Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Krishna
UnisexSanskrit· “black, dark”
- Meaning
- black, dark
- Origin
- Sanskrit
- Pronunciation
- KRIHSH-nuh
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #2,120
- US babies 2025
- 69
- Best rank
- #1,665 (2004)
- Peak year
- 2007
Meaning and origin of Krishna
Krishna is a Sanskrit name that means “black, dark”.
Krishna is a Sanskrit name meaning black or dark, and it is the name of one of the most widely worshipped deities in Hinduism. Krishna is revered as an avatar of Vishnu and is central to the Bhagavad Gita, where he teaches the warrior Arjuna. The name is used for both boys and girls in India and among Hindu families worldwide. Krishna carries associations with love, wisdom and divine play, and it has a rich spiritual and cultural heritage.
Popularity over time
Krishna first appears in US Social Security records in 1957. It has never ranked in the national top 1,000, which keeps it genuinely uncommon. Its best national rank was #1,665 in 2004, and the most babies received it in 2007, when 85 were named Krishna. In 2025, 69 babies were named Krishna, and it ranked #2,120 nationally. Its use has been fairly steady over the past decade.
Its national rank moved from #3,745 in 1980, #2,279 in 2000, #2,061 in 2010, and #2,120 in 2025. Of the 2,385 US boys named Krishna since records began, 28% were born in the 2010s, its biggest decade. The 2000s come next, with 655 babies.
Other babies' names that peaked around the same time include Talyn, Jaidan, Kamil, Taegan, and Samari.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Krishna ranked highest in Illinois, Texas, and California.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois | #1406 | 5 |
| Texas | #1522 | 12 |
| California | #1547 | 11 |
| New York | #1668 | 6 |
Gender, sound and spelling
Krishna is used for both boys and girls: over the last 20 years about 26% of US babies named Krishna were girls and 74% were boys.
Krishna is usually pronounced KRIHSH-nuh, with two syllables. It has seven letters, starts with K and ends in “-na”.
Middle names for Krishna
A few middle names that flow with Krishna: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Krishna
Similar names
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Lists that include Krishna
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Krishna mean?
Krishna is a Sanskrit name that means “black, dark”.
What is the origin of the name Krishna?
Krishna has Sanskrit roots. Krishna is a Sanskrit name meaning black or dark, and it is the name of one of the most widely worshipped deities in Hinduism.
Is Krishna a popular name?
Not especially. Krishna ranked #2,120 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Krishna a boy or girl name?
Krishna is used for both boys and girls: over the last 20 years about 26% of US babies named Krishna were girls and 74% were boys.
How do you pronounce Krishna?
Krishna is usually pronounced KRIHSH-nuh. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings