Suvarna

Suvarna, written suvarṇa in Sanskrit, denotes gold or something gold-colored. The term is formed from the prefix su- meaning good and varṇa meaning color, hue, or appearance. In many Indian languages, suvarna is used as a direct reference to the precious metal and to gold-colored objects, as well as to things considered valuable or precious.

Culturally and linguistically, gold is an emblem of wealth, purity, and auspiciousness in Indian traditions. Gold ornaments, coins, and ingots feature prominently in rituals, weddings, and temple offerings, and the word suvarna appears in Sanskrit literature to convey wealth and value. As a given name, suvarna is used in parts of India and can be found in Kannada, Marathi, Telugu, and other linguistic communities, with gender usage varying by region and tradition.

In modern usage, suvarna is encountered as a personal name and within brand, organization, or media identifiers that draw on the cultural associations of gold. The root appears in toponymy and in phrases across South Asia derived from the idea of gold or golden wealth. A related Sanskrit-derived compound is suvarṇabhumi, meaning “land of gold,” used in historical and linguistic contexts and preserved in place names such as Suvarnabhumi, the Thai term for Bangkok’s international airport.

See also: suvarṇa, the Sanskrit spelling; suvarṇabhumi, the term “land of gold”; references to gold in Sanskrit literature and Indian nomenclature.