Sri
/ʃriː/noun
A respectful title used in South Asia, especially before names, and a common honorific in Sanskrit-derived contexts.
Did you know?In Sanskrit, Śrī is both an honorific and the name of a goddess associated with prosperity, splendor, and auspiciousness, so the word itself can function like a verbal blessing.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*ḱer-
“to heap up, grow, thrive”
Vedic Sanskrit
Sanskrit
śrī́
“radiance, beauty, prosperity; also an honorific and divine name”
Classical Sanskrit
Sanskrit
śrī
“splendor, wealth, grace; title of respect and name of Lakṣmī”
Modern Indian languages
Various
Sri / Shri
“A respectful title used before names and sacred names”
Modern English
English
Sri
“A South Asian honorific title or component of a name”