His parents were followers of Guru Nanak of Sikhism and a local spiritual guru Tulsi Saheb. Radhasoami movement was founded by Shiv Dayal Singh in Agra. In some subtraditions of Radhasoami, states Lucy DuPertuis, the guru's charisma is considered as the 'formless absolute', being in his presence is equivalent to experiencing the incarnation of the Satguru, the guru is identified as the Radhasoami. This has led to the fellowship being commonly called Radha Soami. The gurus and the tradition that followed him used the term Radhasoami during the initiation rites, meditation practices and as mutual greeting. The writings of Swami Dayal use the term Sat Nam, rather than Radhasoami. So, being the husband (Soami) of Radha (Narayani Devi), Shri Shiv Dayal was named Radha Soami. Shri Shiv Dayal's wife Narayani Devi was nicknamed Radha by his followers. According to some other scholars, the name is derived from Shri Shiv Dayal's wife. However, the founder Shri Shiv Dayal himself never used the term. It is a referent to the consciousness in a person and the cosmic energy source, states Juergensmeyer. According to Saligram, quotes Juergensmeyer, these terms are symbolic and mean 'master of energy', derived from the Vaishnava understanding of 'Radha as the power of energy of God' ( Shakti).

According to Mark Juergensmeyer, the term Radhasoami literally refers to Radha as the soul and Soami ( swami, lord).

Radha soami shabad hum wasi os desh ke