Punarvasu is the seventh of the 27 nakshatras, the lunar mansions of the Vedic zodiac. It spans 20° 00′ Gemini to 3° 20′ Cancer, its ruling planet is Jupiter, and its deity is Aditi. Punarvasu stretches across 13° 20′ and is cut into four padas of 3° 20′, one per syllable below.
Hindu tradition reads the baby’s first sound from the Moon’s pada at birth, using a chart called the Avakahada chakra. A baby born with the Moon in Punarvasu pada 1 takes Ke, pada 2 takes Ko, pada 3 takes Ha and pada 4 takes Hi. If the pada is a mystery, the free nakshatra calculator solves it, and shows the syllable too, from the birth date, time and place. Step back to the baby names hub to browse the other stars.
The four syllables of Punarvasu
| Pada | Syllable | Devanagari | Moon sign | Span |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ke | के | Mithuna (Gemini) | 20° 00′ to 23° 20′ Gemini |
| 2 | Ko | को | Mithuna (Gemini) | 23° 20′ to 26° 40′ Gemini |
| 3 | Ha | हा | Mithuna (Gemini) | 26° 40′ to 30° 00′ Gemini |
| 4 | Hi | ही | Karka (Cancer) | 0° 00′ to 3° 20′ Cancer |
Boy names
Names starting with Ke (के)
| Name | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Keshav | a name of Krishna, the long-haired |
| Ketan | house, banner |
| Kedar | a name of Shiva, a field |
| Kedarnath | lord of Kedar, a name of Shiva |
| Keyur | armlet |
| Kesari | lion |
Names starting with Ko (को)
Names beginning with Ko are not common. Only a few genuine names are listed, and families often choose the nearest sound, Ka.
| Name | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Kovid | scholar, wise |
Names starting with Ha (हा)
| Name | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Harsh | joy |
| Hari | a name of Vishnu |
| Hardik | from the heart, heartfelt |
| Harish | lord Hari |
| Hanuman | the devoted monkey god of the Ramayana |
| Harshit | joyful |
| Harshad | giver of joy |
| Harshvardhan | increasing joy |
| Harit | green |
| Haridas | servant of Hari |
| Harikrishna | Vishnu and Krishna combined |
Names starting with Hi (ही)
| Name | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Himanshu | the moon, one with cool rays |
| Hitesh | well-wisher, lord of welfare |
| Hiren | diamond |
| Himadri | the Himalaya, mountain of snow |
| Hiranmay | golden |
Girl names
Names starting with Ke (के)
| Name | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Ketaki | the screwpine flower |
| Keya | a fragrant flower |
Names starting with Ko (को)
| Name | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Komal | soft, delicate |
| Kokila | the cuckoo |
Names starting with Ha (हा)
| Name | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Hansa | swan |
| Harini | deer |
| Harshita | joyful |
| Haripriya | beloved of Hari |
| Harshini | joyful |
Names starting with Hi (ही)
| Name | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Himani | snow-like |
| Himaja | daughter of the Himalaya, a name of Parvati |
| Hiranmayi | golden |
| Hiya | heart |
Choosing the name
Punarvasu begins in Gemini and ends in Cancer, so the first three padas are Mithuna and pada 4 is Karka. Ha is the richest sound, with many well-known names, and Hi is next. Ke has a few, such as Keshav and Kedar, and Ko is thin: Kovid for boys and Komal and Kokila for girls. Families with a pada 2 baby often choose the nearest sound, Ka. The table writes Ha and Hi with long vowels (हा, ही), but names like Harsh and Himanshu use a short sound, and families see them as the same. Hari and Harsh are simple to say abroad.
Your family’s custom has the first say. Some families use the pada syllable (Ke, Ko, Ha or Hi) strictly, some the rashi first-letter chart (see it with our name rashi calculator, and note that this nakshatra falls in the Gemini Moon sign and Cancer Moon sign), and many use no letter rule at all, which is perfectly fine. If your child will grow up abroad, say the chosen name aloud with the surname and consider how it is spelled. When in doubt, pick the meaning you would be proud to explain to your child over a perfect match to the letter.
About Punarvasu
Punarvasu is the seventh nakshatra, symbolised by a quiver of arrows, and its deity is Aditi, the boundless mother of the gods. Jupiter rules it, and the tradition links it with return, renewal, optimism and a gentle, generous nature. It spans two signs, Gemini and Cancer. See our article on Moon in Punarvasu nakshatra for the full reading.
Browse every star on the baby names hub, or move to the previous nakshatra, Ardra or next nakshatra, Pushya.
Frequently asked questions
↳ What are the letters for Punarvasu nakshatra?
The four syllables for Punarvasu nakshatra are Ke, Ko, Ha and Hi, one for each pada. In the naming tradition, the Moon's pada in Punarvasu gives the opening sound of the name.
↳ Which letter for Punarvasu nakshatra pada 2?
Punarvasu pada 2 gives the syllable Ko (को). The Moon is in Mithuna (Gemini) for that pada, at 23° 20′ to 26° 40′ Gemini.
↳ How do I find the pada of my baby's Moon?
The free nakshatra calculator on this site needs only the date, time and place of birth to place the Moon in Punarvasu or a neighbouring star. The result names the pada too, so you can see which of Ke, Ko, Ha or Hi belongs to your child. The birth time matters: the Moon spends only about six hours in each pada of Punarvasu, so a small error can change the syllable.
↳ Can I choose a name outside these letters?
Yes. Some families use the rashi first-letter chart instead of the Punarvasu syllables, and some keep a family name whatever the star. Following Ke, Ko, Ha or Hi is a tradition rather than an obligation; a meaning your family values matters more.