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NepalNames
नेपाली

Linguistic origin

Tibetan-origin Nepali names

44 names

44 names used in Nepal whose etymology traces to Tibetan. A name’s linguistic origin is separate from the communities that use it. Girl Names only

Guide

Tibetan names and their meanings

Tibetan names are short, bright and often tied to the day of the week a child is born. This page lists 44 names of Tibetan origin used in Nepal, such as Sonam, Pema and Tsering. Origin means the language a name's root comes from. It says nothing about which families or communities use the name.

  1. Names for each weekday

    Several names are linked to a day of the week. Nima means sun and Sunday-born, Dawa means moon and Monday, and Pemba is given to a Saturday-born child.

  2. Blessings in a name

    Tsering and Chhiring mean long life, and Sonam means fortunate or meritorious. These names carry a hope for the child's future.

  3. Mostly unisex

    Many Tibetan names, including Sonam, Pema, Pasang and Lakpa, are listed as unisex, so they suit a boy or a girl.

Weekday Tibetan origin Nepali names

A well-known feature of Tibetan names is the link to the day of birth. Nima means sun and is given to a child born on Sunday. Dawa is the word for moon and also a name for Monday. Mingma means born on Tuesday, Lakpa born on Wednesday, Pasang is given to a Friday-born child, and Pemba to a Saturday-born child. Some names add a prefix, as in Aangnima, which combines Ang and Nyima (sun).

Tibetan baby names in Nepal with deeper meanings

Other names describe a quality or a blessing. Sonam comes from Tibetan bsod nams, meaning merit. Pema means lotus and is the Tibetan form of Padma. Tsering means long life, and Jampa means loving kindness and is associated with Maitreya Buddha. Compare these with other origins on the names by origin page, or browse all unisex names.

Spelling and pronunciation

Tibetan names can have several Roman spellings, such as Tsering and Chhiring, or Lakpa and Lhakpa. Our pronunciation guide helps you choose a spelling that matches how you say it.

How to choose

  • Pick a spelling and use it the same way on every document.
  • Read each entry, since similar spellings can be listed for different genders.
  • Short Tibetan names pair well with a longer middle name.
  • Try the name combiner to hear a first name with your family name.

Frequently asked questions

What Tibetan names mean born on Sunday?

Nima means sun and is given to a child born on Sunday. Ngim, a variant of Ngima (Nyima), also means sun or Sunday-born, and Aangnima means born on Sunday, combining Ang and Nyima.

What does Sonam mean?

Sonam (सोनाम) means fortunate or meritorious. It comes from the Tibetan bsod nams, meaning merit. We list it as a unisex name, so it works for a boy or a girl.

Are Tsering and Chhiring the same name?

They share a meaning. Chhiring comes from Tibetan Tsering, and both mean long life, a blessing of longevity. Families choose the spelling that matches how they say the name.

Does a Tibetan name show a person's community?

No. Origin only describes the language of a name's root. Tibetan names are shared across communities in Nepal, and a name never reveals anything about a person's background or beliefs.