Kajal first name popularity, history and meaning

Find out how popular the first name Kajal has been for the last 32 years (from 1978 to 2009) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Meaning of Kajal

A feminine name of Hindi origin meaning "kajal", a cosmetic used to darken eyelids.

Popularity of Kajal by gender

Based on the last 32 years of data, Kajal is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 2009, there were 7 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Kajal.

Year Male Count Female Count
2009 0 7
2008 0 6
2007 0 5
2006 0 8
2005 0 7
2004 0 11
2003 0 6
2002 0 12
2001 0 14
2000 0 15
1999 0 24
1998 0 34
1997 0 35
1996 0 36
1995 0 33
1994 0 23
1993 0 8
1992 0 8
1991 0 5
1988 0 8
1987 0 7
1986 0 10
1984 0 9
1983 0 8
1982 0 5
1981 0 7
1979 0 9
1978 0 9

The history of the first name Kajal

The name Kajal has its origins in the Sanskrit language of ancient India. It is derived from the Sanskrit word 'kajjala', which means 'collyrium' or 'kohl' - a black eye cosmetic traditionally used in the Indian subcontinent. The name emerged during the Vedic period, with references found in several Hindu scriptures and ancient texts.

One of the earliest recorded mentions of the name Kajal can be found in the Mahabharata, a revered Hindu epic dated between the 8th and 9th centuries BCE. In this text, Kajal is described as a powerful and virtuous warrior princess, renowned for her bravery and beauty. The name gained further prominence during the Gupta Empire (320-550 CE), when it was frequently bestowed upon noblewomen and royalty.

Throughout Indian history, several notable individuals have borne the name Kajal. One of the most celebrated was Kajal Devi, a 16th-century Rajput queen renowned for her patronage of the arts and her philanthropic endeavors. Another prominent figure was Kajal Rani, a 17th-century Maratha warrior queen who led her armies in several successful battles against the Mughal Empire.

In the realm of literature, Kajal Lakshmi was a revered 12th-century Sanskrit poet and scholar, credited with numerous works on philosophy and aesthetics. Her magnum opus, the Kajal Shastra, is considered a seminal text on the art of applying eye makeup and its symbolic significance in Hindu culture.

More recently, Kajal Aggarwal, born in 1985, is a celebrated Indian actress who has starred in numerous Bollywood and regional language films. She is widely regarded as a style icon and has been praised for her philanthropic work, particularly in supporting education and women's empowerment initiatives.

While the name Kajal has ancient roots in Indian culture, it has also gained popularity in other parts of the world, transcending cultural and linguistic boundaries. Its enduring appeal can be attributed to its melodic quality and its association with beauty, strength, and grace – traits embodied by the many remarkable individuals who have borne this name throughout history.

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 Kajal was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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"Kajal first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on June 6, 2025. http://namecensus.com/first-names/kajal-meaning-and-history/.

"Kajal first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/first-names/kajal-meaning-and-history/. Accessed 6 June, 2025

Kajal first name popularity, history and meaning. NameCensus.com. Retrieved from http://namecensus.com/first-names/kajal-meaning-and-history/.

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