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Aruna
Nanda Reema Rohini Roshni Deepa Mala Sarita Diya Shreya Indrani |
These are all Hindi names but mostly less common. Though Reshma, Nita, and Tarana slightly more common -- I know adult women with all of these names and have always like them. I think often Indian American parents default to a narrow range of Hindi names that feel more familiar to American ears. There are some Hindi names that can be hard for non-Indians to pronounce, but most are phonetic and there are many beautiful names that rarely get used here. |
| I'm not Indian, but I love the name Rahkee (sp? sounds same as Rocky). |
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Neema
Manjari |
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Kaveri
Diya Elora I have boys but these were on my list for a girl
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DP I love Kavita |
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Aaira
Aanya Saanvi Bhuvi Hima Drishti Shyla Shipra Saili Raina Rutha Tulika Mitra Mytri Mishti |
You’re a jerk |
I do think it's surging in popularity. I wouldn't say I know "a lot" but I know two Riyas under age 10, as well as a Rhea that is pronounced the same way. I think it has a lot of cross-cultural appeal, like Maya and Arya. |
| Some of these names are very old and hard to pronounce. OP asked for modern names. |
Are you Indian? This seems like a close-minded take when PPs are giving OP a lot of great ideas and of course OP can cull them to see what she likes. |
I like Ishani. I've heard of Ishani but I like this better. And Isha as a short form |
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Neev
Neetu |
Modern doesn't mean Western-sounding, and most of the names suggested so far have phonetic pronunciation that is easy for a Westerner, especially if they live in a diverse community. The simple two-syllable Hindi names with phonetic pronunciation are so easy for Westerners to pronounce that I know some non-Indian families who have used some of these names: Asha and Nita are some I've encountered recently. Some of the names suggested are older and less popular with Indian families today, but as with all cultures, older names come back around after a couple generations. There is also more emphasis on having a unique name these days, so people are pulling from older names, less popular names, to find something original. |
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Aruna
Sunita Suman Uma Avani Ila |