Every generation of Indian parents draws from more or less the same well of popular names — Arjun, Priya, Rahul, Pooja. These are lovely names, but they represent only a sliver of India's staggering nomenclatural heritage. Buried in temple inscriptions, copper-plate grants, and the court records of empires that once rivalled Rome and China lie hundreds of extraordinary names that have fallen silent. Names that once commanded armies, patronised poets, and built monuments that still stand. This article is an excavation — a recovery of names from three of India's greatest empires — and an argument for why they deserve to be spoken again.
The Mauryan Empire (322–185 BCE): Names of First Unity
The Mauryan Empire was India's first great unifier. Under Chandragupta Maurya and his grandson Ashoka, the empire stretched from Afghanistan to Bangladesh, governing one of the largest polities in the ancient world. The names from this era are striking in their directness — they carry the weight of ambition, wisdom, and dharma.
Names for Boys
| Name | Meaning / Significance | Historical Figure |
|---|---|---|
| Chandragupta | "Protected by the Moon" — chandra (moon) + gupta (protected) | Founder of the Mauryan dynasty |
| Bindusara | "Drop of strength" — bindu (drop/essence) + sara (strength) | Second Mauryan emperor |
| Ashoka | "Without sorrow" — a (without) + shoka (grief) | The great emperor who embraced dharma |
| Chanakya | Derived from "Chanaka" — possibly a village name; alternatively linked to "chana" (conviction) | The legendary strategist and philosopher |
| Dasharatha | "One with ten chariots" — symbolising supreme strength | Mauryan emperor (grandson of Ashoka) |
| Brihadratha | "Great chariot" — brihad (great) + ratha (chariot) | Last Mauryan emperor |
| Kunala | "Lotus" or after the Kunala bird (Indian cuckoo) | Son of Ashoka, known for his beautiful eyes |
| Radhagupta | "Protected by prosperity" — radha (prosperity/success) | Mauryan minister and ally of Ashoka |
Names for Girls
| Name | Meaning / Significance | Historical Context |
|---|---|---|
| Durdhara | "Unconquerable" — dur (difficult) + dhara (to hold) | First wife of Chandragupta Maurya |
| Devi | "Goddess" — the divine feminine | First wife of Ashoka, mother of Mahendra and Sanghamitra |
| Sanghamitra | "Friend of the assembly/community" — sangha + mitra (friend) | Daughter of Ashoka; brought Buddhism to Sri Lanka |
| Karuvaki | Possibly "she who brings grace" | A beloved queen of Ashoka, mentioned in the Karuvaki edict |
| Charumati | "Beautiful-minded" — charu (beautiful) + mati (intellect) | Daughter of Ashoka according to Nepalese traditions |
| Padmavati | "She of the lotus" — padma (lotus) + vati (possessing) | A Mauryan-era queen |
While "Ashoka" hasn't been entirely forgotten, it remains surprisingly rare as a given name compared to its historical stature. It is arguably the most powerful name-meaning combination in Indian history: a man who caused immense sorrow through war, then renamed himself as "the sorrowless one" after choosing peace.
The Gupta Empire (320–550 CE): India's Golden Age
The Gupta period is often called India's Golden Age — an era of extraordinary achievement in science (Aryabhata), literature (Kalidasa), medicine (Sushruta), and art (Ajanta caves). The names from this period carry an unmistakable elegance, reflecting a civilisation at the height of its cultural confidence.
Names for Boys
| Name | Meaning / Significance | Historical Figure |
|---|---|---|
| Samudragupta | "Protected by the ocean" — samudra (ocean) + gupta | The "Napoleon of India"; greatest Gupta warrior-king |
| Kumaragupta | "The prince protected" — kumara (prince/son) | Gupta emperor who founded Nalanda University |
| Skandagupta | "Protected by Skanda" (god of war) | Gupta emperor who repelled the Huns |
| Kalidasa | "Servant of Kali" — the divine mother | India's Shakespeare; author of Shakuntala and Meghaduta |
| Aryabhata | "Noble warrior" — arya (noble) + bhata (warrior/scholar) | Mathematician who calculated pi and Earth's rotation |
| Vasubandhu | "Kinsman of wealth/excellence" — vasu (wealth) + bandhu (kin) | Great Buddhist philosopher of the Gupta era |
| Harishena | "Army of Vishnu" — hari (Vishnu) + sena (army) | Court poet of Samudragupta |
| Vishnusharma | "Joy of Vishnu" — attributed author of the Panchatantra | Legendary fable-writer |
Names for Girls
| Name | Meaning / Significance | Historical Context |
|---|---|---|
| Dhruvadevi | "Goddess of the Pole Star" — dhruva (constant/steady) | Queen of Chandragupta II |
| Kuberanaga | "Jewel of Kubera" (god of wealth) | Princess, wife of Chandragupta I |
| Prabhavati | "She who radiates light" — prabha (radiance) + vati | Daughter of Chandragupta II; powerful Vakataka queen |
| Shakuntala | "Raised by birds" — from Shakunta (bird) | Heroine of Kalidasa's masterpiece |
| Mahadevi | "Great Goddess" — maha (great) + devi | Royal title and given name in Gupta inscriptions |
| Vasundhara | "Bearer of wealth/Earth" — vasu + dhara (to hold) | Common in Gupta-era literature |
The Chola Empire (300 BCE – 1279 CE): Maritime Kings of the South
The Chola dynasty is one of the longest-ruling in human history. At its zenith under Rajendra Chola I, the empire controlled not just Southern India but stretched maritime influence across Southeast Asia — from Sri Lanka to Indonesia. Chola names are distinctly Dravidian, carrying a rhythmic power that echoes across temple corridors and bronze inscriptions.
Names for Boys
| Name | Meaning / Significance | Historical Figure |
|---|---|---|
| Karikala | "Blackened leg" — from a fire incident in youth; a name of resilience | Early Chola king who built the Grand Anicut |
| Rajendra | "King of kings" — raja (king) + indra (chief) | Greatest Chola emperor; conquered Gangetic plains and Southeast Asia |
| Rajaraja | "King of kings" — the builder of Brihadeeswarar Temple | Rajaraja Chola I, one of India's greatest rulers |
| Kulottunga | "Elevated family" — kula (lineage) + tunga (lofty) | Three Chola emperors bore this name |
| Aditya | "Son of Aditi" / The Sun — a Vedic solar deity | Aditya Chola I, who expanded the empire |
| Parantaka | "Destroyer of enemies" — para (enemy) + antaka (destroyer) | Powerful Chola king |
| Vikrama | "Valour / Prowess" | Title and name used by multiple Chola princes |
| Sundara | "Beautiful / Handsome" | Sundara Chola, father of Rajaraja I |
Names for Girls
| Name | Meaning / Significance | Historical Context |
|---|---|---|
| Vanathi | "Of the forest" — a name of natural beauty and strength | Royal name in the Chola court |
| Kundavai | "She of the jasmine creeper" — a name of elegance | Sister of Rajaraja Chola I; an influential political figure |
| Sembiyan Mahadevi | "Great Goddess of the Sembiyan clan" | One of the most celebrated Chola queens; a great patron of temples |
| Cholamahadevi | "Great Goddess of the Cholas" | Royal consort title that evolved into a given name |
| Thirumalar | "Sacred flower garland" | Found in Chola-era Tamil inscriptions |
| Ponni | "Golden one" — from the river Kaveri's epithet | A beloved name in Tamil culture, immortalised in Kalki's Ponniyin Selvan |
Why These Names Deserve a Comeback
The case for reviving these names rests on three pillars:
- Uniqueness without invention: Parents searching for "unique" names often resort to made-up words or awkward spellings. Historical names offer genuine uniqueness with authentic roots — every name here has a documented origin and a real story behind it.
- Depth of meaning: Modern popular names often carry simple, pleasant meanings ("gift of God," "beautiful"). Historical names carry stories — of resilience (Karikala), of radical transformation (Ashoka), of world-changing intellect (Aryabhata). They give a child not just a name, but a narrative.
- Cultural reclamation: Using a name like Sanghamitra or Rajendra or Prabhavati connects a 2026 child to a 2,000-year-old civilisational thread. It is an act of cultural continuity that no algorithm can provide.
Further Reading
- The Science and Significance of Nakshatras in the Namkaran Ceremony
- Regional Naming Conventions: How Names Differ Across India
- Modern Indian Names Inspired by Nature and Elements
Editorial note
This article was prepared by the Naamakaran editorial team as an accessible overview of historical Indian naming inspiration.
Interpretations of historical usage can vary across sources and regions. Read our Editorial Policy or contact us to suggest an improvement.