Indira
GirlSanskrit· “beauty, a name of Lakshmi”
- Meaning
- beauty, a name of Lakshmi
- Origin
- Sanskrit
- Pronunciation
- ihn-DEER-uh
- Syllables
- 3
- US rank 2025
- #3,797
- US babies 2025
- 39
- Best rank
- #1,721 (1966)
- Peak year
- 2001
Meaning and origin of Indira
Indira is a Sanskrit name that is usually said to mean “beauty, a name of Lakshmi”.
Indira is a Sanskrit name meaning "beauty" or "splendid," and it is one of the names of Lakshmi, the Hindu goddess of wealth and fortune. Indira Gandhi, the first woman to serve as Prime Minister of India, is the most famous bearer. The name has also been used in the Balkans and Central Asia. It is said in-DEER-uh. Indra and Indu are related names. Indi and Dira are possible short forms. Its link to Lakshmi gives it a devotional dimension for Hindu families.
Popularity over time
Indira first appears in US Social Security records in 1966. It has never ranked in the national top 1,000, which keeps it genuinely uncommon. Its best national rank was #1,721 in 1966, and the most babies received it in 2001, when 72 were named Indira. In 2025, 39 babies were named Indira, and it ranked #3,797 nationally. Its use has been fairly steady over the past decade.
Its national rank moved from #2,402 in 1980, #2,440 in 2000, #3,773 in 2010, and #3,797 in 2025. Of the 2,476 US girls named Indira since records began, 25% were born in the 2000s, its biggest decade. The 1990s come next, with 466 babies. Since 2010, 716 more have been named Indira.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Destani, Ishika, Dezarae, Dyani, and Mackenzy.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Indira ranked highest in New York.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| New York | #1912 | 6 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Indira is usually pronounced ihn-DEER-uh, with three syllables. It has six letters, starts with I and ends in “-ra”.
Middle names for Indira
A few middle names that flow with Indira: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Indira
Similar names
Lists that include Indira
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Indira mean?
Indira is a Sanskrit name that is usually said to mean “beauty, a name of Lakshmi”.
What is the origin of the name Indira?
Indira has Sanskrit roots. Indira is a Sanskrit name meaning "beauty" or "splendid," and it is one of the names of Lakshmi, the Hindu goddess of wealth and fortune.
Is Indira a popular name?
Not especially. Indira ranked #3,797 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Indira a boy or girl name?
Indira is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Indira?
Indira is usually pronounced ihn-DEER-uh. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings