Boy · Sanskrit · Hindu
Vinayak
विनायकSay it vi-NAA-yuk
- Meaning today
- Remover of obstacles, Lord Ganesha
- Original meaning
- "'remover of obstacles': a name of Ganesha; a leader, guide" Monier-Williams, p. 972
- Say it
- vi-NAA-yuk
- Written
- विनायक
- Other spellings
- Vinayaka
Vinayak
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Vinayak meaning
Vinayak (विनायक) is a Hindu boy's name of Sanskrit origin.
'remover of obstacles': a name of Ganesha; a leader, guide
Also used to mean: Lord Ganesha
Vinayak (विनायक) is the Sanskrit vināyaka, from vi-nī, "to lead away, to remove". Monier-Williams gives it as "remover (of obstacles)", a name of Ganesha, and also as a leader or guide, a spiritual teacher, a Buddha, and a name of Garuda. Ganesha's festival, Vinayaka Chaturthi or Ganesh Chaturthi, carries this name, and the eight Ashtavinayak temples of Maharashtra are named from it. Some modern readings split the word into vi- and nāyaka, "leader", which echoes the dictionary's "leader, guide". Name lists give Vinayak as "remover of obstacles" or "Lord Ganesha", matching the dictionary. It is used in Maharashtra and Karnataka.
In Hindu tradition this is a name of Ganesha.
Source: Monier-Williams, Sanskrit–English Dictionary (1899), p. 972 · entry vi-nāyaka · See the entry · checked 25 Oct 2026
References: Monier-Williams, vi-nāyaka, p. 972 · Wikipedia, Ganesh Chaturthi
Fits your syllable
First sound वि
Rohini nakshatra, pada 3 · Vrishabh rashi
This exact sound isn't in the table; the closest is वी, which differs only in vowel length. North Indian table. Tables vary by region and family tradition, so confirm with your priest.
Spellings
Vinayak · Vinayaka