Everyone wants their baby’s name to mean something special, and every baby is one of a kind. Have you ever considered a Buddhist baby name for your little bundle of joy? Buddhism has a long history centered around peace and love, so what better gift to give your baby than a name centered around enlightenment.
The religion of Buddhism began in the 6th century B.C. around the area of Benares, India. It is based on Siddhartha Gautama’s teachings. He was born a prince in Nepal situated between India and Tibet but renounced his earthly possessions and wealth to teach others the Four Noble Truths and the Eight-Fold-Path.
More: 25 Magical Boy Names to Inspire Your Search
Buddhism is now practiced by roughly 500 hundred million people worldwide, with the largest concentration in Asia. If Buddhism’s religion or practice means something to you or you are looking for a unique name with a strong meaning behind it, consider Madee for your daughter, which means “a good beginning”, or Banko for your son, which means “everlasting”.
Buddhists have a well-known connection with meditation practice that elicits thoughts of calm and relaxation. What could be a better way for your baby than beginning with a name linked to the most famous Tibetian Monk of all, the 14th Dali Lama, who is known for his peaceful work? Lhamo is his original first name, and it means god or goddess, so it is the perfect unisex name.
No matter the meaning you are seeking, we have a list of 75 boys, girls, and gender-neutral Buddhist names to help end your search.
Buddhist Names for Girls from A-K
- Achara - Thai, An angel who is very pretty or beautiful
- Aikyaa - Sanskrit, unity or oneness, also spelled Aaikya or Aikya
- Arya - Sanskrit, noble or exalted. Made famous by the television series Game of Thrones
- Bi - Chinese, green jade
- Boonsri - Thai, beautiful
- Caihong - Mandarin Chinese, rainbow
- Daunphen - Thai, full moon
- Dechen -Tibetan, One who can reach out for happiness and joy, great bliss
- Disha - Sanskrit, direction, good luck
- Dokai - Indian name, in Buddhist meaning way formality
- Goldheve - one with a sixth sense, high energy, sensitiveness, one who possess a high sense of awareness
- Haimini - Indian Origin, golden color
- Kannika - A beautiful flower
- Karamia - Beloved Peace
- Kathina - This is the name of a Buddhist festival held at the end of the rainy season. It is a time when people give thanks to the monks.
- Kyoko - Japanese, Melody, to bend, mirror
Buddhist Names for Girls from L-Z
- Lawan - Beautiful
- Lotus - The flower is a symbol in Buddhism for the path from ignorance to enlightenment
- Madee - A good beginning
- Mayra - Indian meaning is the moon, Buddhism symbol of truth, enlightenment, and remover of illusions
- Mayuree - Beautiful
- Nin - Sapphire, Hebrew for grace
- Pensri - The beauty of the moon
- Samorn - A woman who is beautiful and beloved
- Samsara - Continuous movement, the circle of life
- Sophea -She who is a clever and wise one
- Sook - Korean, pure
- Sovannah - Cambodian, gold, precious in God’s sight
- Tara - mother of liberation, female deity sometimes referred to as the female Buddha
- Tevy - An Angel
Buddhist Names for Boys from A-D
- Akkrum - Hindu boy name for Lord Buddha
- An - Peace; Peace of Being At Home; Peaceful
- Anzan - Quiet Mountain
- Ashwaghosh - Name of a Buddhist philosopher
- Atid - Thai, The Sun
- Baika - Plum Blossom
- Bankei - Ten Thousand Blessings
- Banko - Everlasting
- Budhh - He who has been enlightened
- Chiko - Light of Wisdom
- Chimon - Wisdom Gate
- Chinshu - Calm Prefecture; Calm Place
- Daiden - Great Transmission
- Daido - Great Way
- Daiji - Great Compassion
- Dainin - Great Patience; Great Endurance
- Daishin - Great Truth; Boundless Reality
- Dechen - Health and happiness
Buddhist Names for Boys from E-Z
- Eido - Illuminating Way
- Enmei - Bright Circle; Life-Sustaining
- Eshin -Understanding Mind; Wisdom Mind
- Etsudo -Japanese, Joyful Way, the joy of raising a child
- Fujii - Japanese, name of a Buddhist monk in Japan, famous for constructing peace pagodas
- Genko - Original Light
- Genji - Japanese, two beginnings, most valuable to God
- Hakue - Pure Blessing
- Issan - One Mountain
- Jiho - The Aroma of Compassion
- Jikai - Ocean of Compassion; Compassionate Sea
- Koge - Fragrant Flower
- Tathagatha - Pali/Sanskrit - one who has thus gone, one who walks the right path, very popular Buddhist name
- Twan - Indonesian, Smart and brainy
Gender-Neutral Buddhist Names
- Anami - Lord Buddha
- Bodhi - Sanskrit, Awakening, Enlightenment
- Cahya - Indonesian, One who is light in the darkness
- Dharma - It is the understanding of the laws of nature and how they apply to the human condition
- Dojin - Buddhist, path of love
- Ehri - Mongolian, musical instrument
- Karma - The principle that a person’s intent and actions will influence their future and life beyond this one.
- Lhamo - God or Goddess, first name of the 14th Dali Lahma
- Nirvana - The state Buddhist aim to reach in which “the imperturbable stillness of mind after the fires of desire, aversion and delusion have been finally extinguished.”
- Sangha - the name of a group of Buddhist monks, nuns, or novices
- Sutra - a collection of medieval Indian texts found in Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism
- Thay - Vietnamese, a surname, teacher
- Zen - Symbol of peace and tranquility. It is a school of Mahayana Buddhism that uses sitting meditation to reach Buddhist truths.
For more baby name inspiration check out these popular baby name lists:
- Top 1000 Most Popular Baby Girl Names in the U.S.
- Top 1000 Most Popular Baby Boy Names in the U.S.
- The 100 Coolest Baby Names in the World
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