12 Names of Hanuman and their Significance

Lord Hanuman is one of the most well-known, respected, and loved Hindu gods. Hanuman ji is more than a devta, he is a Chiranjeevi, meaning one who is immortal and will live forever. The most ardent follower of Shri Rama and Sita Mata, Hanuman is simply one of the most powerful beings of Hindu mythology.

He was blessed by all the gods, including Shiva, Vishnu, Brahma, Indra, and Vayu. Legend has it that Lord Hanuman was so powerful, even as an infant, that special mantras were imposed on him so his power would remain contained until he became mature enough to control them.

Celebrated and worshipped as a monkey god, Hanuman ji contains within him 5 avatars, which gives him the name of Panchmukhi Hanuman Ji or Panch Mukhi Bajrangbali. However, did you know that apart from this name, there are 12 names Of Hanuman Ji that most people don’t know of? If that surprises you, keep reading to learn all of them and the story behind these names! If you are a true follower of Hanuman Ji, this article is a must-read for you!

What Are The 12 Names of Hanuman Ji And Their Story?

These are all of the Lord Hanuman names and why they came to be:

1. Vayu Putra

As the name suggests, Vayu Putra, which means the son of Vayu, the wind god, was given to Hanuman ji because most people consider him to be the child of Vayu. However, what may surprise you is that he was actually born to Raja Kesari and his wife, Anjani, who were mortals. Legend has it that when King Dasharath, father of Shri Rama, prayed to the gods for a child, he was given a bowl of payasam, which was meant to be had by his three wives.

However, during this time, a bird came and took off with a morsel of payasam, which in turn came to Anjani. It is said that at the time, Vayu Dev played a significant role in guiding the bird towards Anjana, leading to the legend of Pawanputra Hanuman.

2. Hanuman

If you didn’t know this, Hanuman is not Hanuman Ji’s original name. He was given the title of Kesari Nandan, which literally means the child of Kesari, his father. However, in his childhood, Mata Anjani told Kesarinandan that all fruits are yellow. Armed with this knowledge, Bal Hanuman, believing the sun to be a fruit, decided to devour it.

At the time, Indra decided to stop the infant Hanuman from doing so and struck him with his thunderbolt, leading to a cleft in Hanuman Ji’s chin. Thus, he was given the name of Hanuman, which means one with a disfigured jaw.

3. Anjani Suta

Since he was born to Mata Anjani, he came to be called Anjani Suta, which means the son of Mata Anjani. This is one of the lesser known among the different names for Hanuman.

4. Mahabala

Mahabala means one of great strength, which cannot be more accurate for any other god than Hanuman Ji. In the Ramayana, we see him lifting the entire Dronagiri mountain to bring the Sanjeevani to Lakshmana when Indrajit, the son of Ravana, injures him. Thus, we can imagine the kind of strength and power that Hanuman Ji holds within him.

5. Rameshta

This name means one who is an ardent devotee of Lord Rama. As we all know, there is a popular image of Hanuman Ji tearing apart his chest to reveal Rama and Sita inside him. The significance is that Hanuman Ji always carried Lord Rama and Maa Sita in his heart everywhere.

6. Phalgun Sakha

This name comes from the Mahabharata, where Pawanputra Hanuman had an encounter with Arjuna, one of the Pandavas. A fight ensues between them over who is superior: Shri Krishna or Shri Ram! Hanuman recounts how Shri Rama led an entire army of vaanars over a bridge of floating stones. Arjuna retorts that if Shri Rama was so powerful, why didn’t he simply build a bridge out of arrows?

So saying, Arjuna shoots arrows and builds a bridge himself. However, Hanuman only has to put one foot, and it breaks down completely! In the end, Shri Krishna arrives and informs Arjuna as to Hanuman’s identity. At this, Arjuna is remorseful, and Hanuman ji blesses him and his chariot, which carries his image on the flag in battle.

7. Pingaksha

Hanuman Ji is known as Pingaksha due to the color of his eyes, which are reddish brown or yellow in color.

8. Amit Vikrama

Hanuman Ji is known as Amit Vikrama, meaning one who is boundless and infinite. This is because there is no limit to the power of Hanuman Ji.

9. Udadhi Kraman

Since he crossed the ocean by flying over it, Hanuman Ji earned the title of Udadhi Kraman.

10. Sita Shokha Vinashan

As Hanuman Ji was able to remove the sorrows of Maa Sita, he is called by this name.

11. Laxman Parandaata

Hanuman Ji saved Lord Laxman’s life by bringing him the Sanjeevani plant on Mount Dronagiri when he was injured by Indrajit, thus earning him this title.

12. Dashgreeva Darpaha

This name was given to Hanuman ji as he was able to destroy the ego of the ten-headed one, Ravana.

Conclusion

So, these were Hanuman ke 12 naam and the different stories behind them. If you wish to remove evil from your life or achieve victory over your sorrows and enemies, there is no one better to pray to than Lord Hanuman. Hanuman Chalisa Path has removed the life problems of thousands of people, so join them and start by chanting the Hanuman Chalisa every Tuesday for the best results!