Kelzang

Kelzang is a Tibetan given name widely used in Tibetan-speaking communities. It is commonly transliterated as Kelsang or Kelzang and appears in historical and contemporary contexts. The name is typically masculine and is associated with Buddhist culture, though it is not exclusive to monastic settings.

The name derives from Tibetan roots that convey virtuous conduct or goodness; in Buddhist usage it is often taken to signify ethical aspiration or noble character. Variants and compound forms appear in many Tibetan names, and Kelzang may be found both as a standalone given name and as part of longer honorifics.

Notable bearers include Kelzang Gyatso, the 7th Dalai Lama, a major religious and political figure in Tibetan history. Geshe Kelsang Gyatso (1931–2020) was a prominent Tibetan Buddhist teacher and founder of the Kadampa tradition, and his use of the name contributed to its visibility in modern Buddhist circles.

Today, Kelzang remains a common given name among monks, lamas, and laypeople in Tibet, Mongolia, Bhutan, and the Tibetan diaspora communities, reflecting ongoing cultural and religious ties across the Buddhist world.