Using India as a name in 2025

[Flippingfrogtasticfred]

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However I’m worried that it might read as a bit outdated or even offensive considering the colonial ties to the name.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?

I don't like it because I don't think association to India is nice one. I also don't really care for sound of India. I much prefer Cressida and Araminta than India and it's because I like mythological or really old and unusual literary names.

I think of India Knight. Who is keeping dubious company these days. ( It's not her real name).

I am of Indian heritage btw. As is India Knight. I wouldn't be outraged if you used it, but it does sound outdated.

I wouldn’t use India as a name- unless you are from India.

Binky Felstead (posh influencer) has an India who’s about 9. It is definitely posh and not much used, but I don’t think it’s considered offensive to use. I think you’d be fine.

Oh I’m just not sure we are posh enough to pull it off if it’s still classed as a pretty posh name!

I’m not a fan of India. It feels somewhat colonial, only starting to be used as a name after British rule in India. I know it’s had a long period use as a name and I don’t think she would be judged for her name but personally I’d avoid. It’s not that I think it’s offensive but I also don’t think it’s a neutral name either.

I have an Indie, is that a possible alternative for you? That's her whole name, but I have heard of it being a shortening of Indigo and Indiana too.

India Hicks is the grandaughter of Lord Mountbatten, so that's one good reason not to choose the name. It's also very dated, especially if you haven't got any connection to the country. It's sort of trying to be "posh" but failing as well.

Katie Hopkins has a daughter called India, so not a chance I’d use it!

I don't think there's anything wrong with the name!

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.

Absolutely would not cross my mind that it was offensive nor dated…!

India Willoughby.

Say no more!

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

I do think it's culturally insensitive, yes.

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?

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.

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

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

Beautiful name ❤️

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.

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.

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

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