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NepalNames
नेपाली

Community & tradition

Buddhist tradition names

162 names

Names associated with Buddhist concepts and Himalayan Buddhist naming practice. Names are shared across communities. Where a name is commonly used says nothing certain about any one person’s community, religion or caste. Boy Names only · Girl Names only

Guide

Buddhist names with meaning, from Siddhartha to Karuna

This page lists 164 Buddhist names commonly used in Buddhist families in Nepal. Many speak of wisdom, compassion and joy, and several link to the life of the Buddha. Each entry has its meaning and Nepali spelling. These names are also shared across communities, so a name never tells you anything about a particular person.

  1. Linked to the Buddha

    Siddhartha is the birth name of Gautama Buddha, Gautam is the Buddha's family name, and Rahul is the name of the Buddha's son.

  2. Wisdom and compassion

    Pragya means wisdom and insight, Karuna means compassion and kindness towards all beings, and Dharma means righteousness or moral law.

  3. Joy and good fortune

    Ananda and Anand mean bliss and joy, Ashok means without sorrow, and Sonam means fortunate or meritorious.

Buddhist baby names in Nepal tied to the Buddha's story

Several names carry a link to the Buddha's life. Siddhartha means one who has accomplished his aim and is the Buddha's birth name. Gautam is his family name. Rahul means conqueror of miseries and was the name of his son. Sujata means well-born and is the name of the woman who offered rice-milk to the Buddha. These names are also used widely beyond Buddhist families.

Buddhist names with meaning for girls and boys

Many names describe a quality to live by. Karuna means compassion. Pragya means wisdom and insight. Tara means star and is also the name of the Buddhist goddess Tara, and we list it as unisex. Ashok means without sorrow. Compare these with other groups on our names by community page, or browse the unisex names list.

Shared across traditions

A tag here only records that a name is commonly used in Buddhist families. Names such as Ananda and Kailash are used across many communities. Explore themes like wisdom or joy on names by meaning.

Tips for parents

  • Choose a quality you hope for, like compassion or wisdom, and look for names that share it.
  • Read each entry, since some names, like Tara, carry more than one meaning.
  • Check both Ananda and Anand to see which spelling suits your family.
  • Say the full name aloud with your surname before you decide.

Frequently asked questions

What are some Buddhist names that mean compassion?

Karuna (करुणा) means compassion, mercy and kindness towards all beings. It is a girl's name. Ashok, meaning without sorrow, and Ananda, meaning bliss, are other gentle choices from this list.

What was the Buddha's birth name?

The Buddha's birth name was Siddhartha, meaning one who has accomplished his aim. His family name was Gautam. Both are listed on our site as boy names.

What are good Buddhist baby girl names in Nepal?

Karuna (compassion), Pragya (wisdom, insight), Sujata (well-born) and Manju (lovely, charming) are all commonly used. Tara, meaning star, is listed as unisex.

Does a Buddhist name show a person's religion?

No. Our tags only record where a name is commonly used. Names are shared across communities in Nepal, and a name never reveals a person's religion or background.