Swarna
/ˈswər.nə/noun
A Sanskrit-derived word meaning gold, also used as a personal name and place name in South Asia.
Did you know?Swarna is connected through a proposed ancient Indo-European root meaning “to shine,” placing it in the same linguistic family as words associated with the Sun and brightness.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*suel-
“To shine or glow; a proposed root associated with sunlight and brilliance.”
Proto-Indo-Iranian
PII
*sʷárná
“Gold; the shining or gleaming metal.”
Vedic Sanskrit
Sanskrit
suvarṇa / svarṇa
“Gold; literally interpreted in Sanskrit tradition as something of beautiful or excellent color.”
Classical Sanskrit
Sanskrit
svarṇa
“Gold, a precious yellow metal.”
Modern South Asian languages
Hindi and others
swarna / swarn
“Gold; also a poetic or formal term used in names and titles.”
Modern English
English
Swarna
“A Sanskrit-derived personal name, place name, and South Asian cultural term meaning gold.”