Putra

Putra is an Indonesian masculine given name meaning "son", derived from Sanskrit पुत्र (putra). It shares this etymology with the Malay variant Putera and is part of a broader onomastic tradition rooted in Sanskrit influence across Southeast Asia.

Etymology

The name ultimately comes from the Sanskrit element putra, meaning "son" — often found in names such as Rajputra (prince). This reflects the deep cultural and linguistic impact of Sanskrit on Indonesian and Malay languages, especially in contexts related to family, lineage, and nobility.

Notable Bearers

Several contemporary Indonesian public figures bear the name Putra:

• Aditya Putra Dewa (born 1990), footballer
• Arifin Putra (born 1987), German-Indonesian actor
• Baskara Putra, lead singer of the Indonesian band .Feast
• Agripina Prima Rahmanto Putra (born 1991), badminton player
• Budi Putra (born 1972), journalist and businessman

The name is also common in Malaysia, as with footballer Asraruddin Putra Omar (born 1988).

Cultural Context

In Indonesian naming traditions, putra is frequently used both as a standalone first name and as an element in compound names like Andika Eka Putra, where it signifies lineage. A person incorporating "Putra" into their name often emphasizes a connection to family heritage, and in some cases it may follow the given name to indicate a patronymic pattern (e.g., the third word in a three-word name could be a family identifier). While Indian in origin, the name has been fully integrated into indigenous Indonesian naming systems, showing adaptability across cultures.