नीरजा

Neerja

girlSanskritHindu

Neerja is a Hindu girl name of Sanskrit origin, meaning “Lotus; born of water”.

MeaningLotus; born of water
GenderGirl
OriginSanskrit
Written asनीरजा
PronunciationNEER-jah
TraditionHindu
Used inIndia

Meaning and origin of Neerja

Neerja is the feminine form of Neeraj, from nira, 'water', and ja, 'born', a poetic word for the lotus. The name became widely known through Neerja Bhanot, the flight attendant who saved passengers on Pan Am Flight 73 in 1986 and was posthumously awarded the Ashoka Chakra, India's highest peacetime bravery award. A 2016 film about her renewed the name's visibility.

Is Neerja a Hindu name?

Neerja is a Hindu name; the lotus is associated with Lakshmi and Saraswati.

How popular is Neerja?

Used in India, sometimes chosen in honour of Neerja Bhanot.

Gifts with the name Neerja

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. We may earn a small commission from these links, at no extra cost to you.

Spellings and variants of Neerja

NeerajaNiraja

Names similar to Neerja

More Hindu girl names

Frequently asked questions

What does the name Neerja mean?

Neerja means 'Lotus; born of water'. It is of Sanskrit origin.

Is Neerja a Hindu name?

Neerja is a Hindu name; the lotus is associated with Lakshmi and Saraswati.

How do you pronounce Neerja?

Neerja is pronounced NEER-jah.

Is Neerja a boy or girl name?

Neerja is usually a girl name.

Updated October 2026. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.