Kamalā
/kəˈmɑːlə/noun
A Sanskrit word meaning lotus, also used as a feminine name and as the name of a reddish-yellow dye obtained from the kamala tree.
Did you know?In Hindu tradition, Kamalā is an epithet of Lakshmi, the goddess of prosperity, who is often depicted seated on a lotus.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Sanskrit
Sanskrit
kamalā
“Lotus; pale red or reddish-yellow; an epithet associated with Lakshmi”
Classical Sanskrit
Sanskrit
kamala
“Lotus flower, water lily, or something beautiful and reddish”
Medieval Indo-Aryan
Prakrits
kamala
“Lotus; a personal or devotional name”
18th Century
Hindi/English
kamala
“A reddish-yellow powder or dye obtained from the fruit capsules of the kamala tree”
Modern English
English
kamala
“The kamala tree or its orange-red dye; Kamala/Kamalā also appears as a personal name”