One can tell a lot about a Nepali boy or girl from their name.
The Nepalese naming convention for a newborn baby is largely similar to Indian naming customs. Often, after a baby is born, the parents consult an astrologer who looks at the horoscope and helps to pick a name for the newly born boy or girl.
The popular first-middle-surname order is followed for Nepali baby names. Nepali baby names for a baby are usually chosen by tradition and derived from names of Gods. In olden days, having names of a Hindu God or Goddess was very common. It is also very common to add middle names related to God as part of Nepalese baby names.
Nepali names such as Ram, Hari and Krishna are some of the most popular boy names in Nepal and Sita and Laxmi are popular Nepali names for girls. Common Nepalese names are picked from mythology and are often influenced by other ethnicities too. Nepali names from different languages and influences are common. Nepali baby names often have Sanskrit or Pali origin, but modern day names have had other influences. The current generation has also had influences for Nepali names from Bollywood movies. Nepali first names have been changing but surnames still remain traditional and members of certain ethnic groups pass down the same surnames to date. For example Pant and Bista are Nepali surnames which indicate that the person is a Brahmin. Nepali names like Pande, Thapa, and Bhasnet reveal that the person belongs to the Rana family and Shrestha is a higher class surname.
We've rounded up a list of Nepali names with meanings that you'll love. For more names inspiration, check out our articles on Tibetan names with meanings and these Filipino last names with meanings and history.
Nepali Boy Names
Nepalese boy names are often chosen based on family group and horoscope. Usually a name is chosen from a God’s name and surnames are inspired by the family's ethnic background. Pick a name you like from this list.
1. Aabesh (Sanskrit origin), meaning "anger" or "short tempered".
2. Aabishkar (Sanskrit origin), meaning "one with creative ability".
3. Aadesh (Sanskrit origin), meaning “command” or “message”.
4. Aaryan (Sanskrit origin), meaning "of Aryan descent".
5. Abhinav (Sanskrit origin), meaning “quiet new”.
6. Achut (Sanskrit origin), a name of Lord Vishnu. It also means “imperishable”.
7. Adarsh (Sanskrit origin), meaning “ideal”.
8. Akhil (Sanskrit origin), meaning “complete”. A good name for a boy.
9. Anish (Sanskrit origin), meaning “supreme”.
10. Babik (Hindi origin), meaning “revolution”.
11. Badal (Hindi origin), meaning “cloud” or “rain”.
12. Bappa (Hindi origin), meaning “father”.
13. Bhaskar (Hindi origin), meaning “sun”.
14. Bhupal (Hindi origin), meaning “prince”.
15. Bibidh (Hindi origin), meaning “miscellaneous”.
16. Bishwaraj (Hindi origin), meaning “ruler of world”.
17. Brijesh (Hindi origin), derived from name of God of the Land of Brij.
18. Cheetri (Sanskrit origin), meaning “basket full of honesty”.
19. Chetan (Sanskrit origin), meaning “life”.
20. Dawa (Hindi origin), meaning “moon”.
21. Deepson (Hindi origin), meaning “bright or son of a light”.
22. Denis (Hindi origin), meaning “follower of Dionysius”.
23. Dev (Hindi origin), meaning “God”.
24. Dharma (Hindi origin), meaning “law” or “religion”.
25. Fanindra (Hindi origin), derived from the name of a cosmic serpent sesh. A unique Nepali name for a baby boy.
26. Gagan (Hindi origin), meaning “sky” or “heaven”.
27. Ganesh (Hindi origin), derived from name of son of Lord Shiva.
28. Gaurav (Hindi origin), meaning “pride”.
29. Girish (Hindi origin), derived from the God of mountains.
30. Gyanu (Hindi origin), meaning “path of righteousness”.
31. Haridas (Hindi origin), derived from name of servant of Lord Vishnu.
32. Hem (Hindi origin), meaning “Himalayan snow”.
33. Indra (Sanskrit origin), meaning “excellent” or “first”.
34. Ishwar (Hindi origin), derived from name of a powerful Lord.
35. Jagadish (Sanskrit origin), meaning “ruler of world”.
36. Jeevan (Hindi origin), meaning “life”.
37. Kabir (Hindi origin), meaning “the great”.
38. Kamal (Hindi origin), meaning “lotus flower”.
39. Kanchan (Hindi origin), meaning “gold”.
40. Kapil (Hindi origin), derived from name of a sage.
41. Karun (Hindi origin), meaning “compassionate”.
42. Ketan (Hindi origin), meaning “home” or “banner”.
43. Kirtiman (Hindi origin), meaning “clever” or “glory”. A unique Nepali boy name.
44. Kovid (Hindi origin), meaning “enlightened one”.
45. Krsna (Sanskrit origin), relating to Lord Krishna. The most popular Nepali name.
46. Kumar (Hindi origin), meaning “prince”.
47. Lokesh (Hindi origin), meaning “king of world”.
48. Maansa (Hindi origin), meaning “intention” or “spiritual”.
49. Madan (Hindi origin), meaning “cupid, God of love”.
50. Madhav (Hindi origin), meaning “sweet like honey”.
51. Mahindra (Hindi origin), meaning “a king”.
52. Mangal (Hindi origin), meaning “auspicious”.
53. Manzil (Hindi origin), meaning “destination”.
54. Meera (Hindi origin), meaning “prosperous”.
55. Milan (Hindi origin), meaning “union”.
56. Mukti (Hindi origin), meaning “freedom from life and death”.
57. Mukul (Hindi origin), meaning “bud”.
58. Murali (Hindi origin), meaning “flute”.
59. Naval (Hindi origin), meaning “wonder”.
60. Neel (Hindi origin), meaning “deep blue”.
61. Nehan (Hindi origin), meaning “one with beautiful eyes”.
62. Nigam (Hindi origin), meaning “treasure”.
63. Nimish (Hindi origin), meaning “split second”.
66. Omprakash (Hindi origin), meaning “light of om”.
67. Pabitra (Hindi origin), meaning “clean” or “pure”. A unique Nepali boy name.
68. Paresh (Hindi origin), meaning “supreme spirit”.
69. Pavan (Hindi origin), meaning “purifying” or “wind”.
70. Prabal (Hindi origin), meaning “coral”.
71. Pradeep (Hindi origin), meaning “light” or “shine”.
72. Pratik (Hindi origin), meaning “symbol”.
73. Puru (Hindi origin), meaning “abundant” or “name of a king”.
74. Rabin (Hindi origin), meaning “sunny” or “bright”.
75. Rahul (Hindi origin), derived from the son of Lord Buddha.
76. Rakshek (Sanskrit origin), meaning “protector”. A unique Nepali boy name.
77. Rama (Sanskrit origin), meaning “lofty”. Inspired by Lord Ram, this is one of the most popular Nepali baby names.
78. Ranjit (Hindi origin), meaning “victorious”.
79. Raz (Hindi origin), meaning “inspiration”. A unique Nepali boy name.
80. Resham (Hindi origin), meaning “silk”.
81. Ridam (Hindi origin), meaning “music beats”.
82. Rituraj (Hindi origin), meaning “spring”. A unique Nepali boy name.
83. Roshan (Hindi origin), meaning “illumination” or “bright”.
84. Rudra (Hindi origin), derived from Lord Shiva.
85. Sabir (Hindi origin), meaning “patient” or “tolerant”.
Nepali Girl Names
Nepali baby girl names are usually chosen from the caste that girls represent and follow their tradition. You can pick a good name from this list of Nepali girl names.
86. Ada (Hindi origin), meaning "pure" or "graceful and noble".
87. Anupama (Hindi origin), meaning “matchless” or “unique”.
88. Akrodinni (Hindi origin), meaning “calm lady” or “wrathful”. A unique Nepali girls name.
89. Bagh (Hindi origin), meaning “garden”.
90. Bairagi (Hindi origin), meaning “independent”.
91. Bijayata (Hindi origin), meaning “winner” or “victorious”.
92. Chet (Hindi origin), meaning “a vivacious woman”.
93. Chaitna (Hindi origin), meaning “sunflower seed”.
94. Charushri (Hindi origin), meaning “beautiful fortune lady”.
95. Daxa (Hindi origin), meaning “clever” or “glorious”.
96. Deena (Hindi origin), meaning “divine” or “god like”.
97. Dipika (Hindi origin), meaning “lamp” or “beautiful”.
98. Eakveera (Hindi origin), derived from the name of the daughter of Lord Shiva.
99. Ferika (Hindi origin), meaning “free”. A good name to give your born girl when she is born.
100. Faleesha (Hindi origin), meaning “Indian tulip”. A unique Nepali girl name.
101. Gita (Hindi origin), meaning “song” or “Hindu holy text”.
102. Ganga (Hindi origin), the name of the sacred river of India.
103. Garima (Hindi origin), meaning “proud” or “dignity”.
104. Himani (Hindi origin), meaning”snow” or “glacier”.
105. Hreeta (Hindi origin), meaning “green”.
106. Irsia (Hindi origin), meaning “rainbow”. A unique Nepali girl name.
107. Ireshi (Hindi origin), meaning “queen”.
108. Jahan (Hindi origin), meaning “the world”.
109. Jwala (Hindi origin), meaning “fire” or “bravery”. A unique Nepali girl name.
110. Januka (Hindi origin), meaning “miracle” or “grace”.
111. Jenisha (Hindi origin), meaning “pretty girl”.
112. Koel (Hindi origin), the name of a river in Punjab.
113. Khavia (Hindi origin), meaning “dream”.
114. Karishma (Hindi origin), meaning “miracle”.
115. Laksmi (Hindi origin), meaning “observing” or “fortunate”. The most common female name in Nepal.
116. Mina (Hindi origin), meaning “will”.
117. Myra (Hindi origin), meaning “swift and light”.
118. Mithu (Hindi origin), meaning “friend” or “sweet”.
119. Mahini (Hindi origin), meaning “great” or “mighty”.
120. Mandira (Hindi origin), meaning “temple”.
121. Neeta (Hindi origin), meaning “within rules” or “gracious”.
122. Nisha (Hindi origin), meaning “night” or “perfect”.
123. Ojmana (Hindi origin), meaning “speedy” or “vigorous”. A unique Nepali girl name for your newly born baby.
124. Ojasini (Hindi origin), meaning “energetic”.
125. Pihu (Hindi origin), meaning “sound” or “chirp”.
126. Puja (Hindi origin), meaning “worship” or “prayer”.
127. Priti (Hindi origin), meaning “love” or “bonding”.
128. Pragya (Hindi origin), meaning “wisdom” or “intelligence”.
129. Rim (Hindi origin), meaning “white antelope” or “green land”.
130. Reya (Hindi origin), meaning “queen” or “angel”.
131. Richika (Hindi origin), meaning “rich” or “celebrating”.
132. Sani (Hindi origin), meaning “gift” or “prayer”.
133. Soma (Hindi origin), meaning “moon rays” or “a type of wine”.
134. Shila (Hindi origin), meaning “rock” or “thunder”.
135. Suhana (Hindi origin), meaning “pleasant” or “pure”.
136. Tulsi (Hindi origin), meaning “matchless” or “a medicine plant”.
137. Tripati (Hindi origin), meaning “satisfaction”.
138. Ulyana (Hindi origin), meaning “soft haired’’ or “youthful”.
139. Veerata (Hindi origin), meaning “bravery” or “prowess”.
140. Vrushali (Hindi origin), meaning “prosperity”.
Nepali Last Names
This list of Nepali surnames are great additions to girl and boy first names if you wish.
141. Bishwakarma (Hindi origin), surname of Bishwakarma ethnic group.
142. Chaudhary/Chowdhury (Sanskrit origin), meaning “holder” or “possessor”.
143. Chhetri/Chetry (Sanskrit origin), derived from Kshatriya.
144. Gurung (Nepalese origin), surname of the Gurung ethnic group.
145. Magar (Hindi origin), surname of the ethnic group Magar.
146. Maharjan (Sanskrit origin), meaning “who is competent in the prescribed work”.
147. Pokharel/Pokhrel (Sanskrit origin), toponymic surname of the Pokhar village.
148. Rai (Hindi origin), surname of a member of group Rai.
149. Shah/Sah (Sanskrit origin), surname of the caste Shah, is a short form for Shahryar.
150. Shrestha (Sanskrit origin), meaning “noble” or “great”.
151. Singh (Sanskrit origin), meaning “hero” or “eminent person”.
152. Tamang (Nepalese origin), meaning “rider” or “trader”.
153. Thapa (Nepalese origin), meaning “warrior”.
154. Tharu (Sanskrit origin), surname of the ethnic group Terai.
Kidadl has lots of great baby names articles to inspire you and in helping you to find the perfect name. If you liked our suggestions for the top Nepali names and surname, then why not take a look at this list of the best Samoan names with meanings or something different like this list of the best beautiful Māori names with meanings?
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Bachelor of Arts specializing in French with Film Studies, Bachelor of Arts (Year Abroad) specializing in Literature, History, Language, Media, and Art
Georgia StoneBachelor of Arts specializing in French with Film Studies, Bachelor of Arts (Year Abroad) specializing in Literature, History, Language, Media, and Art
Georgia is an experienced Content Manager with a degree in French and Film Studies from King's College London and Bachelors degree from Université Paris-Sorbonne. Her passion for exploring the world and experiencing different cultures was sparked during her childhood in Switzerland and her year abroad in Paris. In her spare time, Georgia enjoys using London's excellent travel connections to explore further afield.
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