Find out how popular the first name Rukmini has been for the last 32 years (from 1991 to 2022) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Rukmini by gender

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

For the most recent data in 2022, there were 6 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Rukmini.

The history of the first name Rukmini

The name Rukmini originates from Sanskrit, an ancient Indo-Aryan language that emerged in the Indian subcontinent around the 2nd millennium BCE. The name is composed of two words: "Rukma," meaning "bright" or "radiant," and "min," meaning "soft" or "tender." Thus, the name Rukmini can be interpreted as "the radiant and tender one."

Rukmini is a prominent figure in Hindu mythology, particularly in the Bhagavata Purana, one of the most revered texts of Vaishnavism. According to the epic, Rukmini was the principal wife of Lord Krishna, the eighth avatar of the Hindu god Vishnu. Their union is celebrated as a divine alliance, symbolizing the unification of the human and celestial realms.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Rukmini appears in the ancient Sanskrit text Harivamsa, which is believed to have been composed between the 3rd and 4th centuries CE. The text narrates the story of Rukmini's unconventional marriage to Lord Krishna, where she sends a love letter to him and seeks his protection from an unwanted marriage proposal.

Throughout history, several notable women have borne the name Rukmini. Queen Rukmini of Kodagu (1794-1820) was a prominent ruler of the Kodagu kingdom, now part of the Indian state of Karnataka. She is remembered for her courage and diplomatic skills in maintaining the sovereignty of her kingdom during the tumultuous period of the Anglo-Mysore Wars.

Rukmini Devi Arundale (1904-1986) was a renowned Indian dancer, choreographer, and a pivotal figure in the revival of Bharatanatyam, one of the major classical dance forms of India. She established the Kalakshetra Foundation in Chennai, which became a prominent institution for the preservation and promotion of Indian classical dance and music.

Rukmini Thayil (1853-1948), also known as Rukmini Bai, was a prominent Indian educationist and social reformer from the princely state of Travancore (now part of Kerala). She played a crucial role in establishing educational institutions for women and advocating for their empowerment and social upliftment.

Rukmini Krishnamurthy (1899-1982) was an Indian freedom fighter and social activist. She participated in the Indian independence movement and later worked towards improving the living conditions of women and children in rural areas through her organization, the Bharat Stree Mandal.

Rukmini Lakshmipathi (1917-2012) was a renowned Indian writer and literary critic, known for her contributions to Telugu literature. She received several prestigious awards, including the Jnanpith Award, India's highest literary honor, in recognition of her literary achievements.

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

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

Reference this page

We spend a lot of resources downloading, cleaning, merging, and formatting the data that is shown on the site.

If you found the data or information on this page useful in your research, please use the tool below to properly cite or reference Name Census as the source. We appreciate your support!