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Indira

♀ Girl

Pronounced in-DEER-ah /ɪnˈdiː.rɑː/High

Meaning: From Sanskrit indira meaning beauty or splendour; a name of the Hindu goddess Lakshmi, consort of Vishnu and goddess of wealth and prosperityHigh

In 30 seconds: Indira is a luminous Sanskrit name meaning beauty and splendour, one of the epithets of Lakshmi, the Hindu goddess of wealth — elegant, globally recognised, and associated with India's most famous prime minister.
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Origin HighSanskrit
MeaningFrom Sanskrit indira meaning beauty or splendour; a name of the Hindu goddess Lakshmi, consort of Vishnu and goddess of wealth and prosperity
U.S. rank (2024)#3055 ↗ Rising
2024 U.S. births53 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)
Peak year2001
Total births (all-time)≈ 2,435

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 200119662024

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

History & Origin

Indira derives from the Sanskrit indira, a poetic word for beauty, splendour, and grace. It is one of the many epithets of Lakshmi, the beloved Hindu goddess of wealth, fortune, and beauty. The name appears in ancient Sanskrit texts and has been used across the Indian subcontinent for centuries.

Indira gained worldwide recognition through Indira Gandhi (1917–1984), India's first and only female Prime Minister, who served from 1966–1977 and 1980–1984. Her towering historical presence made the name synonymous with strong female leadership across the globe.

Did you know? Indira Gandhi was not born with the surname Gandhi — she was born Indira Nehru and took the name Gandhi upon marriage to journalist Feroze Gandhi, who was unrelated to Mahatma Gandhi.
Overall data confidence 95%
Monier-Williams Sanskrit Dictionary — indira — Sanskrit root meaning beauty, epithet of LakshmiBehind the Name — Indira — usage history and famous bearers

Variations

IndraIndirah

Nicknames

IndiIndie

Famous Bearers

  • ★Indira Gandhi (1917–1984)
    India's first and only female Prime Minister, serving from 1966 to 1977 and again from 1980 to 1984.

If you like Indira…

Priya— fellow beautiful Sanskrit name meaning beloved
Maya— shares the Sanskrit heritage and poetic meaning
Lila— same melodic three-syllable Sanskrit feminine name feel
Ananya— another Sanskrit name with deep Hindu cultural roots

Frequently Asked

What does the name Indira mean?

Indira means beauty and splendour in Sanskrit, and is one of the names of Lakshmi, the Hindu goddess of wealth and prosperity.

How do you pronounce Indira?

It is said in-DEER-ah, three syllables with stress on the second.

Is Indira a boy or girl name?

Indira is a girls' name.

How popular is Indira?

Indira is widely used across South Asia and in the Indian diaspora globally, with growing use in the United States and Europe.