Penguin Book of Hindu Names

by Maneka Gandhi

Book Overview

The product of several years of research, The Penguin Book of Hindu Names is a comprehensive compilation of Hindu names in current use. The meaning of each of the approximately 20,000 names in the volume is extensively discussed and information on sources and usage is also provided. The book is cross-referenced to make it easier to use. The aim of the work is twofold: to serve as a practical guide for parents choosing a name for their offspring; and to provide a precise and in-depth sourcebook for scholars, pandits and lay readers who like to know what familiar (and not so familiar) Hindu names actually mean.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0140128417
• ISBN13: 9780140128413
• Release Date: November 2004
• Publisher: Penguin Books India
• Length: 522 Pages
• Weight: 1.06 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 5.0" x 9.1"

Customer Reviews

Very Complete Book of Hindu Names

This book is an outstanding treasure. If you want to learn about names and their true meaning, or perhaps you have chosen a possible name from Gita or Vedas and you want confirmation of the meaning, then this book is the greatest guide possible. It is the most complete book I have ever seen of Hindu names. Don't be scared by traditional romanization of Sanskrit; it is not hard to learn. It only takes a few minutes of effort and then you can read other Sanskrit texts such as Gita in roman characters, which can be useful from time to time even if you can read Sanskrit. Names can always be shortened or altered to suit personal tastes. But the beautiful meaning of a well-chosen Hindu name is irreplaceable. It is a source of strength that you carry with you all your life.

Great book, if you're willing to work at it

Many of the critiques about this book are unfair given that it is a scholarly work, not really a baby name book. However, many, like myself, will buy it for the latter purpose. You cannot find a more complete book of Hindu names anywhere else, including the Internet. Additionally, there are pronunciations included which are very helpful to someone not living in India. As long as you are willing to work to find a good name, this book is an excellent resource.

Great book

We wanted a short, lyrical sanskrit name for our baby - which also should mean something special.I was not happy with my first purchase of a dictionary of sanskrit names by Integral Yoga publications. I bought this book and was surprised to find that it contains all that and more.I have seen reviews which say that names for boys and girls are together in this book which is an incovenience. The reason is that the root for the names is the same. It does not make sense to seggregate them.I am saving this book for our next baby. Hope the review helps. Good luck!

Very extensive collection of Sanskrit names

The book contains 500+ pages of names in small fonts, alphabetically arranged. This is not for a person looking for a English to Sanskrit names dictionary. But if you are looking for good Sanskrit names for your "yet to be born" or as in my case "my newborn", this is an ideal source.

Encyclopaedia, not just a book on Hindu Names

If anybody asks me to recommend a book on Hindu names and meanings, I would first recommend this. You are sure to name your baby after going through this book. Each name has almost all the meanings it has. The author-Maneka Gandhi-a Minister in the central government(India) now, and daughter-in-law of ex-prime minister of India, Indira Gandhi has access to Vedas and read the Mahabharata, the Ramayana, the Kathasaritsagara, the Panchatantra, the listings of all Vedas and Upanishads. This probably made her list all Hindu names, their source,gender and the meaning. Meanings are many, all are listed and the source of the name is explained in detail. For example, "Sakuntla" means a bird or protected by birds. Sakuntala is teh daughter of Menaka & Viswamitra. She was adopted by sage Kanva. Since the girl was protected by birds, she was called Sakuntala. She married king Dushyanta of the Lunar Dynasty and became the mother of the Emperor Bharata, after whose name India is called Bharat . 85% of Hindus in India (out of 100 billions) and Hindus outside India will definitely benefit out of this rich resource. It is an encyclopaedia not just a book.