Find out how popular the first name Gouri has been for the last 12 years (from 2004 to 2015) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Gouri by gender

Based on the last 12 years of data, Gouri is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 2015, there were 5 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Gouri.

The history of the first name Gouri

The name Gouri has its origins in Sanskrit, an ancient Indo-Aryan language from the Indian subcontinent. The name is derived from the Sanskrit word 'gouri' which means 'fair complexioned' or 'radiant'. It is believed to have been in use since ancient times, with its earliest known references dating back to the Vedic period (1500 BC - 500 BC).

In Hindu mythology, Gouri is one of the names of the goddess Parvati, the consort of Lord Shiva. She is often depicted as a beautiful and radiant deity, which aligns with the meaning of the name. The name is also associated with the Hindu festival of Gouri Tritiya, celebrated in honor of Parvati.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Gouri is found in the ancient Indian epic, the Mahabharata. In the epic, Gouri is mentioned as the name of a princess from the Kingdom of Virata. The name has also been mentioned in various Hindu scriptures and religious texts over the centuries.

Throughout history, several notable figures have borne the name Gouri. One of the most famous was Gouri Devi (1835-1905), an Indian poet and writer from Bengal. She was a pioneer of the Bengali language renaissance and contributed significantly to the growth of Bengali literature.

Another prominent figure was Gouri Parvathi Kurup (1904-1993), an Indian social reformer and women's rights activist from Kerala. She played a crucial role in the establishment of the Nair Service Society, an organization dedicated to the upliftment of the Nair community.

In the field of arts, Gouri Amma (1245-1368) was a renowned Indian classical dancer and composer from the Vijayanagara Empire. She is credited with contributing to the development of the Bharatanatyam dance form.

Gouri Devi (1625-1675) was a Sufi poet and mystic from the Mughal Empire. Her poetic works, which often explored themes of divine love and spirituality, are still studied and revered today.

Gouri Lankesh (1962-2017) was an Indian journalist and social activist from Karnataka. She was known for her outspoken views and advocacy for secularism and freedom of the press, and was tragically assassinated in 2017.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Gouri was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Gouri, please contact us.

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