Kala
Kala (काल) is a Sanskrit-origin Hindu boy-name meaning “He who is Time itself, the universal measure”. Find pronunciation, origin, deity association, popularity and similar Hindu baby names.
Kala (काल) is a Sanskrit-origin Hindu boy-name meaning “He who is Time itself, the universal measure”. Find pronunciation, origin, deity association, popularity and similar Hindu baby names.
Kala (काल, IAST: Kāla) is a Sanskrit-origin Hindu boy-name meaning “He who is Time itself, the universal measure”. From the root kal (to count, to measure), Kāla names Viṣṇu as the very substance and flow of time, the eternal backdrop against which all existence unfolds and dissolves.
Meaning, etymology & significance
Kāla is among the most philosophically rich names in the Sahasranāma: it affirms that Viṣṇu is not merely a being within time but is time itself — the inexorable force that ripens all things, as the Bhagavad Gītā declares, 'kālo'smi lokakṣayakṛt pravṛddhaḥ.' This identification with Kāla elevates Viṣṇu beyond all temporal limitation while showing Him as the very medium of cosmic experience.
As a given name, Kāla is concise and ancient; it is also borne as an epithet by Śiva and Yama, making context important. Pronounced simply 'KA-la,' it is occasionally used in South Indian naming traditions, though parents may prefer compound forms like Mahākāla to distinguish the divine nuance.
Scriptural source
Kala appears in the Vishnu Sahasranama, among the sacred names of Vishnu.
Astrology — nakshatra, rashi & numerology
By the standard Vedic correspondence between a name’s first syllable and the lunar mansion, Kala aligns with the Mrigashira nakshatra, under the Mithuna rashi (Moon sign). Its Chaldean name-number is 7.
Kala — Name Facts
- Meaning
- He who is Time itself, the universal measure
- Gender
- Hindu boy name
- Nakshatra
- Mrigashira
- Rashi
- Mithuna (Gemini)
- Numerology
- 7
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Kala mean?
Kala is a Sanskrit-origin Hindu boy name meaning “He who is Time itself, the universal measure”.
Is Kala a boy or girl name?
Kala is traditionally a Hindu boy name.
Which nakshatra and rashi suit the name Kala?
By the first-syllable rule of Vedic naming, Kala aligns with the Mrigashira nakshatra, under the Mithuna (Gemini) rashi.
What is the numerology number of Kala?
The Chaldean name number of Kala is 7.
Explore more: Mrigashira nakshatra names · Mithuna rashi names · Hindu boy names with K · All Hindu names A–Z