Deva

The name Deva originates from Sanskrit, an ancient Indo-Aryan language. In Hinduism, 'Deva' (masculine) refers to a god or a divine being, while 'Devi' (feminine) refers to a goddess. The root 'div-' means 'to shine,' implying a radiant or luminous quality associated with divinity. This concept is central to many Indian religions and philosophies.

While traditionally used to denote deities, 'Deva' has also been adopted as a personal name, often reflecting a wish for the child to embody divine qualities or to be blessed by the divine. Its usage as a personal name is more common in India and among the Indian diaspora, and it can be applied to both males and females, though the masculine form 'Deva' is more prevalent for boys and 'Devi' for girls when referring to deities.