Deepak

A basic earthen oil diya used for Diwali

Deepak (दीपक) is a Hindi word meaning lamp from Sanskrit Deepa or diya, or source of light.^[1] It is mostly used to decorate houses during Tihar in Nepal and Dipawali in India. In the twentieth century, it became very popular as a first name for male Hindus. Names like Deepa (male-though used for females by many Indians now), Deepika (female), Deepthi (female), Deepan (male), Deepali (female) and many others are related to Deepak.

The names mentioned above are related to light or the holder of light - lamp,

• Deepak (male) - a lamp, or candle; meaning who gives light on his own behalf;
• Deepa (male) - a lamp;
• Deep (male) - wick/flame of the lamp;Hindi/North Indian derivation of Sanskrit "Deepa" (male)
• Deepankar (male) - one who lights lamps;
• Deependra (male) - lord of light;
• Deepit (male) - lighted;
• Deepanjali (female) - offerings of lamps;
• Deepmala (female) - garland of lamps, tower of lamps;
• Deepali (female) - collection of lamps;
• Deepika (female) - a little light;
• Deepamalika (female) - garland of lamps;
• Deepunja (male) - light of lamp;
• Deepti/Deepthi (female) - glow, shine;
• Deepanshu (male) - glow;

In Hinduism light is the symbol of knowledge.

Notable people named Deepak

• Deepak Bista, Nepali martial artist
• Deepak Chopra, medical doctor and writer
• Deepak Dinkar, Tamil actor
• Deepak Kumar, historian
• Deepak Mondal, Indian footballer
• Deepak Obhrai, Canadian politician
• Deepak Sharma, Indian television director and producer
• Deepak Thakur, Indian hockey player
• Deepak Tijori, Indian actor and director
• Deepak Tripathi, historian
• Deepak Verma, British-Asian actor
• P. A. Deepak, Indian Mix Engineer and Music Producer

References

1. Jhaver P. Shreenivas (1 January 1999). Spiritual Heritage and Cultural Symbols of India. Jaico Publishing House. pp. 120–. ISBN 978-81-7224-736-2.