India

updated Sept 2015

India ~ the country ~ English

There's a lot to love about the name India, including its sweet sound, "place name" status, and the country it refers to. India is a vibrant nation with food, music, celebrations, spirituality, and styles of clothing and decor that we love to borrow. The word, which comes from Sanskrit and means "body of water," reflects the unique culture that many of us appreciate.

History
It's a little unexpected that such a modern-sounding name has a long history of use. In the US, girls were named India as early as the 1800s. Why? The British were using the name because they viewed India as intriguing and beautiful. During the English rule ("Raj") in India, the name of the country was on the minds of many, influencing the US and Wales. This is even confirmed by the character India Wilkes from Gone with the Wind, which is set in the 1860s. The choice of the name India is a prime example of author Margaret Mitchell's attention to historic detail.

Popularity and Use
Eventually India's popularity faded and it dropped out of the top 1,000 names in 1912. The 1936 novel Gone with the Wind became a phenomenon, won the Pulitzer Prize, and was made into a film which won an Academy Award; but the name India wasn't ranked in the top 1,000 again until the 1970s. Since India is a nation primarily of Hindus and Muslims, the 70s were a prime time for the name to return. Many were influenced by Eastern mysticism and Mahatma Ghandi, and India was used as a tribute to both. From there, the name steadily grew in popularity among all kinds of parents, regardless of background or religion.

India is a name likely to go through phases of waxing and waning in popularity. When India Arie's first album was released in 2001, the name rose in popularity by 100 spots. But the name has since fallen out of the top 1,000 names in the US. India remains exotic but familiar and grounded in history. I think it's is a wonderful baby name with a pretty sound, and I hope it continues to be used for years to come.

Celebrity Status
There are a lot of celebrity connections to this name. Celebrities named India include:

• India Arie, recording artist
• India Eisley, child actress in The Secret Life of the American Teenager
• India Hicks, British actress and model with royal lineage

Celebrities who named their daughter India

• Sarah McLachlan, singer and songwriter
• Philip Michael Thomas, actor known for his role in Miami Vice
• Dan Cortese, actor who played roles in Seinfeld and What I Like About You
• Cahterine Oxenberg, actress known for her role in Dynasty
• Corey Hart, Canadian musician