Kamala
Meaning of Kamala
Kamala is a feminine given name of Sanskrit derivation, signifying “lotus” and historically serving as an epithet of the Hindu goddess Lakshmi. Phonologically, it is realized in Sanskrit as /kʌˈmʌlʌ/ and in English as /kəˈmɑlə/, reflecting a systematic shift in vowel quality upon adoption into Anglo-American usage. An analysis of U.S. Social Security data indicates that Kamala has consistently maintained a position within the top 1,000 female names since the early 1950s, with its rank oscillating in response to cultural visibility—most recently recording 13 occurrences at rank 937 in 2024. This longitudinal profile exhibits both episodic peaks and troughs, suggesting that the name’s resonance derives from its classical heritage and periodic amplification through prominent bearers, thereby informing contemporary naming practices seeking a balance of historical gravitas and modern relevance.
Pronunciation
Sanskrit
- Pronunced as kah-mah-lah (/kʌˈmʌlʌ/)
English
- Pronunced as kuh-MAH-luh (/kəˈmɑlə/)
U.S. Popularity Chart
Notable People Named Kamala
| Kamala Harris is an American politician who served as the first female, Black and Asian American vice president of the United States. |
| Kamala Surayya, also known as Kamala Das, was an Indian poet and author celebrated for her candid writing about women's lives. |
| Kamala Sohonie was a pioneering Indian biochemist who became the first Indian woman to earn a PhD in science in 1939. |
| Kamala Balakrishnan was an Indian military officer and immunologist who led the American Society of Histocompatibility and Immunogenetics. |
| Kamala Markandaya was a British Indian novelist and journalist celebrated as one of the most important Indian writers in English. |
