What does Krishna mean and where does it come from?
Krishna is a name of Sanskrit origin that is primarily associated with Hinduism. While traditionally male, it is increasingly used as a female name in modern contexts. The name means 'dark' or 'black,' referring to the deity Krishna. He is celebrated widely in Indian culture and literature. In recen
Cultural significance
Krishna has been a cherished name across cultures, particularly in India-speaking communities, where it reflects values of dark, black; lord krishna is considered a god of compassion and love..
Peak popularity
Reached #1531 in 1971 — currently #2522 in the US.
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Related Reading
India-origin baby names with timeless appeal
Browse names →What middle names flow best with Krishna?
Krishna works best with short, strong middle names — one or two syllables keep the full name from becoming a mouthful
Krishna Grace
Most popular combo · classic
Krishna Rose
Floral · soft ending
Krishna Mae
Sweet · timeless
Krishna Claire
French influence · crisp
Krishna Jane
Literary · strong
Krishna Skye
Modern · airy feel
How popular is Krishna right now?
Rising — up 17 spots — currently #2522 in the US out of 135.5k tracked names
| Year | US Rank | Births | vs Prior Year |
|---|
| 2023 | #2522 | 53 | ▲ up 17 · -2% births |
| 2022 | #2539 | 54 | ▼ down 63 |
| 2021 | #2476 | 54 | ▲ up 8701 · +575% births |
| 2020 | #11177 | 8 | ▼ down 6015 · -69% births |
| 2015 | #5162 | 26 | ▲ up 309 · +4% births |
| 2010 | #5471 | 25 | ▼ down 2140 · -46% births |
| 2005 | #3331 | 46 | ▼ down 42 · +12% births |
| 2000 | #3289 | 41 | ▼ down 333 · +3% births |
| 1995 | #2956 | 40 | ▲ up 161 · +11% births |
| 1990 | #3117 | 36 | ▲ up 1430 · +112% births |
| 1985 | #4547 | 17 | ▼ down 1576 · -43% births |
| 1980 | #2971 | 30 | ▼ down 782 · -23% births |
| 1975 | #2189 | 39 | ▲ up 47 · +8% births |
| 1970 | #2236 | 36 | ▲ up 4090 · +500% births |
| 1965 | #6326 | 6 | — |
The story of Krishna
Krishna entered American naming records in 1958 and has been in use for over 66 years. With 3,911 total births recorded, Krishna remains relatively uncommon. The name has grown more popular over time, rising from #4751 in 1960 to #2522 in 2023. Krishna is used for both genders: 46% female and 54% male.
Names that peaked alongside Krishna in 1971:
Krishna by decade
| Decade | Births | |
|---|
| 1950s | 15 | |
| 1960s | 139 | |
| 1970s | 553 | |
| 1980s | 406 | |
| 1990s | 798 | |
| 2000s ★ | 1,039 | |
| 2010s | 904 | |
| 2020s | 57 | |
💎With 3,911 total births, Krishna is an uncommon but established name.
What are good nicknames for Krishna?
What names sound and feel like Krishna?
Based on sound, origin, and style — parents who love Krishna also consider these
How is Krishna written in other languages?
Nepali), কৃষ্ণ
Bengali), કૃષ્ણ (Gujarati), కృష్ణ (Telugu), கிருஷ்ணா (Tamil), ಕೃಷ್ಣ (Kannada), കൃഷ്ണ (Malayalam
Common questions about the name Krishna
What does the name Krishna mean?
Krishna means "Dark, black; Lord Krishna is considered a god of compassion and love." — a name rooted in India tradition that carries both historical depth and timeless appeal. The meaning reflects values that have made this name endure across generations.
How popular is the name Krishna?
Krishna is currently a distinctive and less common name as a baby name in the US and is rapidly gaining popularity — searches for Krishna have increased significantly in recent years.
What is the cultural origin of Krishna?
Krishna originates from India tradition. India names tend to carry strong cultural heritage and have spread across the world through migration, literature, and religion over centuries.
How do you pronounce the name Krishna?
Krishna is a two-syllable name pronounced K R IH1 SH N AH0. The pronunciation is straightforward for English speakers, and the name reads clearly on paper — an important practical consideration for parents.
Is Krishna trending right now?
Krishna is currently on the rise — it has gained significant momentum in recent years as parents discover its appeal.