Sri

Śrī is a Sanskrit honorific prefix used across the Indian subcontinent and in related religious traditions. Transliterated as Sri, Shri, or Shree, and sometimes written Śrī, the term derives from a root meaning auspiciousness, splendor, wealth, or prosperity. It functions as a respectful lead attached to names, titles, deities, and places, and is common in languages such as Hindi, Sanskrit, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Marathi, Bengali, Sinhala, and others. In many contexts it serves as a formal, reverent designation comparable to an elevated form of “Mr.” or “Ms.”

In religious and cultural usage, Śrī is closely associated with auspiciousness and blessing. It is an epithet for Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity, and appears in devotional names for deities such as Śrī Rāma and Śrī Kṛṣṇa. The prefix is often used in liturgy, temple inscriptions, and ceremonial addresses to convey respect and sanctity, and it also prefixes the names of respected individuals, scholars, or rulers in secular discourse.

Geographically and historically, the prefix has influenced toponymy and nomenclature in the region. The country name Sri Lanka derives in part from the honorific usage, with ŚrīLaṅkā meaning “Resplendent Island” or “Venerable Island.” In transliteration, variants like Sri, Shri, and Shree reflect different linguistic conventions, but all retain the same legacy of respect, auspiciousness, and reverence applied across names, places, and religious practice.