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NepalNames
नेपाली

Community & tradition

Sherpa names

73 names

Sherpa names, many of Tibetan origin and often linked to the weekday of birth. 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

Sherpa names with meaning, day by day

This page lists 73 Sherpa names, all commonly used in Sherpa families in Nepal. Many are short and unisex, and several are tied to the day of the week a child is born, like Nima (Sunday) and Pemba (Saturday). Names are shared across communities, so a name on this list never tells you anything about a particular person.

  1. Weekday names

    Nima is given to a Sunday-born child, Dawa is linked to Monday, Mingma means born on Tuesday and Lakpa means born on Wednesday.

  2. Many are unisex

    Sonam, Nima, Pema, Pasang and Pemba are all listed as unisex, so the same name can suit a boy or a girl.

  3. Hopeful meanings

    Sonam means fortunate or meritorious, Pema means lotus, and Jampa means loving kindness, a name associated with Maitreya Buddha.

Sherpa baby names in Nepal linked to weekdays

Many Sherpa names are linked to the day of birth. Nima means sun and is given to a child born on Sunday. Dawa means moon and is also a name for Monday. Mingma means born on Tuesday, and Lakpa and Lhakpa mean born on Wednesday. Pasang is given to a Friday-born child, and Pemba to a Saturday-born child. Ang, a prefix meaning body or limb, is associated with the youngest in Sherpa names.

Sherpa names with meaning beyond the calendar

Other names describe a quality or a blessing. Sonam means fortunate or meritorious. Pema means lotus. Karma means action, deed or duty. Himali means of the Himalaya, a snowy mountain dweller. Many of these names have Tibetan roots, which you can explore on our names by origin page. To compare with other groups, see names by community or browse all unisex names.

Shared across communities

A tag here only records that a name is commonly used in Sherpa families. The same names are used in many other communities too, and a name never reveals anything about a person.

Tips for parents

  • If you like weekday names, check which name matches your baby's day of birth.
  • Pick one spelling, such as Lakpa or Lhakpa, and use it on every document.
  • Read each entry, since similar spellings may be listed for different genders.
  • Try the name combiner to hear a short first name with your family name.

Frequently asked questions

What Sherpa names mean born on Wednesday?

Lakpa and Lhakpa both mean born on Wednesday. Lakpa is listed as unisex and Lhakpa as a girl's name. Families choose the spelling that matches how they say it.

What does Ang mean in Sherpa names?

Ang comes from Sanskrit Anga, meaning body or limb. In Sherpa names, it is a prefix associated with the youngest. We list Ang as a unisex name.

What are some unisex Sherpa names with meaning?

Sonam (fortunate), Nima (sun, Sunday-born), Pema (lotus), Pasang (Friday-born) and Pemba (Saturday-born) are all listed as unisex. Himali, meaning of the Himalaya, is another option.

Does a Sherpa name show which community a person is from?

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.