Krishna Unisex
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: KRISH-nuh /ˈkrɪʃ.nə/
Origin: Sanskrit; Hindi
Meaning: Sanskrit: 'dark' or 'black'; Hindi: 'the all-attractive one'
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Krishna has its roots in ancient Sanskrit, derived from the word 'kṛṣṇa', which means 'dark' or 'black', often interpreted as 'the all-attractive one'. This name is primarily associated with the Hindu deity Krishna, who is a central figure in various texts, including the Mahabharata and the Bhagavad Gita.
The etymological journey of the name can be traced back to the Vedic texts, where Krishna is depicted as a divine hero and a god of compassion, tenderness, and love. The name entered English through transliterations from Sanskrit, influenced by the spread of Hinduism and Indian culture during the colonial period and the subsequent interest in Eastern philosophies in the West.
Historically, Krishna is celebrated as an avatar of the god Vishnu, with significant references appearing as early as the 1st millennium BCE. The Bhagavad Gita, composed around the 2nd century BCE to the 2nd century CE, features Krishna as a charioteer and guide to the warrior Arjuna, imparting spiritual wisdom and guidance.
The name gained further prominence through various texts and traditions, including the Puranas, which narrate the life and exploits of Krishna, emphasizing his role in the cosmic order and his playful, mischievous nature as a child. Culturally, Krishna symbolizes love, devotion, and the divine playfulness of life, resonating deeply within Hindu traditions and festivals, such as Janmashtami, which celebrates his birth.
The name has also inspired numerous artistic representations, literature, and music throughout centuries, reflecting the rich tapestry of Indian culture. Diminutive forms or related names, such as 'Krish' or 'Krishan', have emerged in various regions, further embedding the name within the cultural landscape.
Overall, Krishna remains a significant and enduring name, deeply rooted in spiritual and cultural heritage.
Famous people named Krishna
In this section, you will find notable people named Krishna. 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 Krishna who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Krishna 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.
Krishna is a deity in Hinduism best known for the Bhagavad Gita, Mahabharata, and various Puranas.
Krishna Das is a musician best known for his devotional music and chanting albums.
Krishna B. Reddy is an artist and printmaker best known for his contributions to the field of printmaking and his works in the 20th century.
Krishna Shroff is a producer and entrepreneur best known for her work in the film industry and as the daughter of actor Jackie Shroff.
Fictional characters named Krishna
The following list of fictional characters named Krishna 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.
Krishna is a fictional character from the Indian epic Mahabharata. He is a divine figure who plays a crucial role as a charioteer and guide to the hero Arjuna, imparting spiritual wisdom in the Bhagavad Gita.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Krishna, 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 Krishna. 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 Krishna was first seen in the United States in 1957.
Krishna has ranked as high as #3062 nationally, which occurred in 2007, and has been most popular in California, New Jersey, New York, Texas, and Illinois.
In the past 5 years the name Krishna has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Krishna 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 Krishna was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
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 Krishna.
| Year | Total Births | Boy | Girl |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 85 | 69 | 16 |
| 2024 | 74 | 58 | 16 |
| 2023 | 69 | 53 | 16 |
| 2022 | 72 | 54 | 18 |
| 2021 | 73 | 54 | 19 |
| 2020 | 59 | 51 | 8 |
| 2019 | 62 | 48 | 14 |
| 2018 | 84 | 64 | 20 |
| 2017 | 90 | 75 | 15 |
| 2016 | 97 | 73 | 24 |
| 2015 | 94 | 68 | 26 |
| 2014 | 93 | 67 | 26 |
| 2013 | 92 | 64 | 28 |
| 2012 | 106 | 79 | 27 |
| 2011 | 99 | 69 | 30 |
| 2010 | 91 | 66 | 25 |
| 2009 | 100 | 74 | 26 |
| 2008 | 108 | 70 | 38 |
| 2007 | 123 | 85 | 38 |
| 2006 | 102 | 71 | 31 |
| 2005 | 105 | 59 | 46 |
| 2004 | 116 | 78 | 38 |
| 2003 | 105 | 65 | 40 |
| 2002 | 104 | 53 | 51 |
| 2001 | 93 | 57 | 36 |
| 2000 | 84 | 43 | 41 |
| 1999 | 105 | 50 | 55 |
| 1998 | 105 | 51 | 54 |
| 1997 | 93 | 47 | 46 |
| 1996 | 80 | 31 | 49 |
| 1995 | 72 | 32 | 40 |
| 1994 | 73 | 29 | 44 |
| 1993 | 63 | 25 | 38 |
| 1992 | 69 | 31 | 38 |
| 1991 | 75 | 23 | 52 |
| 1990 | 63 | 27 | 36 |
| 1989 | 56 | 20 | 36 |
| 1988 | 36 | 11 | 25 |
| 1987 | 52 | 16 | 36 |
| 1986 | 44 | 19 | 25 |
| 1985 | 31 | 14 | 17 |
| 1984 | 45 | 18 | 27 |
| 1983 | 32 | 14 | 18 |
| 1982 | 35 | 14 | 21 |
| 1981 | 34 | 15 | 19 |
| 1980 | 41 | 11 | 30 |
| 1979 | 36 | 15 | 21 |
| 1978 | 46 | 20 | 26 |
| 1977 | 48 | 16 | 32 |
| 1976 | 44 | 15 | 29 |
| 1975 | 53 | 14 | 39 |
| 1974 | 55 | 8 | 47 |
| 1973 | 60 | 14 | 46 |
| 1972 | 68 | 18 | 50 |
| 1971 | 92 | 27 | 65 |
| 1970 | 51 | 15 | 36 |
| 1969 | 35 | 9 | 26 |
| 1968 | 29 | 10 | 19 |
| 1967 | 21 | 10 | 11 |
| 1966 | 12 | 7 | 5 |
| 1965 | 12 | 6 | 6 |
| 1962 | 5 | 0 | 5 |
| 1961 | 10 | 5 | 5 |
| 1960 | 15 | 6 | 9 |
| 1959 | 5 | 0 | 5 |
| 1958 | 5 | 0 | 5 |
| 1957 | 5 | 5 | 0 |
Top States for Krishna (2024)
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| CA | 12 | |
| FL | 5 | |
| TX | 5 |