Choosing a name for your boy in Karnataka? Families here use Kannada names, sometimes with names from other languages and communities. Below are names that keep appearing in recent Indian and regional name lists, with meanings. They are suggestions and not an official ranking, because India publishes no single list of names by state.
Popular now
- Darshan: vision
- Shreyas: excellence
- Puneeth: pure
- Chandan: sandalwood
- Rakshith: protected
- Tejas: radiance
- Pranav: the sacred Om
- Harsha: joy
Kannada favourites
- Manjunath: Lord Shiva
- Basavaraj: from Basava
- Nagaraj: king of snakes
- Vinay: modesty
- Kiran: a ray of light
Naming traditions in Karnataka
Kannada families often pick names from Sanskrit and Kannada, and Lingayat families may use names linked to Basavanna. Many families follow the nakshatra's starting syllable.
Before you choose
- Say the name aloud with the surname, and check the initials.
- Ask an elder, a priest or a language speaker to confirm the meaning, because meanings vary by source and community.
- Choose one spelling and use it on every document, from the birth certificate to Aadhaar.
- Check how the name sounds and reads in other languages, if your family may move.
More: Girl names in Karnataka, trending boy names across India, baby names for every state and how to choose a baby name.
Related guides and nearby states
Names in nearby states: Kerala boy names, Tamil Nadu boy names, Andhra Pradesh boy names, Telangana boy names, Goa boy names. Or see baby names for every state, how to choose a baby name, and pregnancy week by week.