Indra

Gender: Unisex

Meaning: King of gods

Origin: Sanskrit

Popularity: Ranked #6597 in 2025 with 13 babies born.

History: Indra is a Sanskrit name rooted in ancient Hindu mythology, derived from the word meaning 'king of gods.' In Hindu tradition, Indra is the lord of the heavens and king of the Devas, a deity associated with rain, thunderstorms, and warfare. The name carries significant spiritual weight across South Asian cultures, where it has been used for centuries. In the United States, Indra emerged as a given name during the mid-20th century, with the first recorded birth appearing in 1951. The name remained relatively uncommon through the latter decades of the 1900s, gaining modest traction as American families became increasingly diverse and multicultural. The real growth trajectory for Indra began in the early 2000s, particularly among parents drawn to Sanskrit names and Hindu heritage. The name reached its peak in 2015 with 28 babies named Indra, ranking at #3416 nationally. Since that high point, the name has gradually declined in frequency, reflecting broader shifts in naming trends. As of 2025, Indra ranks #6446 with 13 births recorded that year. Across its recorded history in America, the name has been given to 943 children, with a striking gender distribution: 813 girls and only 130 boys. This makes Indra predominantly a feminine name in contemporary American usage, a shift that reflects how Sanskrit names are often feminized in Western contexts.

Nicknames: Indy, Indie, Ind, Dra, Indri

Personality vibes: regal, mystical, powerful, serene, divine

Sibling name pairings: Arjun, Maya, Aditya, Priya, Rohan, Ananya, Vikram

Middle name ideas: Indra Rose, Indra Claire, Indra James, Indra Sofia, Indra Grace, Indra Maya, Indra Sophia

Famous people named Indra:

• Indra Nooyi — Former CEO of PepsiCo, one of Fortune's most powerful women.
• Indra Devi — Pioneer yogi credited with bringing yoga to the Western world.

Indra in America Today

Indra occupies a distinctive niche in modern American naming culture. It appeals primarily to families with South Asian heritage, Hindu spiritual backgrounds, or parents seeking names with mythological depth and international character. The name carries an air of sophistication and cultural pride without being overly common. In contemporary America, Indra is almost exclusively given to girls, a gendering pattern that differs from traditional Hindu usage where it functions as a unisex or masculine name. This reflects how Western parents often approach Sanskrit names, feminizing them through suffix associations or cultural reinterpretation. The name appeals to educated, cosmopolitan families who value meaningful etymology and cultural connection. It's strong enough to command attention without being difficult to pronounce in English-speaking contexts. Indra works well across age groups and maintains dignity whether on a child, teenager, or adult, making it a timeless choice for parents seeking something distinctive yet grounded in ancient tradition.

Naming Trends

Indra's presence in American birth records tells a story of gradual cultural integration and then stabilization. The name first appeared in 1951, marking the beginning of Indian immigration and cultural influence in America. For decades, it remained exceedingly rare, used primarily within Hindu and Indian American communities. The significant uptick began around 2010 as Sanskrit names gained mainstream appeal among diverse American parents. The peak arrived in 2015 with 28 births, representing the height of enthusiasm for Hindu and mythological names in that era. Since then, the trend has softened. The 2025 ranking of #6446 with 13 births indicates that while Indra maintains a steady userbase, it hasn't sustained explosive growth like some other Sanskrit names. With 943 total births across recorded history, Indra remains a genuinely rare name, placing it in the selective category of distinctive choices. The 813 girls to 130 boys ratio suggests that American parents have definitively gendered this name feminine, likely influenced by its rhythmic ending and association with other feminized Sanskrit names.

Cultural Notes

Indra operates at the intersection of Hindu mythology and contemporary American multiculturalism. In Indian communities, the name carries weight as a reference to one of the most important Vedic deities, making it a statement of cultural and spiritual identity. In broader American culture, Indra appears sporadically in media and literature, often chosen by writers and creators seeking names that suggest wisdom, power, and ethnic authenticity. The name has appeared in various television shows, films, and literary works, typically representing characters with spiritual depth or international backgrounds. It has not achieved celebrity saturation in entertainment, which actually works in its favor for parents wanting something substantive but not trendy. The most recognizable modern figure bearing the name is Indra Nooyi, whose high-profile corporate leadership role has lent contemporary cultural visibility to the name. In yoga and wellness communities, Indra's association with the divine and with figures like yoga pioneer Indra Devi creates a secondary cultural layer. However, the name remains primarily within South Asian American consciousness, representing a bridge between ancient tradition and contemporary identity.

Similar names: inder, indira, indee, indie, idara, inaara, inara, inarah

Name length: 5 letters

How common is Indra? About 1 in 144,717 babies born in 2025 were named Indra, or roughly 0.1 per day in the United States.

Explore more baby names at BabyNa.me — 29,000+ names with meanings, origins, and popularity trends.