Girl · Sanskrit · Hindu
Pankaja
पंकजाSay it PUN-kuh-jaa
- Meaning
- A lotus (literally 'born of mud') Monier-Williams, p. 574
- Say it
- PUN-kuh-jaa
- Written
- पंकजा
- Other spellings
- Pankajaa
Pankaja
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Pankaja meaning
Pankaja (पंकजा) is a Hindu girl's name of Sanskrit origin.
A lotus (literally 'born of mud')
Pankaja (पंकजा) is the feminine of paṅkaja, "born of mud", from paṅka, "mud", and -ja, "born". Monier-Williams defines paṅkaja as a species of lotus, Nelumbium speciosum, the flower that rises clean out of muddy water, and notes that the Kathāsaritsāgara once uses the feminine form. The image of the lotus that grows from mud yet stays unstained is a favourite in Indian poetry and teaching. Pankaja is the girls' counterpart of Pankaj; the Maharashtra politician Pankaja Munde is a well-known bearer.
Source: Monier-Williams, Sanskrit–English Dictionary (1899), p. 574 · entry paṅkaja · See the entry · checked 25 Oct 2026
References: Monier-Williams, paṅkaja, p. 574 · Pankaja Munde (Wikipedia)
Famous namesakes
- Pankaja Munde, Maharashtra politician
Fits your syllable
First sound प
Uttara Phalguni nakshatra, pada 3 · Kanya rashi
This exact sound isn't in the table; the closest is पा, which differs only in vowel length. North Indian table. Tables vary by region and family tradition, so confirm with your priest.
Spellings
Pankaja · Pankajaa