Kamala is a Sanskrit word meaning 'lotus'. It is used as a feminine given name in Indian culture, predominantly by Hindu families, as it is one of the names of the goddess Lakshmi, who appears from the centre of a lotus.
The masculine counterpart Kamal is a given name for Indian boys.
People
First name Kamala Bahuguna (1923–2001), Indian politician Kamala Balakrishnan (1930–2018), Indian immunologist Kamala Bhattacharya (1945–1961), Indian martyr Kamala Bose (1947–2012), Indian classical vocalist Kamala Chakravarty (born 1928), Indian classical musician and dancer Kamala Chandrakirana, Indonesian women's rights activist Kamala Devi (actress) (1933–2010), Indian actress Kamala Devi (footballer) (born 1992), Indian footballer Kamala Hampana (1935–2024), Indian writer Kamala Harris (born 1964), Vice President of the United States between 2021 and 2025, former California attorney and senator Kamala Hayman, New Zealand newspaper journalist Kamala Ibrahim Ishaq, Sudanese artist Kamala Kanta Kalita (born 1957), Indian politician Kamala Kamesh (born 1952), Indian actress Kamala Kumari Karredula, Indian politician Kamala Krishnaswamy, Indian nutritionist Kamala Kotnis, Indian actress Kamala Shirin Lakhdhir, American diplomat, ambassador to Malaysia Kamala Laxman (died 2015), Indian author of children's books Kamala Lopez, American filmmaker Kamala Markandaya (1924–2004), Indian novelist and journalist Kamala Nehru (1899–1936), wife of Indian Prime Minister Jawahar Lal Nehru Kamala Nimbkar (1900–1979), American-born occupational therapist in India Kamala Parks, American drummer, songwriter Kamala Pujari (died 2024), Indian organic agriculture promoter Kamala Ranathunga (born 1937), Sri Lankan politician Kamala Rani Balakrishnan, Singaporean criminal Kamala Roka, Nepali politician Kamala Saikhom, Indian actress Kamala Sankaran, Indian academic administrator Kamala Sankrityayan (1920–2009), Indian writer Kamala Selvaraj, Indian obstetrician and gynecologist Kamala Shankar, Indian slide guitar player Kamala Sinha (1932–2014), Indian politician Kamala Sohonie (1912–1998), Indian biochemist Kamala Surayya (1934–2009), Indian short story writer and autobiographer Kamala Todd, Canadian filmmaker
Surname Diodorus Kamala (1968–2024), Tanzanian politician Kumari Kamala (1934–2025), Indian classical dancer
Fictional characters Kamala, in the novel Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse Kamala, in "The Perfect Mate", an episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation Kamala, a main character in the comedy-drama series Never Have I Ever Kamala Khan (Ms. Marvel), a Pakistani-American superhero in Marvel Comics
Other Kamala (elephant) ( — 2024), an Asian elephant who lived at Calgary Zoo and the National Zoological Park
See also Kamela § People with the surname Kamela Komala § People with the name Komala Kamla (name), given name and surname
References