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!! :)

Most traditional names have a religious connection. You have some beautiful choices. Love Anjali. Can be annie for short

@habsboys2020 @Member589500 Thanks for the help! Anjali has lovely nn potentials! I like Tara but it just seems a bit bland compared to the others.

Given your circumstances and that your daughter is not going to be raised to practice Hinduism or Islam, I wonder if something like Nina, Meena, Natasha, Anita, Angela, Anoushka might be a good choice - very mainstream Indian names but also quite religiously neutral because they are western names too. Also seen muslim friends in mixed marriages use Sara, Lara, Laila, Amara, Sophia, Maya.
Your original list to me seem all very Hindu names (I am Hindu). Choosing a name which reflects 2 different cultures is difficult. If people want to criticise you they will, so you should choose the name you love but I also think in naming your child you are saying something about what you think is their identity. I really limited myself choosing a name for my daughter that worked in both cultures - in hindsight I would have just chosen the name I loved. People will make assumptions on your child’s race/religion on the basis of your/ her fathers names too if they are Asian - you won’t be able to get around it.

Also Meera/Mira

@Gardenista Thanks for all those suggestions, I really like some of them!

Definitely Anjali, in my opinion - we had a lovely girl with that name at school a few years back and I always adored it...

@LadyMonicaBaddingham It seems to be a favourite on mumsnet!

Tara is a beautiful name with a beautiful meaning. And its from lots of cultures therefore reducing the risk of offending

Anjali has a deep sanskrit meaning so doesn't feel very secular

I think I posted on a previous thread of yours (the one that got ugly because of someone with VHP views).

The actor Saif Ali Khan has Hindu-Muslim heritage and both his marriages were to Hindu women. His daughter is Sara IIRC.

Tara is a great cross-cultural name, as is Kavita and Varuna.

Not Vaishali - it’s the Indian equivalent of the Flying Scotsman 🤣

Do you like Vira (pronunciation Vee-ra)? It means life force or inner strength.

Perhaps Tara as middle name.

How about—
Anisha
Veda
Esha
Meena
Nila
Asha
Lina
Ila
Maya
Anita
Meera
Nalini
Sarita

Whats vhp?