ਨਾਂ
nā̃masculine
The English word 'name' is translated into Punjabi as ਨਾਂ (nā̃).
ਨਾਂ refers to a word or phrase that indicates a particular person, place, class or thing. When addressing or referring to names, speakers often use honorifics to show respect. For example, the honorific ji can be added to names for both genders to show respect. For men, the honorific Sardar is used, while for women, the honorific Sardarni is used.
Meaning: word or phrase indicating a particular person, place, class or thing (noun)
Which one should you use?
ਨਾਂ is the common spoken form of the word. In contrast, ਨਾਮ is the more formal or literary version of 'name'.
How does it change in a sentence?
ਨਾਂ is a masculine noun. As a noun, it can be used with postpositions, which will change its form. For example, ਨਾਂ ਦਾ means 'of the name'.
How do you pronounce it?
nā̃
Did you know?
- In Punjabi spirituality, ਨਾਮ is not just a label for a person but refers to the 'Divine Name' or the essence of God. The practice of ਨਾਮ ਸਿਮਰਨ involves meditating on this divine name to reach spiritual liberation.
- The Punjabi word ਨਾਂ shares a deep ancient root with the English word 'name', as both descend from the Proto-Indo-European word *h₁nómn̥.
- In some traditional Punjabi contexts, a person might be referred to by their father's or husband's ਨਾਂ rather than their own to show familial connection and respect.
Examples in context
- ਤੁਹਾਡਾ ਨਾਂ ਕੀ ਹੈ?What is your name?This sentence is useful for asking someone for their name using ਨਾਂ.
- ਮੇਰਾ ਨਾਂ ਅਮਨ ਹੈ।merā nāṃ aman hai.My name is Aman.
- ਕੀ ਤੁਸੀਂ ਆਪਣਾ ਨਾਂ ਦੱਸ ਸਕਦੇ ਹੋ?kī tusīṃ āpṇā nāṃ das sakade hō?Can you tell me your name?
Example conversation
Manpreet and Gurpreet are meeting at a coffee shop for the first time.
- ਮਨਪ੍ਰੀਤ Manpreetਸਤਿ ਸ੍ਰੀ ਅਕਾਲ, ਮੇਰਾ ਨਾਂ ਮਨਪ੍ਰੀਤ ਹੈ।sat sirī akāl, merā nāṃ manpraet hai.Hello, my name is Manpreet.
- ਗੁਰਪ੍ਰੀਤ Gurpreetਸਤਿ ਸ੍ਰੀ ਅਕਾਲ, ਮੇਰਾ ਨਾਂ ਗੁਰਪ੍ਰੀਤ ਹੈ।sat sirī akāl, merā nāṃ gurpraet hai.Hello, my name is Gurpreet.
- ਮਨਪ੍ਰੀਤ Manpreetਤੁਹਾਡਾ ਨਾਂ ਬਹੁਤ ਸੋਹਣਾ ਹੈ।tuhāḍā nāṃ bahut sōhaṇā hai.Your name is very beautiful.
- ਗੁਰਪ੍ਰੀਤ Gurpreetਧੰਨਵਾਦ, ਮਨਪ੍ਰੀਤ।dhanavāda, manpraet.Thank you, Manpreet.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “name” translations and entries ਨਾਂ, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ਨਾਂ, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Wiktionary CC BY-SA 4.0.
