist. Tara is a goddess in Tantric Buddhism.[/quote]
If you search for Gujarati names you should find good ones. Name sites specifically steer you towards Hindu and Persian names seperately because they cater to the communities. In reality Gujarati Hindu naming convention follows Iranian / Persian ones and many names have persian or turkic roots and multiple meanings across languages. Eg Nehal (a form of Nehel) has persian, arabic, and (when it’s short for snehalata) sanskrit roots.

Zil is another good one. It’s actually a really popular Hindu and Muslim and Farsi name in the Gujarat. But different spellings are often used according to religion and the z might be substituted for j or dj. Similarly Gul - really popular. But Hindus and Muslim Gujjis tend to have another name attached to it - eg Gulrose, Gulshan, Gulsharan.

So yeah a bit complex lol

Sikh punjabi Indian here, ex-husband is a Hindu, we have 3 daughters, obviously Hindu-Punjabi's and I am TELLING you, if you don't name your gorgeous baby whatever you wish to name her, be it a name of Sanskrit origin or a name from any other Indian culture - I and my daughter's will be deeply, deeply offended!!!!

No one has any right to lay claim to a name, regardless of religious or cultural background. If anything, I find it's an honour that you want such influences in your new baby's life.

Now, personally I love these names:
Sia (derivative of Sita)
Avani (Earth)
Diya (Light)
Pari (Angel)
Kaira (Peaceful & Unique)
Ishika (Painters brush)

Disclaimer: My daughter's may or may not have one or more of these names :)

Whilst Hinduism is a philosophy that I and many of my friends follow it is also a religion that I am deeply grateful to be a part of. Its also a religion that is regularly mocked and belittled by others. You being Pakistani isn't relevant. Its the cultural appropriation that is offensive. Whether you are Australian or any non Hindu using a name steeped in our faith
A name denotes a sese of identity and belonging to so much.
A close friend of mine has a name that is outside of her faith and she feels so strongly about it that she intends to have it changed by deed poll
The whole linear argument doesn't sit well. If it offends so much then why name your child something that represents it? As this again represents yet another disparaging comment about a faith that is not properly understood.
And for the pp who asked if I had learnt anything from my faith yes I have. We are not allowed to strike forst but we are allowed to strike back. Have you no knowledge about your faith....

Hindu here. Go for it. No one has the rights to a name. Can't believe people taking offence here. My own practice of Hinduism is very inclusive.

@heyjude12 Where did you study your Hinduism?

An Australian can’t be a Hindu even if they’re a Hare Krishna?!

I’ve heard it all now.

Drainrat. I am well studied in my faith . Why do you want to know. When I said Australian it was obvious I meant a non Hindu Australian...
I don't understand why you are combative or so poorly educated about my faith.
I am hiding this thread now

@heyjude12 Oh dear me, flouncing off because you can’t answer a simple factual question?

I wonder why.

A Vaishnava is a “non-Hindu”?

Dear me, did you grow up watching Star TV?

Not flouncing off. Just agree with the old saying "you can't argue with stupid "

@heyjude12 Every post you’ve made emphasises both your unpleasantness and your ignorance.

Cultural appropriation is a Western concept that shows you know pitifully little about Indian history and philosophy.

Asking again - no argument just a fact: where did you study your Hinduism?

And again you show your ignorance. India is an amalgamation of states not a natural country
Hinduism is very different and practiced in many countries. Who is being ignorant now.
I am allowed my views .
You have stated that you follow my faith as a philosophy ratger than a religion. I follow it as both. Hindus are allowed to own their faith and culture as are other faiths.
I am not unpleasant but if you choose to believe I am that's your prerogative.
Why are you so threatened by anyone disagreeing with you?
Have a good life . Jai Shri Krishna

And I studied my Hinduism at a Arya Samaj temple

Absolute garbage . The texts are standard and taught in schools. Try reading some of them.

And I studied my Hinduism at a Arya Samaj temple

Which one, @heyjude12.

Your parents were short changed.

To be fair, everyone here is disagreeing with you, @heyjude12.

Schools where i was taught that Hinduism was all about the caste system....
Please accept that you are mo scholar and stop trying to teach what you dont know.
Calling someone a liar when you don't even know them is low even for you

"Your parents were short changed"
They disagree.

Your parents were short changed.
And also what a disgusting thing to say. You don't know if I have been orphaned.