Purva Phalguni is the eleventh of the 27 nakshatras, the lunar mansions of Vedic astrology. It covers 13° 20′ to 26° 40′ Leo in the sidereal zodiac, is ruled by Venus and is presided over by Bhaga, the Vedic god of good fortune and shared enjoyment. The 13° 20′ of Purva Phalguni falls into four padas of 3° 20′, each with a syllable of its own: Mo, Ta, Ti and Tu.
Tradition, through the Avakahada chakra, takes the first sound of the name from the pada the Moon occupied when the child was born. The free nakshatra calculator will return the pada and syllable once you give it the birth date, time and place. You can browse every star on the baby names by nakshatra page, or step to Magha and Uttara Phalguni.
The four syllables of Purva Phalguni
| Pada | Syllable | Devanagari | Moon sign | Span |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mo | मो | Simha (Leo) | 13° 20′ to 16° 40′ Leo |
| 2 | Ta | टा | Simha (Leo) | 16° 40′ to 20° 00′ Leo |
| 3 | Ti | टी | Simha (Leo) | 20° 00′ to 23° 20′ Leo |
| 4 | Tu | टू | Simha (Leo) | 23° 20′ to 26° 40′ Leo |
Ta, Ti and Tu here are the retroflex ट, different from the dental त of Vishakha. In English spelling they look the same, which is a common source of confusion.
Boy names
Names starting with Mo (मो)
| Name | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Mohan | enchanting; a name of Krishna |
| Mohit | enchanted, charmed |
| Moksh | liberation |
| Mohnish | lord of enchantment |
Names starting with Ta (टा)
Names starting with the retroflex Ta (टा) are rare, so none are listed here. Families usually take the nearest sound.
Names starting with Ti (टी)
Names starting with the retroflex Ti (टी) are rare, so none are listed here. Families usually take the nearest sound.
Names starting with Tu (टू)
Names starting with the retroflex Tu (टू) are rare, so none are listed here. Families usually take the nearest sound.
Girl names
Names starting with Mo (मो)
| Name | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Mohini | enchantress; also a form of Vishnu |
| Moksha | liberation |
| Mohana | charming |
| Mohita | enchanted |
Names starting with Ta (टा)
Names starting with the retroflex Ta (टा) are rare, so none are listed here. Families usually take the nearest sound.
Names starting with Ti (टी)
Names starting with the retroflex Ti (टी) are rare, so none are listed here. Families usually take the nearest sound.
Names starting with Tu (टू)
Names starting with the retroflex Tu (टू) are rare, so none are listed here. Families usually take the nearest sound.
Choosing the name
Purva Phalguni is a star where the traditional syllables need a little honesty. Pada 1 gives Mo, which has a handful of lovely names. Padas 2, 3 and 4 give the retroflex Ta, Ti and Tu (ट, टी, टू), and very few real names begin with those sounds. That is why this page lists names only under Mo.
In practice, many families in the pada 2 to 4 range turn to the dental sound that looks the same in English, such as Tanmay (absorbed in thought), Tushar (frost), Tilak (an auspicious mark) or Tanvi (slender and delicate). Strictly these start with त, not ट, so whether you accept them is a matter for your family and your priest. Others prefer to follow the rashi chart: all of Purva Phalguni lies in Simha (Leo), whose letters include M and T.
Begin with what your own family does, and know that many families use no letter rule at all. If you live abroad, think about spelling and pronunciation: Mohan and Moksha are simple to say anywhere. Meaning matters more than the letter, so a name you love is a better choice than one that merely fits a syllable.
About Purva Phalguni
Purva Phalguni, the earlier of the two Phalguni stars, spans the middle of Leo. Its symbol is the front legs of a bed, often pictured as a hammock, an image of rest and enjoyment after effort. Venus rules it and Bhaga presides over it, the Vedic god linked with fortune and a fair share of life’s pleasures. Traditionally the star is associated with warmth, creativity, generosity and a love of beauty and company, though these are themes to reflect on, not promises.
Our article on Moon in Purva Phalguni nakshatra covers the padas, mythology and navamsa signs in depth.
Frequently asked questions
↳ What are the letters for Purva Phalguni nakshatra?
The four syllables are Mo, Ta, Ti and Tu, one for each pada. Ta, Ti and Tu are the retroflex ट sounds, not the dental त.
↳ Which letter for Purva Phalguni nakshatra pada 2?
Pada 2 gives the syllable Ta (टा), covering 16° 40′ to 20° 00′ of Leo. Very few genuine names begin with this retroflex sound, so many families use the nearest sound or a name from pada 1.
↳ Why are there so few names for Ta, Ti and Tu?
The retroflex ट is rarely used to begin Sanskrit-based names, while the dental त is very common. Because they look identical in English, lists often mix them up, so this page keeps them apart.
↳ Can I choose a name outside these letters?
Yes. The syllable is a tradition and not a rule. Families often follow the rashi chart, a family custom, or choose a name for its meaning alone.