Magha is the tenth of the 27 nakshatras, the lunar mansions of Vedic astrology. It covers 0° 00′ to 13° 20′ Leo in the sidereal zodiac, is ruled by Ketu and is presided over by the Pitris, the ancestors. Magha’s four padas, each 3° 20′ wide, give the syllables Ma, Mi, Mu and Me.
In the traditional method, the Avakahada chakra gives the name its first sound according to the pada of the Moon at birth. Use the free nakshatra calculator with your child’s birth date, time and place to find which of Ma, Mi, Mu or Me applies. You can browse every star on the baby names by nakshatra page, or step to Ashlesha and Purva Phalguni.
The four syllables of Magha
| Pada | Syllable | Devanagari | Moon sign | Span |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ma | मा | Simha (Leo) | 0° 00′ to 3° 20′ Leo |
| 2 | Mi | मी | Simha (Leo) | 3° 20′ to 6° 40′ Leo |
| 3 | Mu | मू | Simha (Leo) | 6° 40′ to 10° 00′ Leo |
| 4 | Me | मे | Simha (Leo) | 10° 00′ to 13° 20′ Leo |
Boy names
Names starting with Ma (मा)
| Name | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Madhav | sweet as honey; a name of Krishna |
| Mayank | the moon |
| Manish | lord of the mind |
| Mahesh | great lord; a name of Shiva |
| Manav | human being |
| Manoj | born of the mind |
| Mahir | skilful, expert |
| Madan | love; the god of love |
| Manik | ruby |
| Mahendra | great Indra, great lord |
Names starting with Mi (मी)
| Name | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Mihir | the sun |
| Milan | meeting, union |
| Milind | bee |
| Mitesh | lord of friends |
| Mithun | a pair, a couple |
| Mitra | friend; also the sun |
| Mithilesh | king of Mithila |
| Milap | union, meeting |
Names starting with Mu (मू)
| Name | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Mukul | bud, blossom |
| Mukund | giver of liberation; a name of Krishna |
| Mudit | joyful |
| Murali | flute; a name of Krishna |
| Murari | a name of Krishna, foe of the demon Mura |
| Munish | lord of sages |
| Muni | sage, ascetic |
Names starting with Me (मे)
| Name | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Megh | cloud |
| Meghnad | thunder of the clouds |
| Mehul | rain |
| Meghraj | king of clouds |
| Meru | the sacred mountain of Indian cosmology |
| Meghdoot | cloud messenger |
| Meghashyam | dark as a rain cloud; a name of Krishna |
Girl names
Names starting with Ma (मा)
| Name | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Maya | illusion, enchantment |
| Mansi | of the mind |
| Manasvi | intelligent, strong-minded |
| Mahi | the earth |
| Madhuri | sweetness |
| Malati | jasmine |
| Mamta | motherly affection |
| Manjari | flower cluster, blossom spike |
| Maitri | friendship |
| Mala | garland |
| Mandakini | the Ganga, the heavenly river |
Names starting with Mi (मी)
| Name | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Meera | the devoted poet-saint Mirabai; a name for devotion |
| Meena | fish |
| Meenakshi | fish-eyed; a name of Goddess Parvati |
| Mihika | mist, dew |
| Mitali | friendship |
| Mithila | the ancient city of Mithila, Sita’s homeland |
| Mishti | sweet |
Names starting with Mu (मू)
| Name | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Mukta | pearl; liberated |
| Mukti | liberation |
| Mudita | joyful |
| Muskan | smile |
| Mugdha | charmed, innocent |
Names starting with Me (मे)
| Name | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Megha | cloud |
| Mehak | fragrance |
| Medha | intelligence |
| Meghna | of the cloud |
| Mekhala | girdle, belt |
| Meher | grace, kindness |
Choosing the name
All four syllables of Magha begin with M, which is a gentle gift for a parent: there are many well-loved names to choose from, and almost all of them are easy to say anywhere in the world. Because every pada of Magha falls in Simha (Leo), families who follow the rashi first-letter chart will find the same M sounds there, so the two traditions rarely pull in different directions for this star.
Many families also keep an older custom: a name chosen by a grandparent, a family deity, or a name that has passed down a line. That comes first. Magha is the star of ancestors, so a name that honours a grandparent sits quite naturally here, and plenty of families use no letter rule at all. Matching vowel length is relaxed in everyday practice, which is why Mayank and Mihir sit alongside Madhav and Meera above.
If you live abroad, check how the name is spelled and pronounced where you are. Meghna and Meher travel easily, while Mandakini may need a short nickname at school. Meaning matters more than the letter: choose a name you will be glad to say for decades.
About Magha
Magha takes its name from a word meaning mighty, great or bountiful. Its symbol is a royal throne, sometimes drawn as a palanquin, and it is ruled by Ketu with the Pitris, the ancestors, as its deity. Traditionally the star is linked with dignity, lineage, leadership and respect for those who came before, along with a wish to be recognised for what one gives. As with every nakshatra, these are tendencies to reflect on rather than fixed outcomes.
For the full picture, including the four padas and their navamsa signs, read our article on Moon in Magha nakshatra. To see which Moon sign your own chart gives, start with the Moon sign guides.
Frequently asked questions
↳ What are the letters for Magha nakshatra?
The four syllables of Magha are Ma, Mi, Mu and Me, one for each pada. Names usually begin with the syllable of the pada the Moon occupied at birth.
↳ Which letter for Magha nakshatra pada 3?
Pada 3 of Magha gives the syllable Mu (मू), covering 6° 40′ to 10° 00′ of Leo. Names such as Mukul, Mukund and Mudit start with this sound, and Mukta and Mudita are common for girls.
↳ Is Magha always in the Leo rashi?
Yes. All four padas of Magha lie within Simha (Leo), from 0° 00′ to 13° 20′ of the sign, so a Moon in Magha is always a Leo Moon in the sidereal zodiac.
↳ Can I choose a name outside these letters?
Yes. The syllable is a tradition, not a rule that binds anyone. Many families use the rashi chart, a family name or a name chosen purely for its meaning, and that is perfectly fine.