Girl · Sanskrit · Hindu
Manikarnika
मणिकर्णिकाSay it muh-ni-KAR-ni-kaa
- Meaning today
- Jewelled earring
- Original meaning
- "an ear-ornament of pearls or jewels; a sacred pool at Varanasi" Monier-Williams, p. 774
- Say it
- muh-ni-KAR-ni-kaa
- Written
- मणिकर्णिका
- Other spellings
- Manikarnica
Manikarnika
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Manikarnika meaning
Manikarnika (मणिकर्णिका) is a Hindu girl's name of Sanskrit origin.
An ear-ornament of pearls or jewels; a sacred pool at Varanasi
Also used to mean: jewelled earring
Manikarnika (मणिकर्णिका) joins Sanskrit maṇi, "jewel", and karṇa, "ear". Monier-Williams defines maṇikarṇikā as an ear-ornament made of pearls or jewels, and as the name of a sacred pool at Varanasi; the Manikarnika Ghat beside it is one of the holiest places on the Ganga. Tradition explains the name with the story of a goddess's earring falling there. The name is best known as the birth name of Rani Lakshmibai of Jhansi, born Manikarnika Tambe in Varanasi, who was called Manu as a child. The word maṇi also gives the names Mani and Manika.
Source: Monier-Williams, Sanskrit–English Dictionary (1899), p. 774 · entry maṇikarṇikā · See the entry · checked 25 Oct 2026
References: Monier-Williams, maṇikarṇikā, p. 774 · Rani of Jhansi (Wikipedia)
Famous namesakes
- Rani Lakshmibai of Jhansi, born Manikarnika Tambe
Fits your syllable
First sound म
Magha nakshatra, pada 1 · Simha rashi
This exact sound isn't in the table; the closest is मा, which differs only in vowel length. North Indian table. Tables vary by region and family tradition, so confirm with your priest.
Spellings
Manikarnika · Manikarnica