Deva

♂ Boy

Pronounced DAY-vuh /ˈdeɪ.və/Medium

Meaning: From the Sanskrit deva, 'god; divine; a shining heavenly being.' A word tied to Hindu tradition, used respectfully as a name of light and divinity.Medium

In 30 seconds: A luminous Sanskrit name: Deva means 'god; divine; a heavenly being' (said 'DAY-vuh'). Radiant and meaningful.

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Origin MediumSanskrit

MeaningFrom the Sanskrit deva, 'god; divine; a shining heavenly being.' A word tied to Hindu tradition, used respectfully as a name of light and divinity.

U.S. rank (2024)#11227 ↗ Rising

2024 U.S. births6 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)

Peak year1974

Total births (all-time)≈ 22

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Deva is Sanskrit for 'god; divine; a heavenly being,' a word rooted in Hindu tradition where the devas are shining ones. Used as a given name it carries a bright, reverent sense — rare in the U.S. (said 'DAY-vuh').

It appears rarely in the U.S., mostly in Indian-heritage families. Rare, luminous, and meaning-rich.

Did you know? Deva comes from the Sanskrit for 'god; divine' — a 'shining one,' tied to Hindu tradition — carried respectfully as a name of light and divinity (said 'DAY-vuh').

Overall data confidence 55%

References — Deva — Sanskrit 'god; divine'; Hindu tradition

Variations

DevDevanDevraj

Nicknames

DevVee

Famous Bearers

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If you like Deva…

Dev— the short form it yields

Arjun— a like Sanskrit-heritage name

Kiran— a like luminous Indian pick

Shiva— echoes that soft -va sound

Sharva— a fellow Sanskrit choice

Explore names like Deva

By themeheritage sanskrit luminous divine

By meaningLight God / Divine Sky / Heaven

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Deva mean?

Deva is Sanskrit for 'god; divine; a shining heavenly being,' tied to Hindu tradition.

How do you pronounce Deva?

It's said DAY-vuh /ˈdeɪ.və/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Deva a boy or girl name?

Deva is a boy's name.

How popular is Deva?

Deva is a rare name for boys in the U.S.