Community & tradition
Madhesi & Maithili names
62 names
Names common in Madhesh, including Maithili, Bhojpuri and Bajjika-speaking communities. Names are shared across communities. Where a name is commonly used says nothing certain about any one person’s community, religion or caste.
- Janak♂जनकFather or progenitor
- Kishan♂किशनA name of Lord Krishna
- Yadav♂यादवDescendant of Yadu
- Janaki♂♀जानकीDaughter of Janak
- Thakur♂ठाकुरLord, master, chief
- Sona♀सोनाGold
- Kanhaiya♂कन्हैयाBeloved child
- Mithlesh♂मिथिलेशLord of Mithila, King Janak
- Sohan♂सोहनHandsome, beautiful and pleasing to look at
- Mithilesh♂मिथिलेशLord of Mithila
- Kisan♂किसानA name of Lord Krishna
- Rambali♂रामबलीStrength of Rama
- Lalbabu♂लालबाबुBeloved son
- Rampukar♂रामपुकारCall to Lord Rama
- Jibachh♂जीवछLong-lived
- Khushilal♂खुशीलालBeloved child of happiness
- Lalu♂लालुDarling, beloved child
- Rambaran♂रामबरनChosen by Rama
- Ramjanam♂रामजनमBirth of Rama
- Ramkewal♂रामकेवलOnly Rama
- Ramprawesh♂रामप्रवेशArrival or entry of Lord Rama
- Ramsinhasan♂रामसिंहासनThrone of Lord Rama
- Surajkumar♂सुरजकुमारSon of the sun
- Yadab♂यादवDescendant of Yadu
- Bihari♂बिहारीWanderer
- Chhotu♂छोटुLittle one
- Dukhan♂दुखन
- Gudiya♂♀गुडियाDoll
- Khushnandan♂खुसनन्दनJoyful son
- Lakhindra♂लखिन्द्रHero of the Behula-Lakhindar folk tale
- Lalan♂ललनFondling, caressing
- Mitalesh♂मितलेशLord of Mithila, King Janak
- Mithila♀मिथिलाAncient kingdom of King Janak
- Mukeshkumar♂मुकेशकुमारCombination of Mukesh (lord, Shiva) and Kumar (prince)
- Rambishwash♂रामबिश्वासFaith in Rama
- Ramdular♂रामदुलारBeloved of Rama
- Ramprit♂रामप्रीतOne who loves Lord Rama
- Ramshohag♂रामसोहागBlessed or fortunate one of Lord Rama
- Somwati♀सोमवतीPossessing the moon
- Sugan♂सुगनGood omen
- Bideha♂विदेहVideha, the ancient Mithila kingdom
- Chhote♂छोटेLittle one
- Chhotelal♂छोटेलालLittle darling
- Daroga♂दरोगाPolice inspector or superintendent
- Dukhi♂दुखीSorrowful
- Ghisiawan♂घिसियावन
- Jagarnath♂जगरनाथLord of the universe, a name of Lord Vishnu
- Jeebachh♂जीवछLong-lived
- Jeevachh♂जीवछLong-lived
- Jhanak♂झनकFather or progenitor
- Kanaiya♂कन्हैयाA name of Lord Krishna
- Kisun♂किसुनA name of Lord Krishna
- Lakhan♂लखनYounger brother of Lord Rama
- Malah♂मलाहArabic word for salt
- Mandalkusheshwar♂मण्डलकुशेश्वरCombination of Mandal and Kusheshwar
- Mithalesh♂मिथिलेशLord of Mithila, King Janak
- Rambilas♂रामबिलासDelight or joy of Rama
- Ramdhar♂रामधारOne who holds Rama in his heart
- Ramdrash♂रामदरशVision of Rama
- Shreelal♂श्रीलालBeloved of Lakshmi
- Sonalal♂सोनालालGolden son
- Sonelal♂सोनेलालGolden son
Guide
Madhesi and Maithili names with meaning
This page lists 80 names commonly used in Madhesi and Maithili families in Nepal. Many honor Lord Krishna, Lord Rama, King Janak and Goddess Sita, and others are loving words for a dear child. 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.
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Names from Mithila
Janak means father and is the name of King Janak, father of Sita. Janaki means daughter of Janak, and Mithilesh means lord of Mithila.
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Names of Krishna
Kishan and Kisan are variants of Krishna, and Kanhaiya means beloved child, a popular name of Lord Krishna.
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Words of affection
Lalbabu means beloved son, a darling boy. Sona means gold, one who is precious, and Sohan means handsome and pleasing to look at.
Madhesi and Maithili baby names in Nepal linked to Mithila
Several names in this list recall the story of King Janak and Sita. Janak means father or progenitor and is the name of Sita's father. Janaki means daughter of Janak and is a name of Goddess Sita; we list it as unisex. Mithilesh means lord of Mithila, a name for King Janak, and Mithlesh is a variant spelling. Names linked to Lord Rama appear too: Rambali means strength of Rama.
Loving names and names of Krishna
Many names celebrate Lord Krishna. Kishan is a variant of Krishna, and Kanhaiya means beloved child. Other names are terms of endearment. Lalbabu means beloved son. Sona means gold, someone precious and golden. Sohan means handsome. Browse more on our boy names and girl names lists, or compare traditions on names by community.
Shared across communities
A tag here only records that a name is commonly used in Madhesi and Maithili families. These names are used across Nepal, and a name never reveals anything about a person.
Tips for parents
- Check variant spellings, such as Mithilesh and Mithlesh, and choose one to use everywhere.
- Read the full meaning, since some names honor a deity and others are terms of affection.
- Ask grandparents how they say the name so the spelling matches the sound.
- Try the name combiner to hear a first name with your family name.
Frequently asked questions
What are some Madhesi and Maithili names with meaning for girls?
Sona means gold, one who is precious and golden. Janaki means daughter of Janak and is a name of Goddess Sita; we list it as unisex. Both have pages with their Nepali spellings.
What does Mithilesh mean?
Mithilesh (मिथिलेश) means lord of Mithila and refers to King Janak, father of Sita. Mithlesh is a variant spelling with the same meaning. Both are listed as boy names.
What does Kanhaiya mean?
Kanhaiya (कन्हैया) means beloved child and is a popular name of Lord Krishna. It is a boy's name tagged as commonly used in Madhesi and Maithili families on our site.
Does a Madhesi or Maithili name show a person's community?
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 caste, ethnicity or background.