Boy · Sanskrit · Hindu
Valmiki
वाल्मीकिSay it vaal-MEE-ki
- Meaning today
- Sage Valmiki, born of an anthill
- Original meaning
- "the celebrated poet of the Ramayana, named from an anthill" Monier-Williams, p. 946
- Say it
- vaal-MEE-ki
- Written
- वाल्मीकि
- Other spellings
- Balmiki
- First sound
- वा · Vrishabh rashi
Valmiki
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Valmiki meaning
Valmiki (वाल्मीकि) is a Hindu boy's name of Sanskrit origin. By its first sound, वा, it is a Vrishabh rashi name (Rohini nakshatra) in the North Indian table.
The celebrated poet of the Ramayana, named from an anthill
Also used to mean: sage Valmiki, born of an anthill
Valmiki (वाल्मीकि) is the name of the poet of the Rāmāyaṇa, honoured as the ādi-kavi, the first poet. Monier-Williams records the story behind the name: ants built their hill over him while he sat motionless in meditation, and valmīka is the Sanskrit for an anthill. He is credited with inventing the śloka, the metre of Sanskrit epic verse. Tradition says he was a robber before he became a sage, and in the Rāmāyaṇa he shelters Sītā and her sons Lava and Kuśa. Name lists give it as "sage Valmiki" or "born of an anthill".
Source: Monier-Williams, Sanskrit–English Dictionary (1899), p. 946 · entry vālmīki · See the entry · checked 25 Oct 2026
References: Monier-Williams, vālmīki, p. 946 · Wikipedia, Valmiki
Famous namesakes
- Valmiki, poet of the Ramayana
Fits your syllable
First sound वा
Rohini nakshatra, pada 2 · Vrishabh rashi
North Indian table. Tables vary by region and family tradition, so confirm with your priest.
Spellings
Valmiki · Balmiki