Abinaya first name popularity, history and meaning

Find out how popular the first name Abinaya has been for the last 19 years (from 1999 to 2017) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Meaning of Abinaya

A feminine Hindu Indian name meaning "acting, drama, or performance".

Popularity of Abinaya by gender

Based on the last 19 years of data, Abinaya is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 2017, there were 5 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Abinaya.

Year Male Count Female Count
2017 0 5
2015 0 5
2013 0 5
2011 0 8
2010 0 5
2006 0 6
2005 0 7
2004 0 5
2002 0 7
1999 0 5

The history of the first name Abinaya

The name Abinaya has its origins in Sanskrit, an ancient language of the Indian subcontinent. It is derived from the root words "abhi" meaning "towards" or "unto" and "naya" meaning "to lead" or "to guide." The name loosely translates to "one who guides" or "one who leads."

In Hindu mythology, the name Abinaya finds mention in the Natya Shastra, an ancient Sanskrit treatise on the performing arts. It is associated with the concept of abhinaya, which refers to the expression of emotions through gestures and movements in classical Indian dance forms like Bharatanatyam.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Abinaya can be traced back to the 5th century CE. Abinaya Nandini, a renowned dancer and courtesan, is mentioned in the Pratima Nataka, a Sanskrit play written during the Gupta period.

In the 16th century, Abinaya Sundari, a celebrated Devadasi (temple dancer) from the Vijayanagar Empire, was known for her exceptional dancing skills and is remembered for her contributions to the art form.

Abinaya Ravi, born in 1958, is a prominent Indian classical dancer and choreographer who has received numerous accolades, including the Padma Shri and Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, for her work in promoting and preserving the Bharatanatyam dance tradition.

Abinaya Venkatesan, born in 1992, is a renowned Bharatanatyam dancer and actress who has performed extensively both in India and abroad. She has received several awards, including the Nritya Chudamani and Kalaimamani titles.

Abinaya Ramesh, born in 1986, is a notable Bharatanatyam dancer and choreographer who has won critical acclaim for her innovative performances that blend traditional and contemporary elements.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Abinaya was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Abinaya, please contact us.

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"Abinaya first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on May 4, 2025. http://namecensus.com/first-names/abinaya-meaning-and-history/.

"Abinaya first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/first-names/abinaya-meaning-and-history/. Accessed 4 May, 2025

Abinaya first name popularity, history and meaning. NameCensus.com. Retrieved from http://namecensus.com/first-names/abinaya-meaning-and-history/.

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