Kamala Girl
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: KAH-mah-lah /ˈkɑː.mə.lə/
Origin: Sanskrit; Indian
Meaning: Sanskrit: lotus; Indian: goddess
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Kamala has its roots in the Sanskrit language, where it means 'lotus' or 'pale red'. The term is derived from the word 'kamal', which is often associated with beauty and purity in Hindu culture.
The name has been used in various contexts within Indian literature and religious texts, symbolizing spiritual awakening and divine beauty. It is also linked to the goddess Lakshmi, who is often depicted seated on a lotus flower, further enhancing its cultural significance in Hinduism.
Historically, the name Kamala has been borne by notable figures in Indian history and mythology. One prominent example is Kamala Nehru, the wife of Jawaharlal Nehru, the first Prime Minister of India, who played a significant role in the Indian independence movement during the early 20th century.
Additionally, the name has appeared in various literary works and folklore, reinforcing its presence in Indian culture over the centuries. The use of the name can be traced back to ancient texts, where it is often associated with virtues such as grace and resilience.
Culturally, Kamala resonates with themes of femininity and strength, often embodying the ideals of beauty and wisdom. The lotus flower, a central symbol in many Asian cultures, represents purity and spiritual enlightenment, which are qualities that the name Kamala evokes.
In some contexts, diminutive forms such as Kamli may also be used affectionately, though Kamala remains the more formal and widely recognized version. The enduring nature of the name reflects its deep roots in cultural and spiritual traditions, making it a significant choice within various communities.
Famous people named Kamala
In this section, you will find notable people named Kamala. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Kamala who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Kamala who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.
Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.
Kamala Harris is a politician and attorney best known for being the Vice President of the United States, a U.S. Senator from California, and the Attorney General of California.
Kamala Das is a poet and author best known for her works such as My Story, The Descendants, and The Old Playhouse.
Fictional characters named Kamala
The following list of fictional characters named Kamala is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.
You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.
Kamala Khan is a fictional character from the comic book series Ms. Marvel. She is a Pakistani-American teenager who gains superpowers and becomes a superhero in her own right.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Kamala, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
Similar names
Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Kamala. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Kamala was first seen in the United States in 1955.
Kamala has ranked as high as #1023 nationally, which occurred in 1964, and has been most popular in California, New York, Texas, Ohio, and Illinois.
In the past 5 years the name Kamala has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Kamala is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Kamala was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Kamala (1993)
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. In some cases, you may see four or five states listed. However, we only display states where the name represents a significant percentage of births, so the number of states shown can range from one to several.
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| NY | 6 |
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Kamala.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 13 |
| 2023 | 7 |
| 2022 | 14 |
| 2021 | 25 |
| 2020 | 19 |
| 2019 | 13 |
| 2018 | 10 |
| 2017 | 10 |
| 2016 | 10 |
| 2015 | 9 |
| 2014 | 10 |
| 2012 | 8 |
| 2011 | 7 |
| 2009 | 11 |
| 2008 | 6 |
| 2007 | 6 |
| 2006 | 9 |
| 2005 | 7 |
| 2004 | 10 |
| 2003 | 8 |
| 2002 | 9 |
| 2001 | 8 |
| 1999 | 15 |
| 1998 | 9 |
| 1997 | 10 |
| 1996 | 6 |
| 1995 | 15 |
| 1994 | 8 |
| 1993 | 22 |
| 1992 | 12 |
| 1991 | 10 |
| 1990 | 13 |
| 1989 | 11 |
| 1988 | 12 |
| 1987 | 10 |
| 1986 | 8 |
| 1985 | 16 |
| 1984 | 13 |
| 1983 | 20 |
| 1982 | 16 |
| 1981 | 22 |
| 1980 | 19 |
| 1979 | 25 |
| 1978 | 25 |
| 1977 | 28 |
| 1976 | 29 |
| 1975 | 40 |
| 1974 | 35 |
| 1973 | 20 |
| 1972 | 35 |
| 1971 | 28 |
| 1970 | 39 |
| 1969 | 38 |
| 1968 | 48 |
| 1967 | 46 |
| 1966 | 51 |
| 1965 | 91 |
| 1964 | 105 |
| 1963 | 44 |
| 1962 | 20 |
| 1961 | 10 |
| 1960 | 10 |
| 1959 | 9 |
| 1958 | 7 |
| 1955 | 6 |