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NepalNames
नेपाली

Community & tradition

Kirat (Rai & Limbu) names

16 names

Names connected with Kirat cultural traditions, including Rai and Yakthung (Limbu) communities. 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

Guide

Kirat (Rai and Limbu) names with meaning

This page lists 18 names commonly used in Kirat (Rai and Limbu) families in Nepal. Some draw on Limbu words, and others recall figures and festivals of the Kirat Rai tradition. Each entry has its Nepali spelling. Names are shared across communities, so a name on this list never tells you anything about a particular person.

  1. A small, focused list

    We currently list 18 names tagged as commonly used in Kirat (Rai and Limbu) families. The list is short, so you can read every entry.

  2. Names with -hang

    Several names end in -hang, which means king in Limbu-style names. Ashuhang is one example, though the meaning of its first part is unclear.

  3. Rooted in tradition

    Sumnima is the primordial mother goddess of the Kirat Rai tradition, and Sakela is the name of the community's major festival.

Kirat (Rai and Limbu) baby names in Nepal and their meanings

A few names in this list come with clear meanings. Sumnima is the primordial mother goddess of the Kirat Rai tradition, consort of Paruhang. Summima is a variant spelling of the same name. Sakela is the name of the major festival of the Kirat Rai community and is listed as a girl's name. Chumlung is a Limbu word for an assembly or gathering. For some names, we do not yet show a meaning, and we would rather leave it blank than guess.

Shared names and how to read the tags

A tag on this page only records that a name is commonly used in Kirat (Rai and Limbu) families. It never says anything about the person who carries it. Names move between communities, and many families in Nepal choose names from more than one tradition. To compare groups, visit our names by community page. You can also browse unique Nepali names or traditional Nepali names for related ideas.

Tips for parents

  • Ask elders in your family how they say and spell the name before you register it.
  • Open each name's page to check whether a meaning is listed yet.
  • Pick one Roman spelling, such as Sumnima or Summima, and use it everywhere.
  • Use the name combiner to hear a first name with your family name.

Frequently asked questions

What does Sumnima mean?

Sumnima (सुम्निमा) is the primordial mother goddess of the Kirat Rai tradition, consort of Paruhang. It is listed as a girl's name. Summima is a variant spelling of the same name.

What does -hang mean in Limbu names?

In Limbu-style names, -hang means king. Ashuhang is one example on our site, though the meaning of its first part is unclear, so we do not guess at it.

What are some Kirat (Rai and Limbu) names with meaning for girls?

Sumnima, the mother goddess of the Kirat Rai tradition, and Sakela, named after the community's major festival, are both listed as girl names. Summima is listed as unisex.

Does a Kirat name show which community a person belongs to?

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 ethnicity or background.