Sanskrit is an ancient language of India and the sacred language of Hinduism. It is thought to be the second oldest language still being used today, so there’s no denying how vital this language was and is to Indian culture.
If you’re searching for a special name for your dog that holds a lot of meaning, a Sanskrit name might be perfect. Whether you study languages or have ties to India’s cultural heritage, our list of the best Sanskrit dog names below should help you choose the ideal name for your new pup.
How to Choose a Sanskrit Name
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Get the Pronunciation Right
If you’re not of Indian heritage, you may not know how to say some of the Sanskrit names on our list. We recommend using Google to help you learn how to pronounce any potential dog names, so you know you’re saying the word as it is meant to be said.
Choose Fewer Syllables
The fewer syllables your dog’s name has, the easier it will be for your pup to learn it. Words with two syllables are ideal as they create a change in pitch frequency that will get your dog’s attention when you say it.
Incorporate Hard Consonants
Words with a hard consonant, like “C” or “K”, help dogs to recognize their name among other sounds in their environment.
Best Male Sanskrit Dog Names & Their Meanings
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Aabha –First ray of light
Aadir – Origin; beginning
Aahir – Dazzling
Aarush – First sun ray
Ajit – Invincible
Akash – Sky
Anish – Supreme
Apporva – Rare
Arun – Dawn
Aryan – Noble
Avani – Earth
Babi – Wisdom
Bilas – Fair complexion
Divit – Immortal
Eshan – Ruler
Gandhik – Lord of the Mountains
Hansin – Universal soul
Ivan – Leader; royal
Kavin – Handsome
Kiran – Ray of light
Laksh – Destination
Mahir – Expert
Nadin – Lord of rivers
Neel – Passionate
Nehal – Handsome
Onir – Shining
Parth – Ruler; star
Parthiv – Royal
Pranay – Love
Prem – Love
Rahi – Traveller
Rajiv – Lotus flower
Rohit – Red
Samar – Reward
Shaan – Pride; peaceful
Shwar – Sweet voice
Simar – God’s favorite
Sudhir – Intelligent
Vihaan – Dawn
Vihan – Dawn
Vinod – Delight
Vipul – Large
Yash – Success
Yuvan – Strong
Zian – Self-peace
Best Female Sanskrit Dog Names & Their Meanings
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Aashi – Smile
Amiya – Delight
Anika – Graceful
Aruna – Rising sun
Charvi – Beautiful
Chinmayi – Pure knowledge
Devika – Little goddess
Dipa – Light
Disha – Direction
Doma – Someone of low caste
Ezhil – Beauty
Fariha – Happy
Fatima – To abstain
Garima – Grace
Gauri – White
Hira – Diamond
Hrutvy – Angel
Iditri – Complementary
Ishita – Greatness
Jamini – Desirable
Jaya – Victory
Jiti – To obtain victory
Jiya – Living
Jyoti – Light
Lalita – Playful; charming
Manju – Pleasant
Meghna – Lightning
Mitali – Friendly
Mitra – Friend
Padma – Lotus
Priti – Delight
Priya – Beloved
Rajni – Radiant queen
Ritika – Movement; stream
Ritisha – Goddess of Truth
Saira – Traveler
Sarika – Mynah bird
Shilpa – Statute
Shobha – Brilliance
Sumati – Wise
Sunita – Righteous
Valli – Creeping plant
Varsha – Rain
Yuvati – Young woman
Sanskrit Dog Names for Yogis
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Yoga instructors guide their classes through sequences using both Sanskrit and English translations for yoga terms. Though Sanskrit is an ancient Indian language, it is still used in yoga to define poses and practices.
Haridwar – One of the seven sacred cities of India
Jhiri – A village that still uses Sanskrit
Kaveri – A sacred river in Southern India
Mathura – A sacred city in northern India
Mattur – A rare village where everyone still speaks Sanskrit
Puri – A coastal city in eastern India
Pushkar – A pilgrimage site for Hindus and Sikhs
Rishikesh – Capital of yoga and meditation
Shirdi – A town in Western India
Ujjain – One of the seven sacred cities of India
Varanasi – The spiritual capital of India
Hindu Dog Names Inspired By Nature
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Hinduism is the official language of India, so one of these nature-inspired Hindu words might be perfect for your outdoor-loving puppy.
Adiya – Sun
Akash – Sky
Bhuvan – World
Brja – Nature
Dhruv – Star
Gagan – Sky
Mehul – Rain
Mihir – Sun
Neeraj – Lotus
Nisarg – Nature
Pavan – Wind; breeze
Ravish – Sun
Sagar – Ocean
Sarang – Moon
Tarak – Star
Tushar – Snow
Varun – Ocean
Vihaan – Dawn
Final Thoughts
We hope our list of Sanskrit-inspired names has given you some ideas for your new special addition. Whichever name you decide on, one thing is certain: you and your pup will have many fun years to look forward to together. Nothing kicks off a pet adoption right like choosing the perfect, meaningful name.
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Chantelle is passionate about two things in her life – writing and animals. She grew up on the prairies in Canada surrounded by animals and as an adult, she chooses to share her home with five cats, two guinea pigs, and a bearded dragon. Chantelle, her husband, and their child take great pride in being great animal parents - the ones who spend a thousand dollars on wall-mounted cat shelves so that their cats can have an indoor jungle gym all year round. When Chantelle isn’t snuggling her cats on the couch or taking pictures of them being hilarious, she’s outside exploring in the Rocky Mountains, binging the same shows on Netflix over and over, and reading about whatever random topic pops into her brain. ...Read more