Which of these Indian names would you consider to be secular?

[Babyonthewaysoon]

Baby girl will be of mixed Indian & Pakistani heritage and from Hindu and Muslim backgrounds. We won’t raise her to follow either faith because we’re not religious. We want an Indian name, not an Arab or Persian one!
Some that we have considered but aren’t sure if they are appropriate or not for a Muslim/ Hindu background but non-religious child? Honest opinions please!
Anjali
Deepika
Diya
Tara
Sima
Avani
Nisha
Disha
Vidya
Vaani
Anjana
Rohini
Aditi
Jaya
Shreya
Vaishali
Ambika
Shaila
Ankita
Ananya

Suggestions are more than welcome!! :)

I love Diya

Anya or Avni?

I don't know that it will be easy to find a secular one

I don't think too much about the meaning of names but Anjali can mean offering or gift to god.

I'd just pick what you like, a religious person is bound to find a link somewhere.

They to me seem like Hindu names and nor just Indian alone. I haven't seen any in the list that have any inkling towards the Muslim side too.
I'll add Samah

Speaking as a non-Hindu/Muslim, Diya makes me think of Diya lamps and Tara has Irish associations for me.

I still love Anjali the most from your list. I can't speak to any religious associations it or the others might have.

I like Nisha and Jaya, but don't have a Muslim or Hindu background so have no idea if they're secular or not.

All the names on your list are secular. Go with whatever sounds good to you. I like Tara, Nisha and Vidya from your list

@AcornAutumn @SionnachRua We could spell Anjali like Angelie for the western version but I think that would look odd and kind of ruin the beauty of the original Sanskrit name. Angelie looks like a totally different name. The offering/ gift to god meaning is lovely to us as long as it’s not too controversial for others! It’s so hard to know with names.

@Beseigedbykillersquirrels Anya / Avni are lovely, thanks!

@Babyonthewaysoon I really liked Anvi when I was pregnant but I appreciate it's the name of a goddess so might not be appropriate for your family. I also liked Rushi but then a new takeaway with that name opened and I went off it.

What about Rita?

Anjali is beautiful as it is, I really wouldn't adjust the spelling for the West. I also don't think it's that tricky to grasp pronunciation wise? Seems like it would travel well.

Anjali is lovely.

Angelie isn't.

I would think of Gone with the Wind with Tara.

Thanks to all the posters for all the comments & advice so far on here!

@SionnachRua Do you think Anjali could offend others in the Hindu community? The meaning of the name doesn’t seem too religious in itself to me but I know that the word Anjali is used in the context of anjali mantras for puja etc. I think it’s beautiful. Used in dance & yoga too. I know we have to stay away from any specific goddess names - I think Anjali is quite safe to use but I don’t know whether others in the Hindu community will be ok with it.

@KirstenBlest I agree!

How about Sara? I've seen that used by both Hindu and Muslim parents.

Not of Indian/Pakistani/Hindu/Muslim heritage myself, but I find this a fascinating thread. We did need to name our DC a name that worked in two languages/cultures and that was hard enough!

OP, can I ask something please? Is it the case that you'd prefer a name with no religious connotations? Or rather that other (religious) people would find it offensive that a name with religious connotations is used?

From my secular ('Western') perspective, I think it's unavoidable that many names I like have a Jewish-Christian flavour. Our DC has a specifically non-religious name, but I personally would not find it an issue if it, say, it appeared in the Bible.

PS: I think Anjali is beautiful!

Tara is very nice. I know a Tara and she's so stylish! It's a name that sound good for a child and adult.

I thought Tara was Irish?

@stickygotstuck It’s really tough! I’ve been so stressed about it! We personally love all the names, even the goddess/ religious names but we know that it’s probably best to avoid really religious names in this unique situation - someone in the family is bound to get annoyed that the name is not Hindu enough or not Muslim enough but we are just going to make the decision based on what we like and then just tell them DD’s name. I’m more worried about other people outside of the family getting offended that the name has religious connotations because our daughter will be from a mixed background. Are we allowed to call DD Anjali, or Shreya or Rohini for example if she is not fully a Hindu by birth? Are other Hindus going to get annoyed... These are the sort of questions that are haunting me and keeping me up at night! A part of me wants to not worry about it but deep down I am quite anxious about it.

Anjali is a common name amongst Hindus so can’t imagine why a Hindu would be offended

I know an Anjali, of non religious, mixed Caucasian/ Indian heritage. Its very pretty

Tara is used by both Irish and Indian people (amongst others), not linked but just coincidence.

I actually think it's a brilliant name as she could live most places in the world and her name will be pronounced correctly! It's also very pretty. I know it's a goddess (and wouldn't say "maybe muslim" to me at all) but as it's so international it think that's fine.

I also find Nisha very cute

My children are mixed and have Sanskrit/ Hindu names and no one from either community has expressed any concern. Surely that just down to manners and if people are rude you ignore them.

Love Anjali- had thought of Sophia if we had a daughter which is, I think of Indian/Pakistani region origin and also works well in the UK.