Kali
2 syllables
⚧ Unisex ◎ Hindu / Sanskrit ◈ 2 syllables
"Woman of Gloom"

From Hindu / Sanskrit

Kali means the dark one or time — from the Sanskrit. Kali is one of the most powerful goddesses in Hinduism: destroyer of evil, protector of the innocent, and the embodiment of time itself. She wears a garland of skulls and dances on Shiva's chest. Kali is terrifying and compassionate simultaneously. Two syllables of cosmic destruction and maternal protection.

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Kali at a glance
MeaningWoman of Gloom
OriginHindu / Sanskrit
GenderUnisex
Syllables2
NumerologyLife Path 6
US Rank (today)#276
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Why parents love Kali
  • The Hindu goddess Kali is one of the most powerful deities in any religion.
  • The meaning destroyer of evil is fiercely protective.
  • Two syllables with a sharp, beautiful sound: KAH-lee.
  • Kali represents the most powerful form of feminine energy.
  • It bridges Hindu and Western naming traditions.
The vibe of Kali
goddessdestroyerdarktimeHindufierceprotectiveskullscosmic
Origin & history of Kali
Sanskrit काली (Kālī, the dark one / time) English Kali
1
Hindu / Sanskrit roots
Kali comes from the Sanskrit meaning the dark one or time. In Hinduism, Kali is one of the most powerful forms of the Divine Mother — she destroys evil, protects the innocent, and represents time itself. She is depicted wearing a garland of skulls and dancing on Shiva's chest. Kali has entered US naming as part of the broader trend of goddess names.
2
First recorded
Earliest known use: Ancient Hindu deity; used as a given name in both Hindu and Western traditions.
3
Today
Kali remains a beloved choice, ranking #276 in the US. 32,455 babies have been named Kali since 1957.
◈ Sources: Behind the Name, Hindu mythology sources, SSA data
How popular is Kali?
2019 peak year
Today, Kali ranks around #276 in the United States, with roughly 1,189 new arrivals per year. But it wasn't always this way. At its peak in 2019, 1,311 babies were given the name (ranked #242 nationally). Its strongest stretch was the 2010s. Kali's usage has held roughly steady recently. In all, around 32,455 babies have been registered as Kali since 1880.
Year-by-year registrations 1880–2024 · U.S. Social Security data
1,311 Babies named in peak year
(ranked #242)
1,189 Avg. per year
(last decade)
11,890 Total registrations
last 10 years
32,455 All-time total
(since 1880)
Popularity in the US today (rank #276) Very popular
→ Holding steady in recent years
📊 Check all names registered in the United States →
Numerology of Kali
6
Life path number
The Nurturer
Nurturing, love and responsibility.

Kali's Life Path 1 is the leader's number — cosmic leadership. People named Kali tend to be fierce, protective, and gifted at destroying whatever threatens the people they love.

Destroys evil
Fiercely protective
Time itself
Cosmic mother
Dances on chaos
K2
A1
L3
I9
Sum: 15 → Life path 6
Personality of Kali
❤️
Nurturing heart
They notice when someone is struggling before anyone else.
🏡
Creates warmth
Their circle is warmer for their presence.
⚖️
Strong morals
They know what's right and stand by it.
🌸
Quietly selfless
They give and give, often without realising how much.
Famous people named Kali

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Names that sound like Kali

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Names that combine with Kali

Sibling pairings that share the timeless, classic energy of Kali.

Middle names for Kali

The right middle name turns Kali into a complete story. Explore options for first-and-middle pairings, then last-name flow.

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Numerology life path calculator

Enter any full name and date of birth to discover the life path number — a core numerological indicator of personality, purpose and destiny.

First name
Middle name (optional)
Last name
Date of birth
7
Life path number

How we calculated this
Kali is a beautiful choice.
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