पंकज

Pankaj

boySanskritHindu

Pankaj is a Hindu boy name of Sanskrit origin, meaning “Lotus; born of the mud”.

MeaningLotus; born of the mud
GenderBoy
OriginSanskrit
Written asपंकज
PronunciationPUNG-kuj
TraditionHindu
Used inIndia, Nepal

Meaning and origin of Pankaj

Pankaj joins panka, 'mud', and ja, 'born', so it literally means 'born from mud', a poetic name for the lotus, which rises clean and beautiful from murky water. That image of purity untouched by its surroundings is central to Indian religious thought. The name became very popular in twentieth-century India; well-known bearers include the actor Pankaj Kapur, the ghazal singer Pankaj Udhas and the actor Pankaj Tripathi.

Is Pankaj a Hindu name?

Pankaj is a Hindu name; the lotus is associated with Vishnu, Lakshmi and Brahma and is a symbol of spiritual purity.

How popular is Pankaj?

A widely used boys' name in India, especially among men born from the 1960s to the 1980s.

Gifts with the name Pankaj

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Spellings and variants of Pankaj

PankajaPankaaj

Names similar to Pankaj

More Hindu boy names

Frequently asked questions

What does the name Pankaj mean?

Pankaj means 'Lotus; born of the mud'. It is of Sanskrit origin.

Is Pankaj a Hindu name?

Pankaj is a Hindu name; the lotus is associated with Vishnu, Lakshmi and Brahma and is a symbol of spiritual purity.

How do you pronounce Pankaj?

Pankaj is pronounced PUNG-kuj.

Is Pankaj a boy or girl name?

Pankaj is usually a boy name.

Updated October 2026. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.