New Names, Ancient Meaning: Understanding the Naming of Ram Charan’s Twins
In early 2026, Indian cinema’s spotlight flickered beyond the screen to a deeply personal moment in one of its most celebrated families: the arrival and naming of twins born to actor Ram Charan and his wife Upasana Kamineni Konidela. The couple, who are already parents to a daughter, recently introduced their newborn son and daughter to the world with names grounded in tradition, personal history, and cultural symbolism. But behind the announcement of Shivram and Anveera Devi, lies a blend of family legacy, spiritual intent, and cultural practice that illuminates how names carry meaning — not just identity — in many societies.
This explainer walks through what these names are, what they signify, why the couple chose them as they did, and how this moment reflects broader cultural patterns in naming and family life.
What Happened: The Birth and Naming Ceremony
On January 31, 2026, Ram Charan and Upasana welcomed twin children — a boy and a girl — into their family. The news was shared by the couple after the birth, celebrated in private with family and close friends. Later, they hosted a traditional Naamkaran ceremony, a naming ritual common in Hindu culture, where the babies’ names were formally given in the presence of elders and relatives.
The names announced were:
- Shivram (for the newborn son)
- Anveera Devi (for the newborn daughter)
While the event was personal, the couple spoke openly about the meanings behind these names and the intention behind their choices in interviews and statements — shedding light on more than just the labels themselves.
What the Names Mean
Shivram: A Blend of Strength and Righteousness
The name Shivram combines two foundational figures in Hindu spiritual tradition:
- Shiva, one of the principal deities, often associated with transformation, asceticism, strength, and inner discipline.
- Rama, another central figure, viewed as an embodiment of dharma (duty, righteousness) and moral leadership.
According to Ram Charan, the name was chosen to signify “strength with restraint, devotion with righteousness.” The name is also tied to family lineage, echoing part of the birth name of Charan’s father — veteran actor Chiranjeevi — whose given name is Shiv Shankar Vara Prasad. This connects the child’s identity with his heritage and family legacy.
In essence, the name is more than a label: it is a symbolic combination of spiritual strength, moral aspiration, and ancestral memory.
Anveera Devi: Courage and Grace
For their daughter, the couple chose Anveera Devi, a name constructed from elements that convey particular qualities:
- Veera: A word that means “brave” or “heroic.”
- An: A prefix that can imply infinity or boundlessness.
- Devi: A term that signifies “goddess” or “divine feminine strength.”
Together, Anveera Devi expresses the idea of limitless courage coupled with grace and feminine power. Charan explained that the inclusion of “Devi” was intentional to reflect that strength and grace can coexist — a meaningful concept in many traditional cultural frameworks.
Why These Names, and Why Now?
To many, a child’s name may seem incidental — a pleasant moniker chosen by parents. But in many cultures, including within Hindu and Telugu traditions, names are laden with significance: they are meant to guide, protect, and inspire. The naming process can be spiritual, thoughtful, and deeply rooted in family history and belief.
In this case, the decision appears to have been shaped by:
1. Personal and Spiritual Reflection
Both parents indicated that naming the children was a deeply personal and spiritual decision. They were not rushed; rather, they took time to reflect together, discuss what values they hoped their children would embody, and involve their elders in the process.
2. Family Legacy
Shivram’s name, in particular, echoes the birth name of Ram Charan’s father, signaling not only respect for ancestry but also continuity within the family. This approach is common in many families where names preserve memory and honor ancestors.
3. Cultural Tradition
The Naamkaran ceremony itself is rooted in Hindu tradition. It typically involves rituals that seek blessings for the child’s future and is often accompanied by careful selection of a name that captures positive spiritual, moral, and aspirational qualities.
This blending of tradition, spirituality, and personal intention speaks to a broader cultural pattern — that naming is not a trivial act, but one that carries intent and hope.
How Naming Practices Reflect Broader Social and Cultural Patterns
The announcement of these names resonates not only because of the celebrity status of the parents, but also because it reflects deeper cultural values.
Here are some ways this moment connects to wider patterns:
Cultural Continuity and Identity
In many Indian families, names serve as a link between the individual and larger cultural narratives. For example:
| Name Component | Cultural/Symbolic Meaning |
|---|---|
| Shiva | Transformation, inner discipline, resilience |
| Rama | Righteousness, moral duty, leadership |
| Veera | Courage, bravery |
| Devi | Divine feminine strength |
These components are not random — they reflect a cultural milieu in which values and aspirations are transmitted through names, stories, and family practices.
Ritual and Community
Ceremonies like Naamkaran are communal events that tie individuals into social and familial networks. Even when private and intimate, the ritual carries historical resonance and societal meaning.
Legacy and Memory
Connecting a child’s name to an ancestor (as in the case of Shivram and Ram Charan’s father) is part of a wider tradition seen across cultures, where names preserve lineage and honor elders.
Who Is Affected — Beyond the Family
Although the naming is a private family matter, it has public resonance for several reasons:
Fans and Popular Culture
Ram Charan is a well-known actor in Indian cinema, with millions of followers. The public release of his children’s names invites fans into a personal moment and triggers discussion about naming, family values, and cultural identity.
This also reflects how celebrity lives influence popular culture, especially in countries like India where cinema has a profound cultural footprint.
Broader Social Conversations
When public figures discuss personal values — including why they named their children as they did — it can spark interest in naming traditions, cultural heritage, and the meanings behind names that many people may otherwise take for granted.
This moment invites reflection on how different societies attribute meaning and intention to names — often with generational impact.
What Impact Does This Have?
At first glance, a celebrity baby name might seem like light news — a pleasant human interest story. But it also has layers of impact:
1. Cultural Visibility
This announcement brings visibility to traditional practices like the Naamkaran ceremony and how it is valued in modern family life. It underscores that, even in a fast-changing society, many families continue to embrace rituals that connect them to history and spirituality.
2. Dialogues on Identity
By sharing what the names mean, the couple contributes to conversations about identity — how names shape perceptions, convey values, and influence one’s sense of self from the earliest days of life.
3. Influence on Naming Trends
Public discussions about baby names often influence how other parents think about naming their own children. While not everyone follows tradition in the same way, such announcements can inspire families to consider deeper meanings or personal values when choosing names.
What Might Happen Next
As society continues to evolve, the way families approach naming may also shift. Some trends and possibilities include:
Interplay of Tradition and Modernity
Young parents today often balance tradition with modern sensibilities. While many hold onto rituals like Naamkaran, others may mix cultural names with global influences or alternative meanings. There is no single pattern, but the trend reflects a spectrum of choices.
Continued Public Interest
Because public figures can shape conversation, future stories about children’s births and names are likely to prompt similar discussions about heritage, values, and cultural meaning — especially in regions where cinema and culture are closely intertwined.
Reflecting Broader Values
The emphasis on strength, grace, and courage in these names points to a larger societal interest in qualities beyond simple aesthetics. As communities become more reflective about identity and legacy, celebrations of meaning-driven names may continue to grow.
Conclusion: Names as Narrative
What may seem like a simple announcement — a pair of names — carries more depth when viewed through cultural, historical, and personal lenses. For Ram Charan and Upasana, Shivram and Anveera Devi are not just names on paper, but expressions of aspiration, heritage, and belief. They reflect centuries-old traditions, familial continuity, and a desire to anchor new life in values that matter to the parents.
In this, the story of these names becomes more than celebrity news — it becomes an entry point into understanding how names function as vessels of meaning, memory, and hope across societies.