Vaniya first name popularity, history and meaning

Find out how popular the first name Vaniya has been for the last 22 years (from 2001 to 2022) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Meaning of Vaniya

A feminine name of Sanskrit origin meaning "trader, merchant".

Popularity of Vaniya by gender

Based on the last 22 years of data, Vaniya is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 2022, there were 5 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Vaniya.

Year Male Count Female Count
2022 0 5
2021 0 8
2016 0 5
2014 0 6
2013 0 6
2012 0 6
2011 0 7
2010 0 7
2009 0 9
2008 0 7
2007 0 10
2006 0 10
2005 0 5
2004 0 5
2003 0 5
2002 0 8
2001 0 5

The history of the first name Vaniya

The name Vaniya has its roots in the Sanskrit language and is believed to have originated in ancient India. It is derived from the Sanskrit word "vanij," which means "merchant" or "trader." This suggests that the name may have been initially associated with the mercantile or trading communities of the subcontinent.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Vaniya can be found in the ancient Hindu texts known as the Puranas, particularly the Bhagavata Purana. Here, it is mentioned as the name of a sage or rishi who was revered for his wisdom and spiritual knowledge.

During the medieval period, the name Vaniya gained prominence among certain Hindu communities, particularly in regions like Gujarat and Rajasthan, where it was commonly used by members of the Vaishya or Bania caste, which traditionally consisted of merchants and traders.

Historically, several notable individuals bore the name Vaniya. One such figure was Vaniya Pathak, a renowned Sanskrit scholar and poet who lived in the 16th century and authored several works on Hindu philosophy and literature.

Another remarkable person with this name was Vaniya Dasa, a 17th-century saint and poet from Gujarat who composed numerous devotional songs and hymns in praise of the Hindu deity Krishna. His literary contributions played a significant role in the Bhakti movement of that era.

In the 19th century, Vaniya Sarabhai was a prominent industrialist and philanthropist from the state of Gujarat. He established several businesses and educational institutions, contributing significantly to the economic and social development of the region.

During the Indian independence movement, Vaniya Gandhi, a close associate of Mahatma Gandhi, played an active role in the non-violent struggle against British colonial rule. She was born in 1897 and worked tirelessly for women's empowerment and social reforms.

In more recent times, Vaniya Kapoor was a celebrated Indian classical dancer and choreographer who was born in 1928 and passed away in 2004. She was widely acclaimed for her contributions to the preservation and promotion of traditional Indian dance forms.

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

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

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"Vaniya first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on July 4, 2025. http://namecensus.com/first-names/vaniya-meaning-and-history/.

"Vaniya first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/first-names/vaniya-meaning-and-history/. Accessed 4 July, 2025

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

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