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Kunal
Pronounced koo-NAHL /kuˈnɑːl/Medium
Meaning: From the Sanskrit Kunal (Kunala), understood as 'lotus' and as 'a bird with beautiful eyes.' Borne by a son of the emperor Ashoka, remembered in Buddhist tradition. A gentle, meaning-rich name.Low
Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data
U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.
SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.
History & Origin
As a boy's name Kunal comes from the Sanskrit for 'lotus; a bird with beautiful eyes,' borne by Ashoka's son Kunala. It reads gentle and meaning-rich — familiar in Indian families, rare in the U.S. (said 'koo-NAHL').
In the U.S. it appears rarely, mostly in Indian-heritage families. Rare, warm, and meaning-rich.
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Frequently Asked
What does the name Kunal mean?
Kunal is Sanskrit for 'lotus' and 'a bird with beautiful eyes'; it was borne by a son of the emperor Ashoka.
How do you pronounce Kunal?
It's said koo-NAHL /kuˈnɑːl/ — two syllables, stress on the second.
Is Kunal a boy or girl name?
Kunal is a boy's name.
How popular is Kunal?
Kunal is a rare name in the U.S., more familiar in Indian families.