Putra

Putra is a Sanskrit-derived term meaning "son." It is used across many Indo-Aryan and Southeast Asian languages, including Hindi, Marathi, Bengali, and Nepali, to denote a male offspring. The feminine form is putri (putrī in Sanskrit), used in various languages to mean "daughter." In classical and religious literature, putra appears as a genealogical or titular word indicating lineage, and it is common in compound names and epithets that reference descent.

In everyday speech, putra tends to be more formal or liturgical, while colloquial terms like beta are more common for “son.” Nevertheless, putra remains widespread in religious texts, prayers, and scholarly writings, where precise lineage or filial ties are often emphasized.

As a given name, putra is widely used in Indonesia and Malaysia and appears in Indian naming traditions as well. It often functions as an element in longer personal names or as a standalone masculine name in Southeast Asian contexts, reflecting the Sanskrit influence on regional onomastics.

Related terms include putri, the feminine counterpart meaning "daughter," and various regional forms that adapt the root to local phonology and naming customs. The word’s classical resonance and cross-cultural usage contribute to its continued presence in religious, literary, and contemporary naming practices.