A Rose by Any Other Name
Kylie Martin
There are
many reasons to choose a spiritual name. Or for that, any name you like! Laura (your illustrious Editor) and I have been taking belly dancing classes together and that inspired my search for belly dancer’s names. For a belly dancer the reason is both obvious and personal. A name not only allows a dancer/artist/individual to retain a certain anonymity and privacy, but can be a valuable tool for channeling energy and spirit in a personal and intimate connection with the self.
Names are a wonderful outlet to explore your darker side. A different name can allow you to dance, role-play, write poetry or fiction or even just go out clubbing as a separate identity from your own. The freedom to create a separate place in your mind and your life to explore the different facets of inner self and your personality. To live your fantasies, to express that uniqueness in your personality that may not be obvious if you were named, say, Jane Doe.
Spiritually, a name can help you create a separate, sacred identity for you to experience your Deity or connections with the world around us and the universe. But reasons for choosing a name are many-fold and often personal, and vary greatly from culture to culture. Instead of a long winded discussion of comparative religion and name choosing, I though you would enjoy a selection of dark beautiful and meaningful names to choose from.
These are some of the more ethereal, fanciful and “darker” Indian, Tanil, Hindu, Buddhist and Jian names I found and their Sanskrit meanings. I also encourage you to continue to research the perfect name, or use these to create or inspire your own.
A
Ajala / Avani / Arani = The Earth
Akshita = Immortal
Alli = The Name of a Beautiful Flower
Amaris = Child of the Moon
Amritaya = The Immortal Soul
Anala = Fiery
Ananya = Rare; Unique
Anahita = Graceful
Anju = One Who Lives in Heart
Arati / Aaarti = Worship, Divine Fire in Ritual
Arivarasi = Queen of Intelligence
Asha = Hope
Asya / Ania (Polish version of Anna) = Grace
Atasi = A Blue Flower
Aziza = A Friend (some say Seductress)
B
Ballari = Creeper
Banani = Forests
C
Chhaya = Shadow
Chakoru = A Bird Enamoured of the Moon
Chameli = Jasmine
Chandani = Star
Chanchala = Restless
Chandrika = Moonlight
Chandi = Moonlit
D
Darika = Maiden
Darshana = Sight
Deeba = Silk
Devi = Goddess
Dhara = The Earth; Constant Flow
Divya = Divine Lustre
E
Esha = Pleasure
Eshita = One Who Desires
F
Fajyaz = Artistic
Farida = Turquoise
G
Gazala = Deer/Gazelle
Geena = Silvery
Gitanjali = Collection of Poems
H
Hafiza = Protected
Hansa / Hansini = Swan
Hansinka = Little Swan
Hari = Leo; Ray of Light; Fire
Himani = Snow
Hirkani = Small Diamond
I
Ila = Earth; Mother; Priestess
Ina = Mother
Inara = A very ancient Hittie name; she was the daughter of a Storm God
Induma = Moon
Indukala / Indulala = Moonlight
Indrakshi = Beautiful Eyes
Indranil = Saphire
Indumauli = Moon Crested
Innisai = Sweet Music
Ipsita = Desired
Isai / Iyalisai = Music
Isaiyarasi = Queen of Music
Ishana = Rich; Wealth
J
Jaisudha = Nectar of Victory
Janini = Mother
Jaya = Victory
Jeevika = Water
Jhilmil = Sparkling
Juhi / Jyotsna = Moonlight
K
Kajal = Eyeliner
Kalavati / Paravati = Artist
Kalika = A Bud
Kamala = Lotus
Kamna = Desire
Kananbala = Nymph of the Forest
Karabi = Flower
Kari = One who is Free and Independent
Karkulali / Kaarkulali / Krishnaveni = One With Beautiful Black Hair
Kasturi = Scented with Musk
Kavila = Poem
Kavindra = Poetess
Khyati = Fame
Kilala = Nectar
Kimaya = Divine
Kinkina = Bell
Kunjara = Forest Girl
Kurjinji = Name of a Flower which blooms only Once in Twelve Years.
Kusumita = Blossomed
L
Laalamasi = Ruby
Laksha = White Rose
Lavali = Clove
Lehka = Line; Lightening; Crescent Moon
Leila = Arabic for “Darkest Night”
M
Maanika = Ruby
Madhavi = Sweet; Intoxicating; the Date Flower
Malika = Jasmine
Manjira = Ankle Bells
Maya = Illusion; Magic
Meena = Gem
Menaka = Celestial Damsel
Mohanna = Beauty
Mohini = Jasmine Blossom; Fascinating; Enchantress
N
Naayantara = Star of Our Eyes
Nachni = Dancer/Suggestive Look
Naina = Eyes
Nayantara = Iris
Neela / Nila / Nilasha / Nilima = Blue
Neelabja = Blue Lotus
Neelakshi = Blue Eyed
Niavoli = Ray of Light from the Moon
Nila / Nilaa = Enchanting Moon
Nina = Lovely Eyed; Girl in Spanish
Niraj = Pearl, Born in Water
Nisha / Nistha = Night Vision / Night
Niyati = Fate; Fortune; Supreme Power
Nowfaleena = Black Rose
Nirupama = Without Comparison
O
Ojal = Spendour
Ojas = Virility/Energy
Om = Creation; The Essence of Life
P
Padmaloshni = One With Lotus Shaped Eyes
Pari = Beautiful; Faerie
Paridhi = Realm
Pavai / Paavai = Lovely Doll
Pia = Softness; Beloved
Premila = Queen of a Woman’s Kingdom
Priya = Loved One; Darling
R
Ragamaya = Full of Passion, Music, Color
Rajeshvari = Princess
Rajanigandha = Night Blossoming Scented Flower
Raka = Full Moon
Ramani = Beautiful Girl
Rambha = Celestial Dancer
Ramya = Enchanting
Rani = Queen
Ranjita = Adorned
Ravichandran = Sun and Moon Conjoined
Reshma / Reshmi = Silken
Riju / Rijuta = Innocence
Ruchira = Desirable
Ruhi = Soul
S
Sachandra = Beautiful Moon
Sahiba = The Lady
Salila / Salil = Water
Saloni = Beautiful
Samaya = Timeless
Samiha = Wish; Desire
Sananya = Surrendered
Sanjana = Creator; Creative; Creation
Sanjivani = Immortality
Sanwari = Dusky
Sapna = Dream
Sarasa = Swan
Sashi = Moon
Sarvaga = Spirit; Soul
Shaili = Style
Shankhamala = A Faerie Princess
Shanti = Peace; Tranquility
Sharadini = Autumn
Shaurya = Brave
Shavari / Shirina = Night
Shravana = The Name of a Star
Shefali = A Flower
Shikha = Flame
Shohalia / Shuhalia = Moon Glow
Sonali = Golden
Sonia = Beautiful
Sudha = Nectar
Sushma = Exquisite Beauty
T
Tamasa = A River; Darkness
Tamasi / Tamasvini = Night
Tanvi = A Delicate Girl
Tara / Taraka = Star
Tarakini = Starry Night
Teja = Radiant
V
Vani = Muse; Goddess Saraswati
Vanaja = Forest Girl
Vari = Water; Sea
Varsha = Rain
Vennila = Brilliant White Moon
W
Wyconda = Beautiful Stranger
Y
Yamini = Night
Yashilla = Famous
Z
Zahra = Beautiful; Fair in Color
Zoe = Life. Egyptian translation of the name Eve
Zulema = Full of Beauty
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