Pranava
Pranava (प्रणव) is a Sanskrit-origin Hindu boy-name meaning “The sacred syllable Oṃ; the primordial sound”. Find pronunciation, origin, deity association, popularity and similar Hindu baby names.
Pranava (प्रणव) is a Sanskrit-origin Hindu boy-name meaning “The sacred syllable Oṃ; the primordial sound”. Find pronunciation, origin, deity association, popularity and similar Hindu baby names.
Pranava (प्रणव, IAST: Praṇava) is a Sanskrit-origin Hindu boy-name meaning “The sacred syllable Oṃ; the primordial sound”. Derived from the root 'ṇu' (to praise, to sound) with the prefix 'pra' (before, forth), Praṇava identifies Vishnu with Oṃ — the primal vibration that precedes and pervades all of existence.
Meaning, etymology & significance
Praṇava is one of the most sacred names in the entire Sahasranama, for it equates Vishnu with the syllable Oṃ — the unmanifest sound from which the entire cosmos resonates into being. The Māṇḍūkya Upanishad teaches that 'all this is verily Oṃ,' and the Bhagavad Gītā (7.8) confirms 'I am the Praṇava in all the Vedas.' As Praṇava, Vishnu is not merely described by a syllable but is the living reality that the syllable points toward. Every utterance of Oṃ is thus a direct invocation of the Lord.
Praṇava is also borne as an epithet by Śiva and is revered across all Hindu traditions as the universal divine sound. Pronounced 'PRA-na-va,' this name is widely used as a given name for boys in India today and carries timeless spiritual resonance.
Scriptural source
Pranava appears in the Vishnu Sahasranama, among the sacred names of Vishnu.
Pranava — Name Facts
- Meaning
- The sacred syllable Oṃ; the primordial sound
- Gender
- Hindu boy name
- Nakshatra
- Uttara Phalguni
- Rashi
- Kanya (Virgo)
- Numerology
- 6
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Pranava mean?
Pranava is a Sanskrit-origin Hindu boy name meaning “The sacred syllable Oṃ; the primordial sound”.
Is Pranava a boy or girl name?
Pranava is traditionally a Hindu boy name.
Which nakshatra and rashi suit the name Pranava?
By the first-syllable rule of Vedic naming, Pranava aligns with the Uttara Phalguni nakshatra, under the Kanya (Virgo) rashi.
What is the numerology number of Pranava?
The Chaldean name number of Pranava is 6.
Explore more: Uttara Phalguni nakshatra names · Kanya rashi names · Hindu boy names with P · All Hindu names A–Z