"dark, blue-black"
Origin: Sanskrit
Language: English
Krishna
Pronunciation: [ kr-IHSHN-uh ]
Does Krishna flow with your last name?
The divine Sanskrit name of Hinduism's most beloved god
Indian
Hindu
Nepali
Balinese
Fijian-Indian
Spiritual
Traditional
Classic
Strong
Bold
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Nicknames
Nicknames for Krishna
2 shorthand options for every setting
Meaning & Origin
"all-attractive"
Origin: Sanskrit theological interpretation
Language: English
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Things to Know About This Name
- In some Western contexts may face mispronunciation or confusion with the Hare Krishna movement
The Story of Krishna
Krishna comes from the Sanskrit 'krishna' (कृष्ण), meaning dark, black, or blue-black. The name refers to the 8th avatar of the god Vishnu in Hindu tradition, who is depicted with blue-dark skin — symbolizing the vastness of the sky and the depth of the ocean. Krishna is one of the most beloved and widely worshipped deities in Hinduism, appearing as a central figure in the Mahabharata and the Bhagavad Gita.
Krishna has been among the most popular names in India for centuries, particularly in states like Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and Maharashtra. In the West, the name became recognized through the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON, or Hare Krishna movement) founded in 1966.
In Hinduism, Krishna is considered the supreme deity by Vaishnavites and one of the most important avatars of Vishnu. The Bhagavad Gita, featuring Krishna's philosophical teachings to Arjuna before battle, is one of the most influential texts in world religion. Giving a child this name carries immense spiritual weight.
Historical Record
Krishna first appeared in US Social Security records in 1957.
Over 2,316 babies have been named Krishna in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Krishna is a hidden gem — rare but distinctive , currently ranked #2,397 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Krishna appears in 18 major Puranas and is a central figure in the Mahabharata, the world's longest epic poem
- The Bhagavad Gita, Krishna's teachings to Arjuna, has been translated into over 75 languages and is one of the most widely read texts in human history
Krishna in Other Languages
Hindi
कृष्ण
Tamil
கிருஷ்ணா
Telugu
కృష్ణ
Kannada
ಕೃಷ್ಣ
Sanskrit
कृष्ण
Popularity Over Time
#2,397
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
Hidden Gem
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Krishna
K
Krishna Shroff
Athlete
1994
Indian fitness entrepreneur and MMA practitioner
K
Krishna Sobti
Writer
1925
Renowned Indian novelist who received the Jnanpith Award, highest Indian literary honor
K
Krishna (Hindu deity)
Religious
The 8th avatar of Vishnu and one of the most revered deities in Hinduism, central figure of the Bhagavad Gita
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See all →Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #2,397
- Total SSA Count
- 58
- Cultural Origins
- Indian Hindu Nepali Balinese Fijian-Indian
- Pronunciation
- Moderate
- Formality
- Formal
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Krish
Kris
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, strong style, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, traditional style, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, traditional style, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, classic style, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Krishna
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
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Also a Girl Name
Krishna is also used as a girl name, ranked #7326.
View Krishna as a girl name →Similar Names
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Frequently Asked Questions About Krishna
What does the name Krishna mean?
"dark, blue-black" (from Sanskrit). "all-attractive" (from Sanskrit theological interpretation). Krishna comes from the Sanskrit 'krishna' (कृष्ण), meaning dark, black, or blue-black. The name refers to the 8th avatar of the god Vishnu in Hindu tradition, who is depicted with blue-dark skin — symbolizing the vastness of the sky and the depth of the ocean. Krishna is one of the most beloved and widely worshipped deities in Hinduism, appearing as a central figure in the Mahabharata and the Bhagavad Gita.
What is the origin of the name Krishna?
Krishna has Sanskrit, Sanskrit theological interpretation, Indian, Hindu, Nepali, Balinese, and Fijian-Indian origins. In Sanskrit, it means "dark, blue-black". In Sanskrit theological interpretation, it means "all-attractive".
Is Krishna a boy or girl name?
Krishna is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #2397. As a girl name, it is ranked #7326. Krishna is more commonly used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Krishna?
Krishna is pronounced kr-IHSHN-uh.
How popular is the name Krishna?
Krishna is currently ranked #2397 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Krishna?
Common nicknames for Krishna include Krish and Kris.
What are good middle names for Krishna?
Popular middle name pairings include Krishna Kumar, Krishna Dev, Krishna Raj, Krishna Prasad, Krishna Nair, Krishna Murthy, and Krishna Das.
What are good sibling names for Krishna?
Names that pair well with Krishna as siblings include Arjun, Priya, Rama, Radha, Ananya, Vishnu, and Diya.
How many syllables does Krishna have?
Krishna has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Krishna a common or rare name?
Krishna is an uncommon name, ranked #2397 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What boy names are similar to Krishna?
Are there other spellings for Krishna?
About the Name Krishna
Krishna is a boy name with Indian, Hindu, Nepali, Balinese, and Fijian-Indian origins . The name means "dark, blue-black" in Sanskrit .
Is Krishna a boy or girl name? Krishna is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #2,397 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #7,326. Krishna is more commonly used as a boy name.
Krishna is currently ranked #2,397 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Krishna has 2 syllables and is pronounced kr-IHSHN-uh, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Krishna include Krish and Kris. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Krishna include Kristian, Kristopher, Krishiv, Krish, Krishav . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis