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Some Common Tibetan Names and Their Meanings

Name Pronunciation* Meaning
Chodha CHÖ-dah Dharma Spreader
Choden CHÖ-den One who is devout, religious
Chodron CHÖ-dron Light of Dharma
Choegyal CHÖ-gyel Dharma king
Choejor CHÖ-jor Spiritual wealth
Cholha CHÖ-la Goddess of Dharma
Chophel chö-PELL The flourishing of the Dharma
Choyang CHO-yong Melody of Dharma
Daod DAH-wood Light of moon
Dawa DAH-wah Moon, Monday
Dhargey DAR-gyeh Progress, development, spreading
Dolma DOL-ma Tara
Dorje DOR-jeh Vajra (Skt.), something indestructible that can cut through anything, often equated with "diamond" or "thunderbolt"
Dralha DRA-la Goddess of sound
Drilha DREE-la Goddess of scent
Drolma DOL-ma Tara
Drimad DREE-mahd Stainless
Duga DOO-gah  
Gelek GEH-lek Excellent virtue
Gyaltsen GYEL-tsen Victory Banner
Jampa JAHM-pah Loving-kindness (Tibetan name for the Buddha Maitreya)
Jamyang JAHM-yahng Gentle voice (Tibetan name for the Bodhisattva Manjushri)
Jinpa JIN-pah Generosity (one of the Six Perfections)
Jungney JOONG-nay Source, origin
Kalsang KEL-sahng Good fortune
Karma KAR-mah Action, deed
Kunchen KÜN-chen All-knowing
Lamdron LAM-dren Light of path
Legshey LEG-shay Teaching
Lhamo LA-mo Goddess
Lhundup HLÜN-d(r)oop Spontaneously accomplished
Lobsang LO-sahng Noble-minded, good heart
Ngawang NGAH-wahng Powerful speech
Ngodup NGÖ-d(r)oop Attainment, accomplishment
Nima NEE-mah Sun
Norbu NOR-boo Jewel
Norlha NOR-la Goddess of wealth
Odlha WUR-la Goddess of light
Palden PEL-den Glorious, powerful
Palkyi PAHL-shee Glorious happiness
Palmo PAHL-mo Goddess of courage
Paltso PAHL-tso Glorious ocean
Pema PEH-mah Lotus
Phuntsok PÜN-tsok Excellence
Rabten RAHB-ten Steadfast
Rinchen RIN-chen Precious jewel (lit: great value)
Rolha RO-la Goddess of taste
Samdup SAHM-d(r)oop Fulfillment (of one's wishes)
Sangpo SANG-po Gentle, good heart
Sangye SAHN-gyeh Buddha
Sherab SHARE-ub Wisdom
Sonam SÖ-nahm Merit, fortune
Suklha SOOK-la Goddess of form
Tashi TAH-shee Auspicious, fortunate
Tenpa TEN-pa Buddha's teaching
Tenzin TEN-zin Holder of the teachings
Thekchen TEK-chen Mahayana
Thokmay TOK-meh Unobstructed, unhindered
Thubten TOOB-ten The Buddha's teaching
Tinley T(R)IN-leh Enlightened activity
Tsering TSEH-ring Long life
Tseten TSEH-ten Stable life
Tsewang TSEH-wahng Life empowerment
Tsolha TSO-la Goddess of lake
Wangchuk WAHNG-chook Lord, mighty
Wangdak WAHNG-dahk  
Wangdue WAHNG-doo Subduer
Yama YAH-mah
Yangtso YANG-tso Singing of ocean
Yeshe YEH-she Wisdom
Yonten YÖN-ten Good qualities
Youdron YOU-dron Turquoise Light
Zopa ZO-pa Patience

* The (r) signifies a slight "r" sound.