kesava

Kesava is a Sanskrit masculine given name and one of the epithets of the Hindu god Krishna, an avatar of Vishnu. The name is commonly interpreted as “the one with beautiful hair” from kesha (hair) with the suffix -va, and in some traditions it is linked to the myth of Krishna slaying the demon Kesin (Keshi), yielding the meaning “slayer of Kesin.” In devotional contexts, Kesava is used as a form of address to Krishna and appears in prayers and liturgical chants.

The name is widely used in India and among Hindu communities across languages such as Hindi, Kannada, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, and Bengali. It occurs in religious literature, devotional songs, and prayers dedicated to Krishna, and has also become a secular given name. In addition to individuals named Kesava, it appears in longer compound names such as Kesava Rao or Kesavan, reflecting regional naming practices.

Variants and transliterations include Keshav, Kesav, and Kesava, with regional spellings such as Kesavaiah in some South Indian languages. The name’s usage spans both traditional religious contexts and contemporary secular naming, and it is commonly found among the Indian diaspora where Krishna-centered devotion remains influential.