Boy · Persian (Punjabi usage) · Sikh
Nishan
ਨਿਸ਼ਾਨSay it ni-SHAAN
- Meaning today
- Sign, symbol, mark
- Original meaning
- "sign, mark, insignia; a banner or standard; a kettledrum" Mahan Kosh
- Say it
- ni-SHAAN
- Written
- ਨਿਸ਼ਾਨ
- Other spellings
- Nishaan
Nishan
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Nishan meaning
Nishan (ਨਿਸ਼ਾਨ) is a Sikh boy's name of Persian origin (Punjabi usage).
Sign, mark, insignia; a banner or standard; a kettledrum
Also used to mean: symbol
Nishan (ਨਿਸ਼ਾਨ) is the Persian word nishān, a sign or mark. The Mahan Kosh, under the older Gurbani spelling ਨੀਸਾਣੁ, gives a mark of approval, a written token and a war drum; Steingass's Persian dictionary adds a banner, ensign or standard. In the Japji, Guru Nanak speaks of those who sing of God's gifts and know His sign (Ang 1). For Sikhs the word is best known from the Nishan Sahib, the saffron flag that flies at every gurdwara. Name lists give "sign" or "symbol". It is a boys' name in Sikh families.
Source: Mahan Kosh, Bhai Kahn Singh Nabha (1930) · entry ਨੀਸਾਣੁ · See the entry
Also: Guru Granth Sahib, Ang 1 · Steingass, p. 1403 · checked 25 Oct 2026
References: Mahan Kosh, ਨੀਸਾਣੁ (srigranth.org) · Sri Guru Granth Sahib, Ang 1 · Steingass, nishān (نشان), p. 1403 · Wikipedia, Nishan Sahib
Spellings
Nishan · Nishaan