Shakuntala
Shakuntala is a Hindu girl name of Sanskrit origin, meaning “Protected by birds”.
| Meaning | Protected by birds |
|---|---|
| Gender | Girl |
| Origin | Sanskrit |
| Written as | शकुन्तला |
| Pronunciation | shuh-KOON-tuh-laa |
| Tradition | Hindu |
| Used in | India, Nepal |
Meaning and origin of Shakuntala
Shakuntala is traditionally explained from shakunta, 'bird', because as an abandoned baby she was sheltered by birds before the sage Kanva found her. Her love story with King Dushyanta appears in the Mahabharata and was made famous by Kalidasa's play Abhijnanashakuntalam. Their son Bharata gave his name to India, Bharat. The mathematician Shakuntala Devi is a well-known modern bearer.
Is Shakuntala a Hindu name?
Shakuntala is a heroine of Hindu epic literature and the mother of Bharata, ancestor of the Kuru line.
How popular is Shakuntala?
A classic name, more often borne by older generations today.
Gifts with the name Shakuntala
- Shakuntala name necklaces & bracelets (Amazon)
- Personalised Shakuntala baby gifts (Amazon)
- Hindu baby gifts & books (Amazon)
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Spellings and variants of Shakuntala
Names similar to Shakuntala
More Hindu girl names
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Shakuntala mean?
Shakuntala means 'Protected by birds'. It is of Sanskrit origin.
Is Shakuntala a Hindu name?
Shakuntala is a heroine of Hindu epic literature and the mother of Bharata, ancestor of the Kuru line.
How do you pronounce Shakuntala?
Shakuntala is pronounced shuh-KOON-tuh-laa.
Is Shakuntala a boy or girl name?
Shakuntala is usually a girl name.