Sunayana first name popularity, history and meaning

Find out how popular the first name Sunayana has been for the last 1 years (from 2017 to 2017) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Meaning of Sunayana

A feminine Sanskrit name meaning "daughter of a good family".

Popularity of Sunayana by gender

Based on the last 1 years of data, Sunayana 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 Sunayana.

Year Male Count Female Count
2017 0 5

The history of the first name Sunayana

The name Sunayana has its roots in the Sanskrit language, originating from ancient India during the Vedic period. It is a combination of two Sanskrit words: "suna," meaning "good" or "virtuous," and "yana," which means "path" or "journey." Together, Sunayana can be interpreted as "one who treads the virtuous path" or "one who follows the good journey."

In Hindu mythology, the name Sunayana is associated with Sunayana Devi, a devoted wife and the personification of marital fidelity. She is mentioned in the Ramayana, one of the two major Sanskrit epics of ancient India, composed around the 5th century BCE. Her unwavering devotion to her husband, Rishi Richika, despite his advanced age and physical disabilities, is celebrated as an exemplary display of wifely virtues.

One of the earliest recorded examples of the name Sunayana is found in the Mahabharata, another ancient Sanskrit epic dating back to the 8th or 9th century BCE. In this epic, Sunayana was the daughter of King Drupada and the wife of the Pandava prince, Arjuna. She is mentioned as a devoted and virtuous queen, embodying the ideals of Dharma (righteousness) and Pativrata (devotion to one's husband).

Throughout history, several notable figures have borne the name Sunayana:

  1. Sunayana Choudhury (born 1988) is an Indian actress and model known for her work in Bollywood films and television shows.

  2. Sunayana Kachroo (1987-2009) was an Indian student studying in the United States who was tragically murdered by her roommate's boyfriend in a hate crime incident.

  3. Sunayana Fozdar (born 1975) is an Indian television and film actress known for her roles in several popular TV serials and Bollywood movies.

  4. Sunayana Prasad (born 1986) is an Indian classical dancer and choreographer, renowned for her expertise in the Odissi dance form.

  5. Sunayana Rao (born 1982) is an Indian entrepreneur and co-founder of a successful technology startup, recognized for her contributions to the field of artificial intelligence and data analytics.

While the name Sunayana has ancient origins and is deeply rooted in Indian culture, it has transcended geographical boundaries and continues to be embraced by families across various communities and regions, carrying with it the essence of virtue, righteousness, and a commitment to treading a good path in life.

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 Sunayana was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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"Sunayana first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on June 6, 2025. http://namecensus.com/first-names/sunayana-meaning-and-history/.

"Sunayana first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/first-names/sunayana-meaning-and-history/. Accessed 6 June, 2025

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

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