Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Reshma
Ishana
Kerani
Mekara
Nita
Tarana

I’ve only heard of two of these (Ishani not Ishana). Are the others even real?

I find it surprising you haven't heard of Reshma, Ishana/Ishani, Nita, and Tarana? She is not Indian but Tarana Burke is a well known advocate for sexual abuse survivors. I went to college with a Reshma and then later a close friend married another woman with that name. Nita sounds so familiar to me -- I think maybe I've heard it and assumed it was a nickname? But I like it as a standalone.

I like that all of these names can be pronounced phonetically. Also I like the nn Isha for Ishana/Ishani (I prefer Ishana which sounds more elegant to me).

You're quoting me, I should have written three. I wasn't counting Ishana because I've only heard Isha and Ishani. I know Reshma and Nita. I don't know Kerani, Mekara, and have no idea who Tarana Burke is. But you said it yourself, she's not Indian?

Tarana Burkę isn't Indian but the name is Hindi. My point was that it's obviously not a made up name, I find it strange that people are responding as though it's like a joke Indian name when it's definitely a real name and a quick Google search reveals it to be Hindi in origin.

I wonder if Mekara is supposed to be Makara? This is a Hindi name according to Nameberry and this site: https://babynames.com/name/makara

which says it also has a Hebrew origin. I like the sound of it and I also like that it's easily shortened to Kara for a nickname. Maybe not a name for a family with two Indian-American (or just Indian) parents but could be an option for a mixed family with Indian and Western heritage, since Kara has European origins.

What BS are you writing? Kerani? Mekara? Why not Makara (spider) or Jooti (shoes) or Bhikari (begger) or Kirana (grocery store) or Kinari (lace or edging) or Kinara (edge)? What is this nonsense? Kara?? Why not Kaga (crow) or Keri (raw mango) or Kora (blank)? The stupid suggestions are just too annoying here. Names have meanings. Just stop your sickness.

How is Tarana Burke pronouncing the name? Is it Taraana (melody) or is it Tera Na (not yours)? We have no idea how they are using the Hindi names and how they are pronouning it. Yes, it is as much a joke as Hilaria is hilarious. The sickness of these women does not end.

Trishla

Soumya

Kaviya

Vipula

Vaibhavi

Kirti

Kavita

Tarini

My two favorites are Sahana and Zara.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Some of these names are very old and hard to pronounce. OP asked for modern names.

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.

But OP was pretty specific about what they wanted. Yes, some people are fine with older names, or even prefer older names, or prioritize a name being less popular. But OP is clear that she wants a modern name.

OP said modern, but she also used Arya, Leela, or Layla as examples of names she likes but are already taken, and although Arya is a more modern name, Leela and Layla are old-fashioned. The only people I know with those names are either under 5 or in their 70s/80s. I suppose it's the equivalent of Henry/Maude nowadays. Old names come around. Our grandkids will know a ton of little kids named Anjali, Priya, and Preeti named after their grandmas, LOL!

+1 My late grandmother was named Leela

Anonymous wrote:Sneha

I know three Snehas, all are in their mid to late 40s and two of them go by a different name.

Sneha

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Some of these names are very old and hard to pronounce. OP asked for modern names.

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.

But OP was pretty specific about what they wanted. Yes, some people are fine with older names, or even prefer older names, or prioritize a name being less popular. But OP is clear that she wants a modern name.

OP said modern, but she also used Arya, Leela, or Layla as examples of names she likes but are already taken, and although Arya is a more modern name, Leela and Layla are old-fashioned. The only people I know with those names are either under 5 or in their 70s/80s. I suppose it's the equivalent of Henry/Maude nowadays. Old names come around. Our grandkids will know a ton of little kids named Anjali, Priya, and Preeti named after their grandmas, LOL!

Yes, I get the sense that what OP means by modern is "unique, recognizably Indian, but also easy to pronounce." Because the modern trend in names is to give children more unique or original names (as opposed to just choosing from a set of very popular names), but there is also a trend towards celebrating your heritage, as opposed to choosing a name that sounds Western. And short, easy-to-prounounce names are popular across the board, regardless of origin. Especially two syllable names with an -a ending, for girls. Arya/Leela/Layla are trendy "modern" names for American Indians, even if they sound old fashioned in India.

Not new names but names I like
Sital
Usha
Latha or Lata
Kiran
Avni
Lavanya
Durga
Devi

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Reshma
Ishana
Kerani
Mekara
Nita
Tarana

I’ve only heard of two of these (Ishani not Ishana). Are the others even real?

I find it surprising you haven't heard of Reshma, Ishana/Ishani, Nita, and Tarana? She is not Indian but Tarana Burke is a well known advocate for sexual abuse survivors. I went to college with a Reshma and then later a close friend married another woman with that name. Nita sounds so familiar to me -- I think maybe I've heard it and assumed it was a nickname? But I like it as a standalone.

I like that all of these names can be pronounced phonetically. Also I like the nn Isha for Ishana/Ishani (I prefer Ishana which sounds more elegant to me).

You're quoting me, I should have written three. I wasn't counting Ishana because I've only heard Isha and Ishani. I know Reshma and Nita. I don't know Kerani, Mekara, and have no idea who Tarana Burke is. But you said it yourself, she's not Indian?

Tarana Burkę isn't Indian but the name is Hindi. My point was that it's obviously not a made up name, I find it strange that people are responding as though it's like a joke Indian name when it's definitely a real name and a quick Google search reveals it to be Hindi in origin.

I wonder if Mekara is supposed to be Makara? This is a Hindi name according to Nameberry and this site: https://babynames.com/name/makara

which says it also has a Hebrew origin. I like the sound of it and I also like that it's easily shortened to Kara for a nickname. Maybe not a name for a family with two Indian-American (or just Indian) parents but could be an option for a mixed family with Indian and Western heritage, since Kara has European origins.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Some of these names are very old and hard to pronounce. OP asked for modern names.

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.

But OP was pretty specific about what they wanted. Yes, some people are fine with older names, or even prefer older names, or prioritize a name being less popular. But OP is clear that she wants a modern name.

OP said modern, but she also used Arya, Leela, or Layla as examples of names she likes but are already taken, and although Arya is a more modern name, Leela and Layla are old-fashioned. The only people I know with those names are either under 5 or in their 70s/80s. I suppose it's the equivalent of Henry/Maude nowadays. Old names come around. Our grandkids will know a ton of little kids named Anjali, Priya, and Preeti named after their grandmas, LOL!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Reshma
Ishana
Kerani
Mekara
Nita
Tarana

I’ve only heard of two of these (Ishani not Ishana). Are the others even real?

I find it surprising you haven't heard of Reshma, Ishana/Ishani, Nita, and Tarana? She is not Indian but Tarana Burke is a well known advocate for sexual abuse survivors. I went to college with a Reshma and then later a close friend married another woman with that name. Nita sounds so familiar to me -- I think maybe I've heard it and assumed it was a nickname? But I like it as a standalone.

I like that all of these names can be pronounced phonetically. Also I like the nn Isha for Ishana/Ishani (I prefer Ishana which sounds more elegant to me).

You're quoting me, I should have written three. I wasn't counting Ishana because I've only heard Isha and Ishani. I know Reshma and Nita. I don't know Kerani, Mekara, and have no idea who Tarana Burke is. But you said it yourself, she's not Indian?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Reshma
Ishana
Kerani
Mekara
Nita
Tarana

I’ve only heard of two of these (Ishani not Ishana). Are the others even real?

I find it surprising you haven't heard of Reshma, Ishana/Ishani, Nita, and Tarana? She is not Indian but Tarana Burke is a well known advocate for sexual abuse survivors. I went to college with a Reshma and then later a close friend married another woman with that name. Nita sounds so familiar to me -- I think maybe I've heard it and assumed it was a nickname? But I like it as a standalone.

I like that all of these names can be pronounced phonetically. Also I like the nn Isha for Ishana/Ishani (I prefer Ishana which sounds more elegant to me).

I have two kids under 10 and there is a huge discrepancy between the names of children born to first gen Americans and children born to immigrants. Most of us who were born or raised here have chosen to give our children simple, easy to pronounce names probably because our names were slaughtered over and over again (and I actually have a name that is easily Americanized). My kids names have already been posted here and they’re “old” names (my mom was like - why are you giving your kids auntie names??). On the other hand, my children’s friends whose parents are immigrants have names I haven’t seen posted here that are more “modern” per Indian standards but are hard to pronounce and I think personally they sound old fashioned, and the kids are already shortening or coming up with random nicknames. Its hard to know what OP means by modern since she hasn’t come back to clarify.

Anonymous wrote:Reshma
Ishana
Kerani
Mekara
Nita
Tarana

I’ve only heard of two of these (Ishani not Ishana). Are the others even real?

Padma