Bollywood actress Dia Mirza and her husband Vaibhav Rekhi named their son Avyaan Azaad Rekhi, a choice that has recently drawn attention on social media. The name "Avyaan" is of Sanskrit origin, signifying "perfection," "beginning," "all protector," and is also associated with Lord Ganesha. His middle name, "Azaad," translates to "freedom," a word commonly used across both Hindi and Urdu languages.
The full name, Avyaan Azaad Rekhi, was publicly announced by Mirza following her son's birth on May 14, 2021. The actress shared the news on Instagram, noting that Avyaan was born prematurely and required care in the Neonatal ICU. She expressed profound gratitude for his resilience, referring to him as their "heartbeat" and "little miracle."
A recent tweet by user JyotiKarma🚩🇮🇳 questioned the emphasis on "Azaad" over "Avyaan" and implied a religious motivation, stating, > "Dia Mirza has named her son Avyaan Azaad but in this interview they're behaving as if his name's only Azaad? Why? Because she's Muslim? A very interesting take from this; It shows Urdu, but it's Hindi...why she wanted it to show Urdu?"
Dia Mirza has publicly spoken about her diverse religious background, which counters the implication of a singular religious identity. She was born to a Hindu father and a Christian mother, and later adopted the surname of her Muslim stepfather, Ahmed Mirza. The actress identifies as having been raised in a secular household, celebrating all festivals, and has stated, "I don’t believe in any particular religion. I believe in humanity." This secular upbringing informs her personal choices, including the naming of her child. The word "Azaad" itself is a widely recognized term for freedom, transcending specific linguistic or religious boundaries in India.
