Bodhi

//ˈbəʊdi// name, noun

name, noun ·Rare ·Advanced level

Definitions

Noun
  1. 1
    The state of enlightenment that finally ends the cycle of death and rebirth and leads to nirvana. uncountable, usually
Proper Noun
  1. 1
    A male given name from Sanskrit.

    ""I grew up in San Diego. My mother died of cancer when I was ten years old. She was a good and loving woman from what I remember, and she encouraged me to read a lot since she was a history teacher. She also had a great interest in eastern philosophy such as Buddhism. When I was born she named me Bodhi from the Buddhist idea of the Bodhisattva – a wise and compassionate being who delays his entrance into buddahood for the benefit of enlightenment for all.” “ She must have seen something very special in you, Bodhi,” said Erica."

Example

More examples

"The Buddha meditated beneath a Bodhi tree."

Etymology

Etymology 1

From Sanskrit बोधि (bodhi). Doublet of synonymous bodai, which came via Japanese.

Etymology 2

Modern English usage from bodhi; influenced by characters in films and comics.

Related phrases

Data sourced from Wiktionary, WordNet, CMU, and other open linguistic databases. Updated March 2026.