Boy · Sanskrit · Hindu
Muralidhar
मुरलीधरSay it moo-ra-lee-DHUR
- Meaning today
- Holder of the flute, Lord Krishna
- Original meaning
- "holder of the flute (muralī + dhara), a title of Krishna" Monier-Williams, p. 823, 510
- Say it
- moo-ra-lee-DHUR
- Written
- मुरलीधर
- Other spellings
- Murlidhar, Muralidhara
Muralidhar
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Muralidhar meaning
Muralidhar (मुरलीधर) is a Hindu boy's name of Sanskrit origin.
Holder of the flute (muralī + dhara), a title of Krishna
Also used to mean: Lord Krishna
Muralidhar (मुरलीधर) joins Sanskrit muralī, "a flute", and dhara, "holding, bearing", so it means "the one who holds the flute". It is a devotional title of Krishna, who is pictured playing his flute to the cows and the gopis of Vrindavan, and it appears in countless bhajans. Monier-Williams records both parts but not the compound itself. Name lists give "holder of the flute" or "Lord Krishna". The spelling Murlidhar is usual in the North. Baba Amte, the social worker who cared for people with leprosy, was born Murlidhar Devidas Amte.
Source: Monier-Williams, Sanskrit–English Dictionary (1899), p. 823, 510 · entry muralī; dhara · See the entry · checked 25 Oct 2026
References: Monier-Williams, muralī, p. 823 · Monier-Williams, dhara, p. 510 · Wikipedia, Baba Amte
Famous namesakes
- Baba Amte (Murlidhar Devidas Amte), social worker
Fits your syllable
First sound मु
Magha nakshatra, pada 3 · Simha rashi
This exact sound isn't in the table; the closest is मू, which differs only in vowel length. North Indian table. Tables vary by region and family tradition, so confirm with your priest.
Spellings
Muralidhar · Murlidhar · Muralidhara