SahasraOrigin: Sanskrit
Meaning: “a thousand; infinite.”
Gender: Feminine

The name is derived from the Sanskrit सहस्र (sahasra), which means “a thousand” or “infinite.” The name has the euphemism of “new beginnings.”

In India and Nepal, the Sahasra purna chandrodayam (the Celebration of 1000 Moons) is a festival that honours people who have made it to their 81st birthday (or 1000th moon).

The Sahasra Bahu Temple (the Temple of a thousand arms) is the name of an ancient temple in Rasjasthan, India, which honours Vishnu. Sahasra Banu (a thousand arms) is an epithet for the god Vishnu.



RudraOrigin: Sanskrit
Meaning: debated
Gender: Masculine

This is the name of a diety in Hinduism who is mainly associated with the wind, storm and the hunt. Rudra is believed to be the personification of terror and some schools of thought claim Rudra and Shiva are one and the same being. Rudra is an important diety in the Hindu sect known as Saivism.

The meaning of Rudra itself is debated, many sources believe it is derived from the Sanskrit root rud (to howl; to cry), other sources believe it is linked with a Sanskrit root word rud for (red) or even (shining), whilst others have connected the name with the Sanskrit रौद्र raudra (wild); the name can also be connected with the Sanskrit word for the number eleven रुद्र (rudra).



ShlokOrigin: Sanskrit
Meaning: praise; verse; sound; prayer”
Gender: Masculine

The name comes from the Sanskrit word श्लोक (shloka) meaning “praise; verse; sound; prayer.”

Shloka is the name of a type of verse line which appears in classical Indian epic verse.



AshaThe name can have several origins and meanings. It is principally a Sanskrit name that can mean “hope; aspiration; wish; desire.” It is also the name of a concept in Zoroastrianism, roughly translating as “truth; righteousness; correct order.” It is is the name of several places across Europe, spelled Ascha, it is the name of several places in Germany. It also can coincide with the Polish diminutive form of Joanna (Asia) pronounced (AH-shah). Lastly, it is the Somalian and Swahili form of Aisha (life) and is also the Swahili word for life.

It is definitely a cross-cultural name.

It is the name of a village in Cyprus, according to legend the name derives from the Greek askia, which means “without any shade” and might refer to the fact the town has few trees. Alternately, it is also said to come from aski, which is the name of a type of alcoholic vessel and the villagers like to boast their town bears this name due to the fact they drank so much wine.

Ascha is the name of a municipality in Lower Bavaria. It is also the name of a tributary of the Schwarzach River in Bavaria. Its etymology is unknown, but is believed to derive from a Slavic source.

In the United States, Asha appeared in the U.S. Top 1000 2000 and 2003 and peaked at #882 in 2000. In the U.K. & Wales, Asha peaked at #313 in 2003.

A notable bearer is Indian actress and singer, Asha Bhosle (b.1933).



AvaniGender: Feminine
Origin: Sanskrit
Meaning: “the earth”
(UV-e-nee; UV-nee)

The name is derived from the Sanskrit अवनी (avani) “the earth.” It is the name of a small village in India that is known for its temple dedicated to the Hindu goddess, Sita, who is sometimes also known as Avanisuta (daughter of earth) as it is believed she was found while ploughing the earth.

Its pronunciation should be simple enough for most English-speakers, but is often butchered to (uh-VAH-nee). Avani sounds somewhat like Ebony; the emphasis is on the first and last syllable with soft a sounds, in some dialects the v is silent (UH-nee).




Gender: Masculine
Origin: Farsi/Persian
Meaning: “meriting; rewarding; worthy”
Per. (SHOY-ahn) Arab (SHY-ahn)

The name is a traditional Persian male name which is also used occasionally in the Arabic-speaking world as well as in India and Pakistan.

Swara, Svara

Swara, SvaraOrigin: Sanskrit
Meaning: “noise; sound; accent; musical note”
Gender: Feminine
(SWUH-ruh; SVUH-ruh)

The name is derived from the Sanskrit स्वर (svara) meaning “noise; sound; accent; musical note.”

In Classical Indian music, svara is used to denote the concept of musical pitch.



ShreyaOrigin: Sanskrit
Gender: Feminine
Pronounced: SHRAY-yah rhymes with Freya

The name is derived from the Sanskrit श्रेयस् (sreyas) which can meaning “most beautiful; most excellent; fortunate; superior; bliss” or “auspicious.”

In the United States, Shreya appeared in the U.S. Top 1000 between 2002 and 2005. It peaked at #786 in 2003.

The name is also sometimes transliterated as Shriya or Shreeya.