Indra Unisex
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: IN-dra /ˈɪn.drə/
Origin: Sanskrit; Hindu
Meaning: Sanskrit: 'possessing drops'; Hindu: 'the king of gods'
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Indra has its roots in ancient Sanskrit, deriving from the word 'Indra' (इन्द्र), which translates to 'possessor of rain' or 'the great god.' In Hindu mythology, Indra is recognized as the king of the gods and the ruler of heaven, often associated with thunderstorms, rain, and war. The etymological journey of the name can be traced back to the Vedic texts, where Indra is a prominent deity in the Rigveda, one of the oldest known scriptures, dating back to around 1500-1200 BCE.
The name entered various languages and cultures through the spread of Hinduism and Indian literature, influencing several neighboring regions and their mythologies. Throughout history, Indra has been a significant figure in various texts and traditions, symbolizing power and authority.
In addition to the Vedic literature, Indra appears in later Hindu epics such as the Mahabharata and the Ramayana, where he plays crucial roles in various narratives, often depicted as a warrior and protector of the heavens. His character has been interpreted in various ways, embodying both benevolence and wrath, which reflects the duality of nature itself.
The name has also been adopted in various forms across different cultures, including in Southeast Asia, where Indra is revered in Buddhist traditions. Culturally, Indra represents not only the divine but also the natural elements, particularly rain, which is vital for agriculture and sustenance.
This association has made the name resonate deeply within agrarian societies, where the blessings of rain are crucial for survival. The name Indra has also been linked to various festivals and rituals, celebrating the deity's role in providing rain and fertility to the earth.
In some contexts, diminutive forms or variations of the name may exist, reflecting local linguistic adaptations, but the core significance of Indra as a powerful and protective figure remains a constant throughout its historical and cultural journey.
Famous people named Indra
In this section, you will find notable people named Indra. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Indra who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Indra who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.
Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.
Indra Nooyi is a business executive best known for serving as the CEO of PepsiCo and her work in corporate strategy.
Indra Kumar is a film director and producer best known for Dil, Beta, and Masti.
Fictional characters named Indra
The following list of fictional characters named Indra is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.
You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.
Indra is a fictional character from the video game series Shin Megami Tensei. They are a powerful deity representing the heavens and often associated with thunder and storms.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Indra, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
Similar names
Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Indra. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Indra was first seen in the United States in 1951.
Indra has ranked as high as #1366 nationally, which occurred in 2015, and has been most popular in California, New York, and Texas.
In the past 5 years the name Indra has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Indra is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Indra was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Indra (2020)
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. In some cases, you may see four or five states listed. However, we only display states where the name represents a significant percentage of births, so the number of states shown can range from one to several.
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| CA | 7 |
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Indra.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 9 |
| 2023 | 12 |
| 2022 | 15 |
| 2021 | 18 |
| 2020 | 27 |
| 2019 | 17 |
| 2018 | 20 |
| 2017 | 20 |
| 2016 | 21 |
| 2015 | 28 |
| 2014 | 12 |
| 2013 | 15 |
| 2012 | 12 |
| 2011 | 11 |
| 2010 | 16 |
| 2009 | 13 |
| 2008 | 11 |
| 2007 | 16 |
| 2006 | 19 |
| 2005 | 16 |
| 2004 | 12 |
| 2003 | 16 |
| 2002 | 6 |
| 2001 | 16 |
| 2000 | 15 |
| 1999 | 11 |
| 1998 | 17 |
| 1997 | 15 |
| 1996 | 11 |
| 1995 | 12 |
| 1994 | 12 |
| 1993 | 7 |
| 1992 | 5 |
| 1991 | 9 |
| 1990 | 10 |
| 1989 | 9 |
| 1988 | 6 |
| 1987 | 9 |
| 1986 | 5 |
| 1985 | 15 |
| 1984 | 13 |
| 1983 | 12 |
| 1982 | 6 |
| 1981 | 13 |
| 1980 | 10 |
| 1979 | 6 |
| 1978 | 8 |
| 1977 | 15 |
| 1976 | 7 |
| 1975 | 17 |
| 1974 | 13 |
| 1973 | 9 |
| 1972 | 8 |
| 1971 | 13 |
| 1970 | 6 |
| 1969 | 9 |
| 1968 | 14 |
| 1967 | 15 |
| 1966 | 8 |
| 1965 | 6 |
| 1964 | 5 |
| 1962 | 10 |
| 1961 | 5 |
| 1957 | 5 |
| 1956 | 7 |
| 1955 | 5 |
| 1954 | 5 |
| 1951 | 7 |