Lord Krishna Names for Baby Boy (and Girl), with Meanings

Krishna is known by hundreds of names, and many Indian parents choose one of them for their son. Each name remembers a story: the butter-loving child of Gokul, the flute player of Vrindavan, the charioteer of the Bhagavad Gita. Here are the best-loved names of Lord Krishna with what each one means, plus girl names linked to Radha, Rukmini and the devotees of Krishna.

1. Classic Names of Lord Krishna

The names most families know, used across India for generations.

Names For Boys

Name	Meaning
Krishna	Dark, dark-complexioned; the eighth avatar of Lord Vishnu (कृष्ण)
Govind	Protector of cows; also 'one who brings joy to the senses' (गोविंद)
Gopal	Protector of cows, from go (cow) + pala (protector) (गोपाल)
Madhav	Descendant of Madhu, the Yadava ancestor; also 'husband of Lakshmi' (माधव)
Keshav	One with beautiful hair; also the slayer of the demon Keshi (केशव)
Mohan	The enchanting, charming one (मोहन)
Murari	Enemy of the demon Mura, whom Krishna defeated (मुरारी)

2. Names from Krishna's Childhood in Gokul and Vrindavan

These names come from the stories of Krishna as a child and young cowherd.

Names For Boys

Name	Meaning
Nandlal	The darling son of Nanda, Krishna's foster father (नंदलाल)
Nandkishor	The young son of Nanda (नंदकिशोर)
Damodar	One with a rope (dama) around his belly (udara), after Yashoda tied him to a mortar (दामोदर)
Navneet	Fresh butter, which the child Krishna famously stole (नवनीत)
Murlidhar	Holder of the flute (मुरलीधर)
Giridhar	One who held up the mountain, as Krishna lifted Govardhan (गिरिधर)
Gopinath	Lord of the gopis, the cowherd women of Vrindavan (गोपीनाथ)
Banwari	One who roams the forests of Vrindavan (बनवारी)

3. Names from the Bhagavad Gita and the Vishnu Sahasranama

Krishna's names in the scriptures, many shared with Lord Vishnu.

Names For Boys

Name	Meaning
Achyut	Imperishable, one who never falls (अच्युत)
Janardan	One whom people pray to; a name of Vishnu (जनार्दन)
Hrishikesh	Lord of the senses (हृषीकेश)
Madhusudan	Slayer of the demon Madhu (मधुसूदन)
Mukund	Giver of liberation (mukti) (मुकुंद)
Vasudev	Son of Vasudeva, Krishna's father (वासुदेव)
Parthasarathi	Charioteer of Partha (Arjuna) in the Mahabharata war (पार्थसारथी)
Jagannath	Lord of the universe; worshipped at Puri (जगन्नाथ)
Devkinandan	Son of Devaki, Krishna's mother (देवकीनंदन)
Dwarkadhish	King of Dwarka, Krishna's city (द्वारकाधीश)
Shrinath	Lord of Shri (Lakshmi); Krishna as Shrinathji of Nathdwara (श्रीनाथ)

4. Short and Modern Krishna Names

Shorter forms that suit modern families and are easy to say anywhere.

Names For Boys

Name	Meaning
Krish	A short form of Krishna (कृष)
Kanha	An affectionate Braj form of Krishna (कान्हा)
Kanhaiya	Darling Krishna, a loving form from Braj (कन्हैया)
Shyam	Dark, dark blue; a name of Krishna (श्याम)
Hari	One who removes sins; a name of Vishnu and Krishna (हरि)

5. Krishna-Inspired Names for Girls

Names of Radha, Krishna's queens and his devotees.

Names For Girls

Name	Meaning
Radha	Prosperity, success; Krishna's beloved (राधा)
Radhika	An affectionate form of Radha (राधिका)
Rukmini	Adorned with gold; Krishna's chief queen (रुक्मिणी)
Meera	After Mirabai, the poet-saint devoted to Krishna (मीरा)
Vrinda	Tulsi, the holy basil; Vrindavan is named after her (वृंदा)
Gopika	A gopi, a cowherd girl of Vrindavan (गोपिका)
Kalindi	The Yamuna river; also one of Krishna's queens (कालिंदी)
Tulsi	Holy basil, sacred to Vishnu and Krishna (तुलसी)
Shyama	The dark one; a name of Radha (श्यामा)