Gopal

Gopal is a male given name of Sanskrit origin. It is formed from go, meaning “cow,” and pala, meaning “protector” or “keeper,” yielding the sense “cow protector” or “cowherd.” The name is common in the Indian subcontinent and among South Asian communities worldwide, with wide usage in India, Nepal, and parts of Bangladesh, as well as in the diaspora.

In Hinduism, Gopala is an epithet of Krishna, highlighting his childhood role as the cowherd of Vrindavan and his care for cattle. The term appears in devotional literature, songs, and prayers, and the name is sometimes adopted to honor this aspect of Krishna or to reflect a shepherd association.

Gopal is typically used as a standalone given name, while Gopala is a variant spelling. The name also appears as part of longer compound names, such as Gopalakrishnan. Although primarily a personal name, Gopal can be found as a surname in some cases of naming traditions in the Indian subcontinent.

Notable people named Gopal have been reported across various fields, including politics, science, and the arts, reflecting the name’s broad cultural presence. See also related names such as Krishna and Govinda, and the broader pastoral and devotional contexts of the term Gopala.