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Indira

Pronunciation: [ ihnd-IHR-uh ]

Girl Name #3,065 Most Popular Hidden Gem 3 Syllables

The brilliance of Lakshmi, the strength of a Prime Minister

Indian Hindu South Asian
Elegant Spiritual Royal Sophisticated Strong

Meaning & Origin

"splendid, radiant beauty"
Origin: Sanskrit
Language: Hindi
"epithet of Lakshmi"
Origin: Sanskrit
Language: Sanskrit

The Story of Indira

Indira derives from the Sanskrit word indira, meaning splendor or beauty, and is an epithet of Lakshmi, the Hindu goddess of wealth, fortune, and prosperity. The name appears in the Rigveda and has been used in India for over 3,000 years. Lakshmi is also called Sri Indira in some texts, connecting the name to both divine beauty and material abundance.

Indira became internationally recognized through Indira Gandhi (1917-1984), India's first female Prime Minister, who led the country through some of its most transformative decades. Her prominence made the name synonymous with strength and leadership in the modern era.

Indira is fundamentally connected to the goddess Lakshmi in Hindu tradition, making it a deeply auspicious name. In political history, Indira Gandhi remains one of the most powerful women of the 20th century. The name carries the weight of both divine blessing and historical leadership.

Fun Facts

  • Indira Gandhi served as India's Prime Minister from 1966-1977 and 1980-1984
  • Indira is an epithet of Lakshmi, appearing in ancient Vedic texts over 3,000 years old
  • Indira means splendor or beauty in Sanskrit, related to the word for moon-like radiance

Indira in Other Languages

Hindi Indira
Tamil Indira
Bengali Indira
Gujarati Indira
Sanskrit इन्दिरा

Famous People Named Indira

I

Indira Varma

Actor

1973

British actress known for roles in Game of Thrones, Rome, and Luther

I

Indira Gandhi

Politician

1917

India's first female Prime Minister, serving 1966-1977 and 1980-1984, one of the most powerful political figures of the ...

India's first female Prime Minister, serving 1966-1977 and 1980-1984, one of the most powerful political figures of the 20th century

Quick Facts

Gender
Girl
Syllables
3
Popularity Rank
#3,065
Total SSA Count
53
Cultural Origins
Indian Hindu South Asian
Pronunciation
Moderate
Formality
Formal
Cross-Cultural Ease
Moderate

Alternative Spellings

Common Nicknames

Indi Indy

Pairs Well With

Indira Priya Indira Nandita Indira Rani Indira Devi Indira Ananya Indira Kavya

Sibling Names

Similar Names

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Frequently Asked Questions About Indira

What does the name Indira mean?
"splendid, radiant beauty" (from Sanskrit). "epithet of Lakshmi" (from Sanskrit). Indira derives from the Sanskrit word indira, meaning splendor or beauty, and is an epithet of Lakshmi, the Hindu goddess of wealth, fortune, and prosperity. The name appears in the Rigveda and has been used in India for over 3,000 years. Lakshmi is also called Sri Indira in some texts, connecting the name to both divine beauty and material abundance.
What is the origin of the name Indira?
Indira has Sanskrit, Indian, Hindu, and South Asian origins. In Sanskrit, it means "splendid, radiant beauty". In Sanskrit, it means "epithet of Lakshmi".
Is Indira a boy or girl name?
Indira is primarily used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Indira?
Indira is pronounced ihnd-IHR-uh.
How popular is the name Indira?
Indira is currently ranked #3065 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Indira?
Common nicknames for Indira include Indi and Indy.
What are good middle names for Indira?
Popular middle name pairings include Indira Priya, Indira Nandita, Indira Rani, Indira Devi, Indira Ananya, and Indira Kavya.
What are good sibling names for Indira?
Names that pair well with Indira as siblings include Arjun, Meera, Rohan, Priya, Vikram, Divya, and Rahul.
How many syllables does Indira have?
Indira has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.
Is Indira a common or rare name?
Indira is an uncommon name, ranked #3065 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.

About the Name Indira

Indira is a girl name with Indian, Hindu, and South Asian origins . The name means "splendid, radiant beauty" in Sanskrit .

Indira is currently ranked #3,065 in popularity for girl names in the United States.

The name Indira has 3 syllables and is pronounced ihnd-IHR-uh, making it distinctive and memorable.

Common nicknames for Indira include Indi and Indy. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.

Alternative spellings of Indira include Indie, Indigo, India, Indiana, Indi . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.

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