Mrigashira is the fifth of the 27 nakshatras, the lunar mansions of the Vedic zodiac. It spans 23° 20′ Taurus to 6° 40′ Gemini, its ruling planet is Mars, and its deity is Soma. Mrigashira spreads over 13° 20′ in four padas of 3° 20′, and each pada takes one syllable below.
In Hindu tradition the Avakahada chakra ties the baby’s first sound to the pada that held the Moon at birth. A baby born with the Moon in Mrigashira pada 1 takes Ve, pada 2 takes Vo, pada 3 takes Ka and pada 4 takes Ki. The free nakshatra calculator gives the pada and its syllable from the birth date, time and place, if you do not have them. To compare with other stars, return to the baby names hub.
The four syllables of Mrigashira
| Pada | Syllable | Devanagari | Moon sign | Span |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ve | वे | Vrishabha (Taurus) | 23° 20′ to 26° 40′ Taurus |
| 2 | Vo | वो | Vrishabha (Taurus) | 26° 40′ to 30° 00′ Taurus |
| 3 | Ka | का | Mithuna (Gemini) | 0° 00′ to 3° 20′ Gemini |
| 4 | Ki | की | Mithuna (Gemini) | 3° 20′ to 6° 40′ Gemini |
Boy names
Names starting with Ve (वे)
| Name | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Ved | sacred knowledge |
| Vedant | the end and essence of the Vedas |
| Vedansh | a portion of the Vedas |
| Vedang | a limb of the Vedas |
| Venu | flute |
| Venkatesh | a name of Vishnu at Tirumala |
| Venugopal | Krishna, the cowherd with the flute |
| Velan | a name of Murugan, the spear-bearer |
Names starting with Vo (वो)
Names beginning with Vo are rare, and none are listed here. Families usually choose the nearest sound, such as Ve or Va.
No widely used boy names are listed for this sound.
Names starting with Ka (का)
| Name | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Karan | doer, one who acts |
| Kartik | named for the month of Kartika |
| Kamal | lotus |
| Kailash | Shiva’s mountain home |
| Kapil | tawny, reddish-brown |
| Kanha | a name of Krishna |
| Kalyan | auspicious, welfare |
| Kamlesh | lord of the lotus, a name of Vishnu |
| Kartikeya | the son of Shiva and Parvati |
| Kanishk | the Kushan emperor Kanishka |
Names starting with Ki (की)
| Name | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Kiran | ray of light |
| Kishore | youth, a young boy |
| Kirit | crown |
| Kishan | a form of the name Krishna |
| Kinshuk | the flame-of-the-forest flower |
| Kirtan | devotional singing, praise |
Girl names
Names starting with Ve (वे)
| Name | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Vedika | sacrificial altar, a raised platform |
| Veda | sacred knowledge |
| Vedanshi | a portion of the Vedas |
| Veni | braid of hair, stream |
| Vennela | moonlight |
Names starting with Vo (वो)
No widely used girl names are listed for this sound.
Names starting with Ka (का)
| Name | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Kavya | poetry |
| Kamala | lotus, a name of Lakshmi |
| Kavita | poem |
| Kanika | tiny particle |
| Kajal | kohl |
| Kalpana | imagination |
| Kanchan | gold |
| Karuna | compassion |
| Kamini | graceful, desirable woman |
| Kaveri | the sacred river |
| Kalyani | auspicious |
| Kamakshi | one with loving eyes, a name of Parvati |
Names starting with Ki (की)
| Name | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Kirti | fame, glory |
| Kiran | ray of light |
| Kirtana | song of praise |
| Kishori | young girl, a name of Radha |
| Kinnari | a celestial musician |
Choosing the name
Mrigashira begins in Taurus and ends in Gemini, so padas 1 and 2 are Vrishabha and padas 3 and 4 are Mithuna. Ve has a clear set of names, many drawn from the Vedas, such as Ved and Vedant. Vo is rare, so pada 2 families often use the nearest sound, Ve or Va. Ka and Ki are rich sounds, and with Karan or Kartik, Kavya or Kamala, there is more than enough to choose from. If you live abroad, note that Ki can be read as Key or Kee; Kiran and Kirti are widely understood.
Look first to your family’s own custom. Some families stay with the pada syllable (Ve, Vo, Ka or Ki), some use the rashi first-letter chart (our name rashi calculator shows it, and this nakshatra falls in the Taurus Moon sign and Gemini Moon sign), and many use no letter rule at all, which is perfectly fine. A name that will be spelled and spoken in another country deserves a trial run, so say it with the surname aloud. Weigh its meaning above the letter: it should be one you would be glad to explain to your child.
About Mrigashira
Mrigashira is the fifth nakshatra, symbolised by the head of a deer, and its deity is Soma, the Moon. Mars rules it, giving the tradition’s image of a gentle seeker with a restless, energetic edge. It is linked with curiosity, searching, travel and a love of learning. It spans two signs, so the Moon sign depends on the pada. For the full reading see our article on Moon in Mrigashira nakshatra.
Browse every star on the baby names hub, or move to the previous nakshatra, Rohini or next nakshatra, Ardra.
Frequently asked questions
↳ What are the letters for Mrigashira nakshatra?
The four syllables for Mrigashira nakshatra are Ve, Vo, Ka and Ki, one for each pada. Traditionally the name begins with the sound of the Mrigashira pada the Moon held at birth: Ve, Vo, Ka or Ki.
↳ Which letter for Mrigashira nakshatra pada 1?
Mrigashira pada 1 gives the syllable Ve (वे). The Moon is in Vrishabha (Taurus) for that pada, at 23° 20′ to 26° 40′ Taurus.
↳ How do I find the pada of my baby's Moon?
Put the date, time and place of birth into the site's free nakshatra calculator; it checks whether the Moon stood in Mrigashira. It shows the pada as well, and so which of Ve, Vo, Ka or Ki is the traditional first sound. Use the most accurate birth time you have, because the Moon crosses each quarter of Mrigashira in roughly six hours.
↳ Can I choose a name outside these letters?
Yes. Outside the Mrigashira syllables, families also use the rashi letter chart, a grandparent's choice or no letter rule at all. Many parents honour the Mrigashira sounds and many do not; both are accepted, and the meaning counts most.