108 Names of Vishnu with Meaning

What 108 names of Vishnu means

The 108 names of Vishnu are chanted on Thursdays, on every Ekadashi and during Satyanarayan katha, each name offered with a tulsi leaf. They draw on the avatars, the weapons he holds and his promise to return whenever dharma weakens.

Each name has its own page with meaning, numerology (ank jyotish) and story.

Chant on Thursday, with tulsi, panchamrit and yellow sweets.

How to chant 108 names of Vishnu

Here is the simple traditional way families approach 108 names of Vishnu, step by step, so you can follow it at home without pressure.

1. Bathe and sit in a clean place
2. Light a lamp before the deity
3. Remember Ganesha first
4. Chant the name with Om before and Namah after
5. End with a prayer for forgiveness and share prasad

Vishnu ke 108 naam

Har naam Lord Vishnu ka ek gun batata hai. Thursday ko subah ya shaam deepak jala kar naam ka jaap karein. Arth samajh kar bolne se mann shaant hota hai.

People phrase it many ways: vishnu names, vishnu ashtottara shatanamavali, vishnu ke 108 naam, vishnu names for baby. All of these point to the same reading, and this page answers them together.

What you may be feeling about 108 names of vishnu

If you came to 108 names of vishnu hoping for good news, that hope deserves respect. Maybe you came here because a name of God is close to your heart, you want to chant it daily, or you are thinking of it for your baby. Wanting a sign that life is about to open up is one of the oldest and most human feelings there is, and it is the reason families have looked at the sky for thousands of years.

If 108 names of vishnu is making you uneasy, that is valid too. Or maybe you worry that you will say it wrongly, or that a name chosen without full knowledge brings bad luck. You are not being silly or superstitious. When a word like this enters a family conversation, it is natural for the heart to tighten and for the mind to ask what it means for the people you love.

Our tradition takes both feelings seriously. Tradition is gentle here. The Puranas say a name of God remembered with love purifies, even when it is said imperfectly, as the story of Ajamila shows. So whatever you are feeling right now, our elders felt it too and wrote about it.

The same tradition then softens the first reaction. So the meaning matters more than perfect sound. Learn what the name says, say it with attention, and let it become a quiet companion. A single factor in a chart, a calendar or a name describes a theme to work with, not a sentence that is already written. Effort, timing, good company and a calm mind shape how it unfolds.

So hold the feeling gently, and then look at the whole picture. That is where one word turns into a clear, hopeful direction, and it is exactly what a personal reading is for.

Why 108 names of vishnu still matter

The 108 names of Vishnu are chanted on Thursdays, on every Ekadashi and during Satyanarayan katha, each name offered with a tulsi leaf. They draw on the avatars, the weapons he holds and his promise to return whenever dharma weakens.

Each name has its own page with meaning, numerology (ank jyotish) and story.

Chant on Thursday, with tulsi, panchamrit and yellow sweets.

• Vishnu: vishnu means the all pervading. It is name 1 in our list of the 108 names of Lord Vishnu.
• Narayana: narayana means refuge of all beings. It is name 2 in our list of the 108 names of Lord Vishnu.
• Keshava: keshava means with beautiful hair. It is name 3 in our list of the 108 names of Lord Vishnu.
• Madhava: madhava means lord of Lakshmi. It is name 4 in our list of the 108 names of Lord Vishnu.
• Govinda: govinda means protector of cows. It is name 5 in our list of the 108 names of Lord Vishnu.
• Madhusudana: madhusudana means slayer of Madhu. It is name 6 in our list of the 108 names of Lord Vishnu.
• Trivikrama: trivikrama means who took three steps. It is name 7 in our list of the 108 names of Lord Vishnu.
• Vamana: vamana means the dwarf avatar. It is name 8 in our list of the 108 names of Lord Vishnu.
• Shridhara: shridhara means bearer of Lakshmi. It is name 9 in our list of the 108 names of Lord Vishnu.
• Hrishikesha: hrishikesha means lord of the senses. It is name 10 in our list of the 108 names of Lord Vishnu.
• Padmanabha: padmanabha means lotus naveled. It is name 11 in our list of the 108 names of Lord Vishnu.
• Damodara: damodara means bound by a rope at the waist. It is name 12 in our list of the 108 names of Lord Vishnu.
• Sankarshana: sankarshana means who draws together. It is name 13 in our list of the 108 names of Lord Vishnu.
• Vasudeva: vasudeva means dwelling in all. It is name 14 in our list of the 108 names of Lord Vishnu.
• Pradyumna: pradyumna means the most radiant. It is name 15 in our list of the 108 names of Lord Vishnu.
• Aniruddha: aniruddha means the unstoppable. It is name 16 in our list of the 108 names of Lord Vishnu.
• Purushottama: purushottama means the supreme person. It is name 17 in our list of the 108 names of Lord Vishnu.
• Adhokshaja: adhokshaja means beyond the senses. It is name 18 in our list of the 108 names of Lord Vishnu.
• Narasimha: narasimha means the man lion. It is name 19 in our list of the 108 names of Lord Vishnu.
• Achyuta: achyuta means the infallible. It is name 20 in our list of the 108 names of Lord Vishnu.
• Janardana: janardana means who protects people. It is name 21 in our list of the 108 names of Lord Vishnu.
• Upendra: upendra means younger brother of Indra. It is name 22 in our list of the 108 names of Lord Vishnu.
• Hari: hari means who takes away sorrow. It is name 23 in our list of the 108 names of Lord Vishnu.
• Jagannatha: jagannatha means lord of the universe. It is name 24 in our list of the 108 names of Lord Vishnu.
• Vaikunthanatha: vaikunthanatha means lord of Vaikuntha. It is name 25 in our list of the 108 names of Lord Vishnu.
• Chakrapani: chakrapani means holder of the discus. It is name 26 in our list of the 108 names of Lord Vishnu.
• Gadadhara: gadadhara means holder of the mace. It is name 27 in our list of the 108 names of Lord Vishnu.
• Shankhabhrit: shankhabhrit means holder of the conch. It is name 28 in our list of the 108 names of Lord Vishnu.
• Sharngadhanva: sharngadhanva means holder of the Sharnga bow. It is name 29 in our list of the 108 names of Lord Vishnu.
• Garudadhvaja: garudadhvaja means whose banner is Garuda. It is name 30 in our list of the 108 names of Lord Vishnu.
• Lakshmipati: lakshmipati means husband of Lakshmi. It is name 31 in our list of the 108 names of Lord Vishnu.
• Ananta: ananta means the endless. It is name 32 in our list of the 108 names of Lord Vishnu.
• Anantashayana: anantashayana means resting on Ananta. It is name 33 in our list of the 108 names of Lord Vishnu.
• Shripati: shripati means lord of fortune. It is name 34 in our list of the 108 names of Lord Vishnu.
• Kamalakanta: kamalakanta means beloved of Kamala. It is name 35 in our list of the 108 names of Lord Vishnu.
• Pundarikaksha: pundarikaksha means lotus eyed. It is name 36 in our list of the 108 names of Lord Vishnu.
• Mukunda: mukunda means giver of liberation. It is name 37 in our list of the 108 names of Lord Vishnu.
• Varaha: varaha means the boar avatar. It is name 38 in our list of the 108 names of Lord Vishnu.
• Matsya: matsya means the fish avatar. It is name 39 in our list of the 108 names of Lord Vishnu.
• Kurma: kurma means the tortoise avatar. It is name 40 in our list of the 108 names of Lord Vishnu.
• Parashurama: parashurama means Rama with the axe. It is name 41 in our list of the 108 names of Lord Vishnu.
• Raghava: raghava means of the Raghu line. It is name 42 in our list of the 108 names of Lord Vishnu.
• Balarama: balarama means the strong Rama. It is name 43 in our list of the 108 names of Lord Vishnu.
• Kalki: kalki means the coming avatar. It is name 44 in our list of the 108 names of Lord Vishnu.
• Jagatpati: jagatpati means lord of the world. It is name 45 in our list of the 108 names of Lord Vishnu.
• Sarveshwara: sarveshwara means lord of all. It is name 46 in our list of the 108 names of Lord Vishnu.
• Bhaktavatsala: bhaktavatsala means loving to devotees. It is name 47 in our list of the 108 names of Lord Vishnu.
• Dinabandhu: dinabandhu means friend of the humble. It is name 48 in our list of the 108 names of Lord Vishnu.
• Sanatana: sanatana means the eternal. It is name 49 in our list of the 108 names of Lord Vishnu.
• Avyaya: avyaya means the imperishable. It is name 50 in our list of the 108 names of Lord Vishnu.
• Sahasrashirsha: sahasrashirsha means thousand headed. It is name 51 in our list of the 108 names of Lord Vishnu.
• Sahasraksha: sahasraksha means thousand eyed. It is name 52 in our list of the 108 names of Lord Vishnu.
• Sahasrapat: sahasrapat means thousand footed. It is name 53 in our list of the 108 names of Lord Vishnu.
• Vishvarupa: vishvarupa means whose form is the universe. It is name 54 in our list of the 108 names of Lord Vishnu.
• Vishvatma: vishvatma means soul of the universe. It is name 55 in our list of the 108 names of Lord Vishnu.
• Bhutabhavana: bhutabhavana means creator of beings. It is name 56 in our list of the 108 names of Lord Vishnu.
• Bhutabhrit: bhutabhrit means sustainer of beings. It is name 57 in our list of the 108 names of Lord Vishnu.
• Prabhu: prabhu means the lord. It is name 58 in our list of the 108 names of Lord Vishnu.
• Ishwara: ishwara means the controller. It is name 59 in our list of the 108 names of Lord Vishnu.
• Yajneshwara: yajneshwara means lord of sacrifice. It is name 60 in our list of the 108 names of Lord Vishnu.
• Yajnapurusha: yajnapurusha means person of sacrifice. It is name 61 in our list of the 108 names of Lord Vishnu.
• Vedavedya: vedavedya means known through the Vedas. It is name 62 in our list of the 108 names of Lord Vishnu.
• Shashvata: shashvata means the permanent. It is name 63 in our list of the 108 names of Lord Vishnu.
• Shubhanga: shubhanga means of auspicious form. It is name 64 in our list of the 108 names of Lord Vishnu.
• Lokanatha: lokanatha means lord of the worlds. It is name 65 in our list of the 108 names of Lord Vishnu.
• Venkatesha: venkatesha means lord of Venkata hill. It is name 66 in our list of the 108 names of Lord Vishnu.
• Srinivasa: srinivasa means abode of Lakshmi. It is name 67 in our list of the 108 names of Lord Vishnu.
• Ranganatha: ranganatha means lord of the stage. It is name 68 in our list of the 108 names of Lord Vishnu.
• Vitthala: vitthala means who stands on a brick. It is name 69 in our list of the 108 names of Lord Vishnu.
• Hayagriva: hayagriva means horse necked. It is name 70 in our list of the 108 names of Lord Vishnu.
• Dhanvantari: dhanvantari means the divine healer. It is name 71 in our list of the 108 names of Lord Vishnu.
• Mohini: mohini means the enchantress form. It is name 72 in our list of the 108 names of Lord Vishnu.
• Kapila: kapila means the sage avatar. It is name 73 in our list of the 108 names of Lord Vishnu.
• Rishabha: rishabha means the noble one. It is name 74 in our list of the 108 names of Lord Vishnu.
• Prithu: prithu means the broad. It is name 75 in our list of the 108 names of Lord Vishnu.
• Hamsa: hamsa means the swan. It is name 76 in our list of the 108 names of Lord Vishnu.
• Yajna: yajna means sacrifice itself. It is name 77 in our list of the 108 names of Lord Vishnu.
• Vyasa: vyasa means compiler of the Vedas. It is name 78 in our list of the 108 names of Lord Vishnu.
• Nara: nara means the eternal man. It is name 79 in our list of the 108 names of Lord Vishnu.
• Dhruvavarada: dhruvavarada means boon giver to Dhruva. It is name 80 in our list of the 108 names of Lord Vishnu.
• Gajendravarada: gajendravarada means saviour of Gajendra. It is name 81 in our list of the 108 names of Lord Vishnu.
• Prahladavarada: prahladavarada means protector of Prahlad. It is name 82 in our list of the 108 names of Lord Vishnu.
• Shantakara: shantakara means of peaceful form. It is name 83 in our list of the 108 names of Lord Vishnu.
• Bhujagashayana: bhujagashayana means resting on the serpent. It is name 84 in our list of the 108 names of Lord Vishnu.
• Meghashyama: meghashyama means dark as rain clouds. It is name 85 in our list of the 108 names of Lord Vishnu.
• Pitambara: pitambara means clad in yellow. It is name 86 in our list of the 108 names of Lord Vishnu.
• Vanamali: vanamali means wearing a forest garland. It is name 87 in our list of the 108 names of Lord Vishnu.
• Kaustubhadhara: kaustubhadhara means wearer of the Kaustubha gem. It is name 88 in our list of the 108 names of Lord Vishnu.
• Shrivatsalanchana: shrivatsalanchana means marked with Shrivatsa. It is name 89 in our list of the 108 names of Lord Vishnu.
• Kshirabdhishayi: kshirabdhishayi means resting on the milk ocean. It is name 90 in our list of the 108 names of Lord Vishnu.
• Sudarshanadhara: sudarshanadhara means holder of Sudarshana. It is name 91 in our list of the 108 names of Lord Vishnu.
• Panchajanyadhara: panchajanyadhara means holder of Panchajanya. It is name 92 in our list of the 108 names of Lord Vishnu.
• Kaumodakidhara: kaumodakidhara means holder of the Kaumodaki mace. It is name 93 in our list of the 108 names of Lord Vishnu.
• Nandakadhara: nandakadhara means holder of the Nandaka sword. It is name 94 in our list of the 108 names of Lord Vishnu.
• Satyanarayana: satyanarayana means Narayana as truth. It is name 95 in our list of the 108 names of Lord Vishnu.
• Lokabandhu: lokabandhu means friend of the worlds. It is name 96 in our list of the 108 names of Lord Vishnu.
• Paramatma: paramatma means the supreme soul. It is name 97 in our list of the 108 names of Lord Vishnu.
• Parabrahma: parabrahma means the supreme reality. It is name 98 in our list of the 108 names of Lord Vishnu.
• Satyasandha: satyasandha means true to his word. It is name 99 in our list of the 108 names of Lord Vishnu.
• Sharanagatavatsala: sharanagatavatsala means protector of those who surrender. It is name 100 in our list of the 108 names of Lord Vishnu.
• Mahavishnu: mahavishnu means the great Vishnu. It is name 101 in our list of the 108 names of Lord Vishnu.
• Dharmagopta: dharmagopta means guardian of dharma. It is name 102 in our list of the 108 names of Lord Vishnu.
• Amrita: amrita means the immortal. It is name 103 in our list of the 108 names of Lord Vishnu.
• Vishvambhara: vishvambhara means bearer of the universe. It is name 104 in our list of the 108 names of Lord Vishnu.
• Kshetrajna: kshetrajna means knower of the field. It is name 105 in our list of the 108 names of Lord Vishnu.
• Sarvajna: sarvajna means all knowing. It is name 106 in our list of the 108 names of Lord Vishnu.
• Shrinatha: shrinatha means lord of Shri. It is name 107 in our list of the 108 names of Lord Vishnu.
• Devesha: devesha means lord of the gods. It is name 108 in our list of the 108 names of Lord Vishnu.
• Jalashayi: jalashayi means resting on the waters. It is name 109 in our list of the 108 names of Lord Vishnu.

Where 108 names of vishnu leads on KismatAstro

This page gathers every name of Vishnu on KismatAstro. Start with Vishnu, Narayana, Keshava, then follow the links inside each story.

Every name here tells part of the story in the Lord Vishnu guide. After chanting 108 names of vishnu, many families read one of the chalisas for the same deity. End your chanting of 108 names of vishnu with the aarti of the same deity.

Stories like this are why families still look for a good day before a new step. You can see today's timings in the free name numerology (naam ka ank jyotish) calculator, and plan ahead with festival dates (tyohar kab hai).

What the old texts and scholars say

Our retelling follows the ashtottara shatanamavali of Lord Vishnu in the Puranic and stotra tradition. Versions differ by region and family, and every one of them is treated with respect here.

If you would like to read further, Britannica's entry on Vishnu gives a clear, well sourced overview: Britannica's entry on Vishnu.

For a second view, see Hinduism portal on Wikisource, which keeps public domain translations.

A gentle seven day practice inspired by 108 names of vishnu

You do not need a big ritual. These small steps keep the story alive in daily life, and none of them cost money.

1. Day 1: read the meaning of the name
2. Day 2: chant it 11 times at sunrise
3. Day 3: read the deity's story
4. Day 4: chant it 108 times on a mala
5. Day 5: offer a flower or a lamp
6. Day 6: share the meaning with family
7. Day 7: notice what has changed in your mind

When and how to chant 108 names of Vishnu

Here are the 108 names of Lord Vishnu, the ashtottara shatanamavali chanted on Thursday, each with its meaning, name number (naam ka ank) and how to chant it. Families usually chant it on Thursday, at sunrise or at lamp time. There is no single correct clock time in the old texts; what matters is a calm mind, a clean place and attention. If you are new to it, start with the short version and add more as it becomes a habit.

Many readers ask whether they must follow every step exactly. Tradition answers kindly: the 108 names of Vishnu are chanted on Thursdays, on every Ekadashi and during Satyanarayan katha, each name offered with a tulsi leaf. They draw on the avatars, the weapons he holds and his promise to return whenever dharma weakens. A sincere attempt done with love is complete, and a missed detail is never a cause for fear. Elders often say that the practice shapes the person more than the person perfects the practice.

Common worries about 108 names of Vishnu, answered gently

These are the questions families send us most often. Each worry is real, and each has a calm, traditional answer.

• I am not sure I pronounce the name correctly. Say it slowly with its meaning in mind. Tradition says the feeling reaches before the sound.
• I chose this name for my baby without checking anything. A name of God carries a good meaning. If you want comfort, check the name number (naam ka ank) with the free calculator; there is nothing to fear.
• I missed my daily chanting. Begin again the next day. No missed day erases earlier devotion.
• I do not have a mala. Count on your fingers, or simply chant for two minutes. The count is a help, not a condition.
• Something hard happened after I started chanting. Hard times come to everyone and are not a punishment for prayer. Keep the name as a support, and seek practical help too.

108 names of Vishnu across India

In North India the names of Vishnu are chanted in Sanskrit with Hindi meanings, often in a group after aarti. In Maharashtra and Gujarat the same ashtottara is sung with local tunes, and in the South it is recited in temples with a flower for each name.

Bengal and Odisha families chant with a conch and a lamp. Overseas families in Dubai, London or Toronto keep the same names at a small home altar, sometimes reading them from a phone.

Whichever version your family follows, it is valid. KismatAstro tells the commonly shared form and respects every regional and family custom.

108 names of Vishnu and your rashi

Every rashi can chant 108 names of Vishnu. Astrology (jyotish) adds only a gentle flavour, a way to make the practice feel more personal. If you know your Moon sign (chandra rashi), find it below. If not, the free moon sign (chandra rashi) calculator tells you in a minute.

• Mesh: your rashi brings fire and quick devotion; keep it short and heartfelt.
• Vrishabh: your rashi loves steady ritual; the same time each day suits you.
• Mithun: your rashi connects through words; reading the meaning aloud helps.
• Kark: your rashi feels it deeply; doing it with family comforts you.
• Simha: your rashi shines with confidence; lead the family in it.
• Kanya: your rashi values precision; the step by step order calms you.
• Tula: your rashi seeks balance; doing it with your partner suits you.
• Vrishchik: your rashi goes deep; quiet evening practice suits you.
• Dhanu: your rashi loves wisdom; read the story behind it.
• Makar: your rashi values discipline; a fixed weekly day works best.
• Kumbh: your rashi thinks of others; share prasad or help someone after.
• Meen: your rashi is naturally devotional; music and lamps lift you.

Taking 108 names of Vishnu one step further

Devotion often brings a personal question to the surface: a marriage that is taking time, a job, a child's future or simple peace at home. That is a natural moment to look at your own chart. A name you love carries a number and a planet; seeing how it sits with your own birth chart (janam kundli) turns a feeling into a clear, personal picture, whether for you or for a baby name.

Begin free with the name numerology (naam ka ank jyotish) calculator. If you would like a personal reading written from your own birth details, our reports and prices explains what each report covers, and the offer below this page shows the current price. The free content above stays free, always.

Carrying 108 names of Vishnu into your own life

108 names of Vishnu is not a test you can fail. It is a story that has comforted families for centuries, and it asks only for attention and a kind heart.

If something in it touched a hope or a worry in your own life, a marriage, a child, money or health, that is a good moment to look at your own chart calmly. The free kundli (muft janam kundli) shows it, and a personal written reading is there if you want more depth.