Fun Facts About the Name Abhaya
- 12 babies named Abhaya: U.S. records list 12 babies given the name Abhaya from 1880 through 2025.
What Does the Name Abhaya Mean?
Abhaya is a Sanskrit name meaning "without fear" or "fearless." It is built from the negative prefix a- ("not, without") and bhaya ("fear, danger"), so the literal sense is "free from fear." The same word works as an ordinary Sanskrit noun and adjective, not only as a personal name, which is why it turns up in religious vocabulary as well as in naming.
Abhaya Name History & Origins
Abhaya is an old word in Sanskrit and appears across Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain settings. In Buddhist and Hindu art it names the abhaya mudra, the gesture of the right hand raised with the palm outward, understood as a sign of reassurance and protection; Buddha images and images of Hindu deities are often shown making it. In Hindu religious and legal usage, abhayadāna, the "gift of fearlessness," is a grant of safety extended to a person, and sometimes to animals.
As a personal name it is used in India and in Sri Lanka. Jain literature tells of Abhayakumara, traditionally described as a son of King Shrenika (Bimbisara), whose story is a well-known one in Jain narrative. In Sri Lankan history the name is tied to the Abhayagiri monastery at Anuradhapura, founded in the first century BCE and associated with King Vattagamani Abhaya; tradition connects its name to an ascetic the king had wronged. The shorter form Abhay and the form Abhaya with its final -a both occur as given names in modern India, and the name is also found among Indian communities abroad.
How Popular is the Name Abhaya?
Abhaya has historically been an exceptionally rare given name in the United States, remaining well outside the national mainstream. It saw its highest recorded annual births in 2019. Its best rank was #12,455 in 2019.
U.S. name popularity from 1880-2025, based on SSA data. Rank shows how the name compares with other names - lower numbers mean greater popularity. Births shows how many babies received the name each year.
| Year | Rank | Births | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | #12,455 | 7 | 0.0004% |
| 2018 | #15,697 | 5 | 0.0003% |
Name popularity over more than a century, based on Social Security Administration data. Gaps in the chart indicate years when the name does not appear in the published records.
Most Popular Girl Names That Start with A
How the Name Abhaya Shapes Your Personality and Life?
Powerful and complete. You are good intellectually and require several outlets for your energies. You are not a builder but a planner, and you want others to carry out your plans. You are bold, independent, inquisitive and interested in research. You know what you want and why you want it.
You are always looking for an opportunity to achieve financial and emotional security. You are basically peacemaker. You understand the law of harmony and desire to balance your life with those around you. You may feel incomplete without someone to share your love, ideals, wealth or work. You can be very sensitive and could appear a bit shy and perceptive. You have developed intuition, patience and the ability to nurture others. You can achieve the state of happiness if you are willing to accept your needs in a complimentary relationship and go to create them.
✦ Abhaya's Deeper Meaning & Tips for Parents Discover Abhaya's symbolic numbers and practical tips for choosing a name that complements your child's birth date.