Nandini

Nandini meaning

Nandini (नन्दिनी) is a Hindu girl's name of Sanskrit origin.

A daughter; a name of Durga and of Ganga

Also used to mean: delightful

Nandini (नन्दिनी) is Sanskrit nandinī, a feminine word from the root nand, "to rejoice" or "to be glad". Monier-Williams gives its first sense as "a daughter", and also lists it as a name of Durgā and of the Gaṅgā. In the Mahābhārata and Kalidasa's Raghuvaṃśa, Nandinī is the fabulous wish-granting cow of the sage Vasiṣṭha; in the epic's best-known episode King Vishvamitra tries to take her from the sage by force and fails, a defeat that turns him towards austerity. Name lists give Nandini as "daughter" and often "delightful" or "joyful", which draw on the same root nand. The name is also written नंदिनी.

In Hindu tradition this is a name of Durga.

Source: Monier-Williams, Sanskrit–English Dictionary (1899), p. 527 · entry nandinī · See the entry · checked 25 Oct 2026

References: Monier-Williams, nandinī, p. 527 · Mahabharata, Adi Parva (Ganguli translation), Vasishtha and Vishvamitra

Famous namesakes

• Nandini, the wish-granting cow of the sage Vasishtha

Fits your syllable

First sound न

Anuradha nakshatra, pada 1 · Vrishchik rashi

This exact sound isn't in the table; the closest is ना, which differs only in vowel length. North Indian table. Tables vary by region and family tradition, so confirm with your priest.

Spellings

Nandini · Nandhini

Related names

Also meaning goddess

Also starting with Nan-

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