Meaning & History
India is a feminine given name derived directly from the name of the country of India. The country's name originates from the Indus River, which in turn comes from the Sanskrit सिन्धु (Sindhu), meaning "body of trembling water, river." The name was historically used in English for girls, perhaps inspired by the exoticism of the Indian subcontinent.
Cultural Significance
In popular culture, the most famous bearer is India Wilkes, a character in Margaret Mitchell's 1936 novel Gone with the Wind. She is the sister of Ashley Wilkes and is portrayed as sweet and kind. The name has also been used sparingly in English-speaking countries and in Spanish-speaking contexts, as noted in usage in Spanish. While not common, it retains a romantic, literary association.
Related Forms
Related names include the Catalan form Índia.
- Meaning: "river" (from Sanskrit Sindhu)
- Origin: English and Spanish, from the country name India
- Type: Feminine given name
- Usage: English, Spanish
Related Names
Sources: Wikipedia — India