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नेपाली

Boy Names

Buddhist boy names

131 names

131 boy names commonly given in the Buddhist tradition, most popular first. Names are shared across communities. Where a name is commonly used says nothing certain about any one person’s community, religion or caste.

Guide

Buddhist boy names in Nepal, from Siddhartha to Ananda

This page gathers 131 boy names commonly given in the Buddhist tradition, and 17 of them are also used for girls. Many point to the Buddha's life or to qualities worth living by, such as joy, steadiness and a mind at ease. Names are shared across communities in Nepal, so a name on this list never tells you anything certain about a person's religion, community or caste.

  1. Names from the Buddha's life

    Siddhartha means one who has accomplished his aim and was the Buddha's birth name. Gautam is his family name, and Rahul was his son.

  2. Joy and steadiness

    Ananda and Anand mean bliss and joy. Dharma means righteousness or moral law.

  3. Precious and gentle

    Mani and Ratna both mean a jewel. Sonam means fortunate or meritorious.

Buddhist boy names linked to the Buddha's story

Siddhartha (सिद्धार्थ) means one who has accomplished his aim. Gautam (गौतम) is the Buddha's family name. Rahul (राहुल) means conqueror of miseries and was the name of his son. Ananda (आनन्द) means bliss, and Ashok (अशोक) means without sorrow. Kunal means a bird with beautiful eyes, and also lotus. Buddha means the awakened or enlightened one. See more on our Buddhist boy names page.

Buddhist names for boys with qualities to live by

Dharma (धर्म) means righteousness and moral law. Mani means a jewel, and Ratna means a gem. Sonam (सोनाम) means fortunate or meritorious. Kailash names the sacred Himalayan mountain. Nima means sun, and Maya means love and affection in Nepali, as well as illusion. These names are shared widely, so browse Buddhist names for girls to see the other side of the list.

Tips for parents

  • Choose a quality you hope to encourage, such as Ananda's joy or Dharma's steadiness, and let the meaning lead.
  • Note that Ananda, Anand and Aanand are the same name in different spellings; pick one form for documents.
  • Consider Mani or Ratna if you want a short name that also works for a daughter.
  • Say the full name with your surname, since a longer form like Siddhartha can carry a lot of weight.

Frequently asked questions

What are some Buddhist boy names used in Nepal?

Siddhartha, Gautam, Rahul, Ananda and Dharma are common. Siddhartha means one who has accomplished his aim, Gautam is the Buddha's family name, Rahul means conqueror of miseries, Ananda means bliss, and Dharma means moral law.

What does the name Sonam mean?

Sonam means fortunate or meritorious. It is written सोनाम and is given to boys and girls alike.

Does a Buddhist name tell you a person's religion?

No. The list records names commonly given in the Buddhist tradition, but names are shared across communities in Nepal, and a name says nothing certain about an individual's religion, caste or community.

Where can I find more names to compare?

See Buddhist names for girls or the full Buddhist name list. For a wider view, browse all boy names.