Uttara Bhadrapada is the twenty-sixth of the 27 nakshatras, the lunar mansions of Vedic astrology. It spans 3° 20′ to 16° 40′ Pisces, is ruled by Saturn and is presided over by Ahir Budhnya, the serpent of the deep. Its symbols are the back legs of a funeral cot and a pair of twins, and the name means “the later blessed feet”.
In Hindu naming tradition, the Moon’s quarter of Uttara Bhadrapada at birth sets the first sound of the baby’s name, following the Avakahada chakra. Uttara Bhadrapada has four padas, with the syllables Du, Tha, Jha and Na. To find the pada before you choose, use the free nakshatra calculator, which gives the pada and syllable from the birth date, time and place.
The four syllables of Uttara Bhadrapada
| Pada | Syllable | Devanagari | Moon sign | Span |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Du | दू | Meena (Pisces) | 3° 20′ to 6° 40′ Pisces |
| 2 | Tha | थ | Meena (Pisces) | 6° 40′ to 10° 00′ Pisces |
| 3 | Jha | झ | Meena (Pisces) | 10° 00′ to 13° 20′ Pisces |
| 4 | Na (ञ) | ञ | Meena (Pisces) | 13° 20′ to 16° 40′ Pisces |
Note: Three of the four syllables are rare or absent at the start of names. Tha is थ, Jha is झ and the fourth syllable is ञ, which almost never begins a word. Families born under this star usually use the nearest sound.
Boy names
Names starting with Du (दू)
| Name | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Dushyant | a king in the story of Shakuntala |
| Durgesh | lord of Durga, a name of Shiva |
| Dulal | dear child, beloved |
| Durgadas | servant of Durga |
Names starting with Tha (थ)
Names beginning with Tha (थ) are rare. In English spelling, Th is often used for the letters त or ठ, which are different letters, so no established names are listed. Families usually choose the nearest sound, Ta, and pick a name from that list.
Names starting with Jha (झ)
Names for boys beginning with Jha are rare, and none is listed. Families usually choose the nearest sound, Ja.
Names starting with Na (ञ) (ञ)
This is the nasal ञ, which almost never begins a word, so no names begin with it. Families usually use the nearest sound, Na (न) or Ya, and choose a name from those lists.
Girl names
Names starting with Du (दू)
| Name | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Durga | the goddess Durga |
| Durva | the sacred durva grass |
| Durgavati | a name of Durga, also a queen of Gondwana |
Names starting with Tha (थ)
No established girls’ names beginning with Tha (थ) are listed. Families usually choose the nearest sound, Ta.
Names starting with Jha (झ)
| Name | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Jharna | waterfall, spring |
Names beginning with Jha are rare. Jharna is genuine and in use, but the choice is small.
Names starting with Na (ञ) (ञ)
No names for girls begin with this sound either. Families usually use the nearest sound, Na (न) or Ya.
Choosing the name
Family tradition comes first. Some families keep strictly to the first-letter chart, some use the rashi letter (Uttara Bhadrapada is entirely in Meena, so the Moon sign letter is the same for all four padas), and many choose by meaning. All are accepted ways to name a child, and for this star the second and third options are very common.
Uttara Bhadrapada is the nakshatra where the first-letter chart is least practical. Du has a short but real list, Jha has Jharna, and Tha and the fourth syllable have almost nothing. For this reason, many families born under this star choose a name by meaning and simply record the nakshatra with the birth details.
If you want a name that fits the chart, Du is the best option. For pada 2, 3 or 4, the nearest sounds are Ta, Ja and Na, and an elder will almost always accept them.
For families abroad, Durga and Durva are easy to say. Jharna can be written Jharna, Jarna or Jhurna, so choose one spelling. Above all, let the meaning of the name guide you.
About Uttara Bhadrapada
Uttara Bhadrapada means “the later blessed feet”, the second of its pair with Purva Bhadrapada. Its symbols include the back legs of a funeral cot, a pair of twins and the serpent of the deep, and its deity is Ahir Budhnya, a serpent of the cosmic waters. The ruler is Saturn. People with an Uttara Bhadrapada Moon are traditionally described as calm, patient and reflective, with a deep reserve and a strong sense of duty. These are tendencies for reflection and not predictions for any child. To read more, see Moon in Uttara Bhadrapada nakshatra.
Browse the previous star, Purva Bhadrapada nakshatra names, then Revati nakshatra names, or return to all nakshatra baby names. For the way the Moon’s sign shapes a chart, start with the Moon signs.
Frequently asked questions
↳ What are the letters for Uttara Bhadrapada nakshatra?
The four syllables of Uttara Bhadrapada are Du, Tha, Jha and Na, one for each pada. Which of Du, Tha, Jha or Na applies depends on the pada of Uttara Bhadrapada the Moon occupied at birth.
↳ Which letter for Uttara Bhadrapada nakshatra pada 1?
Pada 1 of Uttara Bhadrapada gives the syllable Du (दू), so the name begins with Du, as in Durga or Dushyant. The Moon is in Meena (Pisces) from 3° 20′ to 6° 40′ for this pada.
↳ What should I do if there are no names for my baby's pada?
Names for Tha, Jha and the fourth syllable are rare, and this is well understood in the tradition. Families usually choose the nearest sound, or a name by meaning, and many keep the nakshatra syllable only in the horoscope.
↳ Can I choose a name outside these letters?
Yes. The first-letter rule is a tradition, not a requirement. If no name on the Uttara Bhadrapada lists feels right, choose by meaning or custom; that is a long-standing practice.