Meaning and Etymology
In Sanskrit, Devaki (देवकी) is the feminine form of devaka (देवक), which itself derives from deva meaning “god” or “divine.” The name therefore conveys “divine,” “celestial,” or “she who is divine”[4]. Some Vedic texts also record a secondary sense “one who sports” or “one who plays”[4].
Origin and Language Usage
The name originates in Sanskrit, the classical language of ancient India[4]. It is traditionally associated with Hindu mythology as the mother of Lord Krishna[2]. Modern usage is recorded in several Indian languages, including Hindi, Malayalam, Kannada, Telugu, Tamil, and Sanskrit[1].
Pronunciation
Standard Sanskrit pronunciation: /ˈd̪eː.ʋɐ.kiː/ (IPA)[1].
Standard Hindi pronunciation: /d̪eːʋ.kiː/ (IPA)[3].
Spellings and Variants
Native Devanagari script: देवकी[4].
Other Indian scripts: Malayalam ദേവകി, Kannada ದೇವಕಿ, Telugu దేవకీ, Tamil தேவகி[1].
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Frequently asked questions
What does the name Devaki mean?
Devaki means “divine” or “celestial,” being the feminine form of the Sanskrit word devaka, which is derived from deva meaning “god.”[4]
In which languages is Devaki used?
The name is used in Hindi, Malayalam, Kannada, Telugu, Tamil and Sanskrit, as documented in linguistic sources on Indian names.[1]
How is Devaki pronounced in Sanskrit and Hindi?
In Sanskrit it is pronounced /ˈd̪eː.ʋɐ.kiː/ and in Hindi it is pronounced /d̪eːʋ.kiː/ (IPA).[1][3]
Related terms
References
Follow the sources to explore the evidence and context behind this article.
- Meaning, origin and history of the name Devaki - Behind the Name; https://www.behindthename.com/name/devaki
- Devaki - Wiktionary, the free dictionary; https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Devaki
- देवकी - Wiktionary, the free dictionary; https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/
- Devaki; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Devaki