Lobsang

Lobsang is a Tibetan given name used primarily for males. In Tibetan, the name is commonly interpreted as reflecting virtue, goodness, or benevolence, and it is routinely chosen to convey auspicious qualities. It is widely used as a standalone given name and also appears as part of longer Tibetan names, especially among Buddhist clergy and laypeople alike. Because of Tibetan naming practices, Lobsang frequently appears in combination with another element to form compound names, or as a middle name within regnal or religious titles.

Notable individuals include Ngawang Lobsang Gyatso, commonly known as the 5th Dalai Lama (1619–1682), a major historical figure who unified Tibet and led the Gelug school in the 17th century. In modern times, Lobsang Sangay (born 1968) is a Tibetan political leader who served as the Sikyong, the democratically elected head of the Central Tibetan Administration, from 2011 to 2021.

The name is also borne by many Tibetan expatriates and members of the diaspora who carry it as part of longer personal names or family names. Lobsang remains a widely used name within Tibetan-speaking communities, reflecting cultural values surrounding virtue and compassion. Variants in spelling include Lobzang and Lobsang, reflecting different transliterations from Tibetan scripts.