Lalita

Lalita is a feminine given name of Sanskrit origin. It derives from the word lalita, meaning charming, playful, graceful, or elegant, and is used in various Indian languages with similar meanings.

In Hinduism, Lalita refers to Lalita Tripurasundari, a key goddess in the Sri Vidya tradition and Shaktism. She is regarded as the supreme feminine principle and is associated with beauty, abundance, and spiritual awakening. The name is sometimes used to invoke her qualities in devotional contexts.

As a personal name, Lalita is common in India and among Indian expatriate communities. Variants include Lalitha, Lālita, and Lalita; the spelling Lalitha is frequent in Tamil- and Kannada-speaking regions, while Lalita is common in Hindi and Marathi contexts. Notable individuals with this name include the Indian actress Lalita Pawar (1916–2008).

Lalita appears in literature and popular culture as well, where it is used for characters, titles, and works that emphasize charm or grace. The term also appears in Sanskrit poetry to describe aesthetic or poetic play.