जाह्नवी

Jahnavi

girlSanskritHindu

Jahnavi is a Hindu girl name of Sanskrit origin, meaning “The river Ganga”.

MeaningThe river Ganga
GenderGirl
OriginSanskrit
Written asजाह्नवी
PronunciationJAAH-nuh-vee
TraditionHindu
Used inIndia

Meaning and origin of Jahnavi

Jahnavi is a name of the Ganga, meaning 'daughter of Jahnu'. In the Puranic story the sage Jahnu, angered when the descending river flooded his hermitage, drank it up and later released it from his ear, so the Ganga became known as his daughter. The name honours the holiest river in Hinduism; the actress Janhvi Kapoor uses a popular modern spelling.

Is Jahnavi a Hindu name?

Jahnavi is a Hindu name for the goddess Ganga, revered as a purifying, life-giving river, and the story of the sage Jahnu explains the name.

How popular is Jahnavi?

Widely used in India and among the Indian diaspora.

Gifts with the name Jahnavi

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Spellings and variants of Jahnavi

JanhviJaahnaviJanavi

Names similar to Jahnavi

More Hindu girl names

Frequently asked questions

What does the name Jahnavi mean?

Jahnavi means 'The river Ganga'. It is of Sanskrit origin.

Is Jahnavi a Hindu name?

Jahnavi is a Hindu name for the goddess Ganga, revered as a purifying, life-giving river, and the story of the sage Jahnu explains the name.

How do you pronounce Jahnavi?

Jahnavi is pronounced JAAH-nuh-vee.

Is Jahnavi a boy or girl name?

Jahnavi is usually a girl name.

Updated October 2026. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.