कपिल

Kapil

boySanskritHindu

Kapil is a Hindu boy name of Sanskrit origin, meaning “Tawny, reddish-brown”.

MeaningTawny, reddish-brown
GenderBoy
OriginSanskrit
Written asकपिल
PronunciationKUH-pil
TraditionHindu
Used inIndia, Nepal

Meaning and origin of Kapil

Kapil comes from the Sanskrit kapila, 'tawny' or 'reddish-brown'. It is the name of the ancient sage Kapila, traditionally regarded as the founder of the Samkhya school of philosophy, and the Buddha's home city, Kapilavastu, is named after him in tradition. Cricketer Kapil Dev, who captained India to its first World Cup in 1983, made the name hugely popular. It remains a familiar name across the country.

Is Kapil a Hindu name?

In the Bhagavata Purana the sage Kapila is an incarnation of Vishnu who teaches his mother Devahuti, giving the name a respected place in Hindu tradition.

How popular is Kapil?

Well known across India, especially for boys born in the 1980s.

Gifts with the name Kapil

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Spellings and variants of Kapil

Names similar to Kapil

More Hindu boy names

Frequently asked questions

What does the name Kapil mean?

Kapil means 'Tawny, reddish-brown'. It is of Sanskrit origin.

Is Kapil a Hindu name?

In the Bhagavata Purana the sage Kapila is an incarnation of Vishnu who teaches his mother Devahuti, giving the name a respected place in Hindu tradition.

How do you pronounce Kapil?

Kapil is pronounced KUH-pil.

Is Kapil a boy or girl name?

Kapil is usually a boy name.

Updated October 2026. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.