Sheru, Shaitan out; Aarav, Atharva in: Rajasthan's push to change odd student names

In a first-of-its-kind move, the Rajasthan government has launched a campaign to replace “awkward”, “derogatory” or socially outdated names of school students with more meaningful alternatives, seeking to address concerns that such names often become a source of ridicule and dent confidence.

Under the Saarthak Naam Abhiyan, names such as Sheru, Shaitan, Kalu and Tinku could be replaced, in consultation with parents, by options like Aaarav, Atharva, Balmukund, and Badrinath. Girls' parents will have the option to choose from Aradhya, Annapurna and Vaishnavi, each chosen for its meaning and cultural significance.

CAMPAIGN TARGETS RIDICULE, SELF-ESTEEM

School Education Minister Madan Dilawar said names that may appear normal in childhood can later cause embarrassment and affect personality development.

“Sometimes parents choose names without considering their meanings or long-term impact. As children grow older, such names can affect their confidence,” he said.

Officials said ridicule over names can impact participation in classrooms and, in some cases, discourage children from attending school.

NEARLY 3,000 ALTERNATIVES PREPARED

The education department has drawn up a list of nearly 3,000 alternative names, including 1,409 for boys and 1,541 for girls. Each name is accompanied by its meaning, and in many cases, its astrological context.

The list will be shared with parents to help them choose names that carry positive connotations and cultural relevance.

CONSENT-BASED PROCESS THROUGH SCHOOLS

The initiative will cover students from Classes 1 to 9 in government schools. Officials said no name would be changed without written parental consent.

Schools have been asked to identify such cases sensitively and engage with families through parent-teacher meetings and School Management Committees. Once approved, the revised name will be updated in official records.

Parents of newly admitted students will also be offered the option to choose from the suggested list at the time of enrolment.

PUSH TO REMOVE DEROGATORY, CASTE-LINKED TERMS

The government has also stressed the need to eliminate caste-linked or historically derogatory terms from school records.

“Respectful alternatives must be adopted,” Dilawar said, adding that names play a key role in shaping both social identity and self-worth.

Senior officials will monitor the rollout of the campaign, which is being positioned not just as an administrative exercise, but as a broader effort to strengthen students’ dignity and confidence in the classroom.

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