No More Sheru, Shaitan Or Kalu? Rajasthan Govt Will Now Change Inappropriate Names Of Children

Last Updated:April 15, 2026, 11:22 IST

The idea is to move away from names seen as unclear or negative, which officials believe can affect a child’s confidence and identity.

In Rajasthan, a name is no small matter. The state government has rolled out a new drive that looks at schoolchildren’s names and asks a simple question – do they carry the right meaning?

Under the “Saarthak Naam Abhiyan" or Meaningful Names Campaign, names like Sheru, Shaitan, Kalu and Tinku may soon be replaced. The idea is to move away from names seen as unclear or negative, which officials believe can affect a child’s confidence and identity.

To help families, the education department has prepared a list of nearly 3,000 names – 1,409 for boys and 1,541 for girls. Options include Abheer, Agnibha, Balmukund, Badrinath, Aradhya, Annapurna and Vaishnavi, each with its meaning.

The process is voluntary. Schools will bring up the idea during parent-teacher meetings, and any change will need written consent from parents. The campaign will cover students from Classes 1 to 9, with scope to update older records too.

Why the change?

Officials say some names are chosen without thinking about their meaning or long-term effect. Over time, children may feel uncomfortable or develop a sense of inferiority. The government believes a name reflects identity and values, and that negative names can affect mental growth.

The campaign also aims to remove caste-based or derogatory terms from records. Teachers have already begun discussions with parents, with authorities estimating around 2,000 to 3,000 such cases across schools.

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