The First Gift We Gave You: Your Names

My Dear Boys,

One day, when you are older and curious about where you came from, I want you to know that your names were chosen slowly and thoughtfully. Not just because they sounded right together, but because of what they carry underneath. Names often feel simple. They’re not. They hold intention, belief, and quiet hope.

Let me tell you what yours mean to me.

Arhaan, Your name is strong and masculine, and yet it has a softness to it. That balance mattered to me.

Across cultures, Arhaan carries powerful meaning.
In Arabic, it means a righteous ruler, someone who leads with fairness, not force.
In Sanskrit, it means the worthy one, someone deserving of honour, someone who has earned respect rather than demanded it.

There’s also a deeper, spiritual layer. In Buddhism, an Arhan is someone who has attained Nirvana. The word appears in the earliest Buddhist scriptures and refers to the highest form of a noble person, someone who has overcome ego, fear, and attachment. Becoming an Arhan is seen as the goal of spiritual progress.

That idea stayed with me.

Your name isn’t about authority over others. It’s about inner strength. About being worthy, grounded, and clear in who you are. Calm leadership. Quiet confidence. The kind of presence that doesn’t need to announce itself.

If you lead, I hope you lead with empathy.
If you’re strong, I hope you’re also kind.

That’s the balance your name carries.

Rivaan,

Your name feels different – lighter, more fluid, always moving.

In Israeli meaning, Rivaan stands for righteous, self-sufficient, ambitious, and someone with a deep urge to understand others. It speaks of independence, but also emotional intelligence. Strength paired with sensitivity.

Some interpretations connect your name to being God-gifted, to movement, even to the image of a rider; someone in motion, choosing direction rather than standing still. Its roots stretch across cultures, including Arabic and Sikh influences, which makes it feel open and modern, much like the world you’re growing into.

When I think of your name, I think of curiosity. Of asking why. Of wanting to see beyond what’s obvious. Of ambition that isn’t loud, but steady. Of a mind that wants to grow, explore, and connect.

I hope you always keep that urge to understand people, not judge them. To move forward, but not forget where you came from.

Together,

Your names were never meant to mirror each other.

Arhaan is grounding – steady, centred, reflective.
Rivaan is movement – curious, energetic, forward-looking.

One holds the core.
The other reaches outward.

One reminds us of depth.
The other reminds us of possibility.

Neither is complete without the other, and neither is meant to be the same.

More than anything, I want you to remember this:
Your names don’t define your future. They don’t limit who you can become. They are simply the first gift we gave you – “filled with love, intention, and belief”.

The rest of your lives are yours to shape.

Love Always,
Mom & Dad