Names of Lord Krishna — With Meanings (Also for Baby Names)
Beautiful names of Sri Krishna and their meanings — from Kanha, Madhav and Govind to Ghanshyam. Lovely Krishna-inspired baby names and an easy way to find the right one.
Sri Krishna is called by a thousand names — each one reflecting a quality or a leela of his. That is why Krishna's names are among the most loved and meaningful choices for babies.
Popular names of Sri Krishna — with meanings
| Name | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Krishna | the all-attractive one; dark-complexioned |
| Kanha | the beloved child Krishna |
| Madhav | lord of Lakshmi; slayer of Madhu |
| Govind | lord of the cows and the senses |
| Gopal | protector of cows |
| Keshav | one with beautiful hair |
| Murari | destroyer of the demon Mura |
| Damodar | one bound at the waist by a rope (Yashoda's leela) |
| Manmohan | one who enchants the mind |
| Ghanshyam | dark as a rain cloud |
| Muralidhar | bearer of the flute |
| Giridhar | lifter of the Govardhan hill |
| Vasudev | son of Vasudeva; all-pervading |
| Dwarkadhish | lord of Dwarka |
| Devakinandan | son of Devaki |
| Nandlal | the beloved son of Nanda |
| Banke Bihari | one who stands and plays in a graceful bend |
| Achyut | one who never falls |
| Hari | remover of sorrow |
| Mohan | the enchanting one |
Lovely Krishna names for babies
Short, sweet names that remain popular today — Kanha, Madhav, Govind, Mohan, Hari, Keshav, Nand, Shyam, Gopal and Dev. They are easy to say and deep in meaning.
A tip
First choose the feeling you want the name to carry — love, protection, joy — then pick the Krishna name that matches it. Krishna names are considered especially auspicious for babies born around Janmashtami.
These are only a few. To find your favourite name by meaning from among hundreds of names of Krishna and other deities, try our name generator.
Related reading
Frequently asked questions
How many names does Lord Krishna have?
Sri Krishna is traditionally said to have 108 names, and by some counts a thousand (sahasranama). Each name reflects one of his qualities or leelas.
What does the name Krishna mean?
Krishna means the one who attracts (all-attractive), and also refers to his dark, rain-cloud complexion.
Which Krishna names are good for babies?
Short, sweet and easy to pronounce names work best — Kanha, Madhav, Govind, Mohan, Hari, Keshav, Shyam, Gopal and Dev are among the most loved.
Is it auspicious to name a baby after Krishna?
Yes — Krishna names are considered especially auspicious, particularly for babies born around Janmashtami. Beyond tradition, each name carries a beautiful, positive meaning.
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