Apurva

Apurva is a given name of Sanskrit origin used in India and among the Indian diaspora. The term apurva (apūrva) means “unprecedented, novel, extraordinary” and is also used in classical Sanskrit to denote something unseen or remarkable. In Hindu philosophy and ritual texts, apūrva can refer to a distinct normative force or merit associated with actions, sometimes described as a trace that accrues until rites are completed.

As a personal name, Apurva is commonly used across multiple Indian languages. It is often transliterated in various ways, including Apoorva, Apoorwa, or Apoorva, reflecting differences in transliteration rather than pronunciation. The name has been used for both genders, though it has historically been more common for males; in some communities it is now used for females as well.

Notable people named Apurva (and its variant spellings) include Apurva Asrani, an Indian film editor, writer and producer; Apoorva Mehta, an entrepreneur who founded Instacart; and Apoorva Arora, an Indian actress. These examples illustrate the common transliteration variants rather than a discrete separate lineage.

Beyond personal names, apurva appears in Sanskrit literature and Hindu texts as an attribute of novelty or something not previously experienced, contributing to its positive connotations in naming.