Menu
View History

Nalini

Overview

Nalini (Devanagari: नलिनी) is a feminine Indian given name of Sanskrit origin. The word carries several meanings, including "lotus", an epithet of the goddess Gayatri (regarded as the "mother of the Vedas"), "sweet nectar" or amrit, and the feminine form of "lily". The name is widely used across India and among the Indian diaspora, and it also appears as a stage name and surname element in South Asian cinema and public life.

Key facts

Name Nalini
Script नलिनी (Devanagari)
Language of origin Sanskrit
Gender Female
Meaning Lotus; lily; sweet nectar (amrit); epithet of Gayatri

Etymology and meaning

In Sanskrit, Nalini is associated with the lotus flower, a recurring symbol in Indian religious and literary traditions. The name is also linked with the goddess Gayatri, who is described in Hindu tradition as the mother of the Vedas. Additional shades of meaning include "sweet nectar" or amrit, and the feminine sense of "lily".

Notable people named Nalini

In cinema and entertainment

  • Nalini (born 1984), Indian actress.
  • Nalini Jaywant (1926–2010), Indian actress.
  • Nalini Krishan (born 1977), Fijian actress.
  • Nalini Negi (born 1990), Indian actress and model.

In literature and the arts

  • Nalini Bala Devi (1898–1977), Indian writer.
  • Nalini Bekal (born 1954), Indian writer.
  • Nalini Jameela (born 1955), Indian writer.
  • Nalini Selvaraj (1944–2014), Indian writer.
  • Nalini Priyadarshni (born 1974), Indian poet.
  • Nalini Malani (born 1946), Indian artist.

In academia and the sciences

  • Nalini Ambady (1959–2013), Indian psychologist.
  • Nalini Anantharaman (born 1976), French mathematician.
  • Nalini Balbir (born 1955), French scholar.
  • Nalini Joshi (born 1959), Australian mathematician.
  • Nalini Nadkarni (born 1954), American ecologist.

In public life, journalism and other fields

  • Nalini Chatterjee (died 1942), Indian judge.
  • Nalini Singh (born 1945), Indian journalist.
  • Nalini Singh (born 1977), New Zealand author.
  • Nalini Singh, human rights activist from Fiji.

Usage

As a given name, Nalini is found across linguistic communities in India, including speakers of Hindi, Marathi, Bengali, Assamese, Tamil, Malayalam, Kannada and Telugu. Its strong association with the lotus, an emblem of purity in Hindu and Buddhist iconography, has contributed to its sustained popularity. The name is also encountered in countries with significant Indian-origin populations such as Fiji, New Zealand, Australia and the United States, as reflected in the careers of several individuals who bear it.

References