Girl · Sanskrit · Hindu
Abhinaya
अभिनयाSay it ubh-i-NUH-yaa
- Meaning today
- Expression, art of dance and drama
- Original meaning
- "expressing a feeling by look and gesture; acting" Monier-Williams, p. 64
- Say it
- ubh-i-NUH-yaa
- Written
- अभिनया
- Other spellings
- Abinaya, Abhinayaa
- First sound
- अ · Mesh rashi
Abhinaya
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Abhinaya meaning
Abhinaya (अभिनया) is a Hindu girl's name of Sanskrit origin. By its first sound, अ, it is a Mesh rashi name (Krittika nakshatra) in the North Indian table.
Expressing a feeling by look and gesture; acting
Also used to mean: expression, art of dance and drama
Abhinaya (अभिनया) takes its name from Sanskrit abhinaya, which Monier-Williams explains as showing a feeling or purpose by look and gesture, and as dramatic action. The word comes from abhi-nī, "to lead towards" or "to act out". In Indian classical dance and theatre, abhinaya is the art of expression: the face, hands, voice and costume that carry a story to the audience. Name lists give it as "expression", which is accurate. As a girls' name it is used in South India, where Bharatanatyam and Kuchipudi keep the word familiar.
Source: Monier-Williams, Sanskrit–English Dictionary (1899), p. 64 · entry abhinaya · See the entry · checked 25 Oct 2026
References: Monier-Williams, abhinaya, p. 64
Fits your syllable
First sound अ
Krittika nakshatra, pada 1 · Mesh rashi
North Indian table. Tables vary by region and family tradition, so confirm with your priest.
Spellings
Abhinaya · Abinaya · Abhinayaa