Indira
Meaning of Indira
Indira, etymologically derived from the Sanskrit indīrā and connoting “splendour” or “beauty,” occupies a distinctive position within both South Asian and Western naming registers. Its inception in the ancient Vedic lexicon links it directly to the goddess Lakshmi, emblematic of prosperity and auspicious fortune, while its modern resonance was amplified by the political legacy of Indira Gandhi, India’s first and, to date, only female prime minister. In Anglo-American contexts, the name has sustained a continuous but modest presence: Social Security Administration data trace its entry into the top 1,000 female names in 1966 (rank 702, 43 occurrences) and document a gradual descent into the high 800s by 2024 (rank 897, 53 occurrences). This longitudinal trend underscores a pattern of enduring, cross-cultural appeal, wherein Indira’s Sanskrit heritage and historic associations converge with contemporary Western naming practices to yield a designation that is at once culturally rich and technically measurable in its adoption.
Pronunciation
Indian (Hindi)
- Pronunced as in-DEER-ah (/ɪnˈdɪərə/)
U.S. Popularity Chart
Notable People Named Indira
| Indira Gandhi was India's first and only female prime minister, serving from 1966 to 1977 and again from 1980 to 1984. |
| Indira Varma is a British actress and narrator best known for her roles in Game of Thrones, Rome, and Luther. |
| Indira Jaising is an Indian lawyer and human rights advocate who became India's first female Additional Solicitor General. |
| Indira Lynn Scott is an American fashion model who closed Dior's haute couture show in her debut season and appeared on a Vogue cover. |
| Indira Joshi is a Nepalese singer who has judged Nepal Idol and Miss Universe Nepal 2021. |
