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.