What does devi mean?
Devi is the Sanskrit word for 'goddess' and, in Hinduism, the name of the great mother goddess who embodies the feminine divine principle known as shakti. Rather than being a single figure with one fixed story, Devi is worshipped across India in many manifestations: as Durga the warrior who slays demons, as Kali the fierce destroyer of ignorance, as Parvati the devoted consort of Shiva, and as Lakshmi and Saraswati, bestowers of prosperity and wisdom. For many Hindus, especially within the Shakta tradition, she is not merely a consort or companion of the male gods but the supreme reality itself, the source and sustainer of the universe. The word derives from Sanskrit devī, 'goddess', which shares an ancient Indo-European root with English words like 'divine' and 'deity'. Beyond theology, 'devi' frequently appears as an element in South Asian personal names, where it serves as a respectful honorific for women. The annual festival of Navaratri, nine nights dedicated to the goddess, remains one of the most widely celebrated expressions of devotion to Devi.
nounIn Hinduism, Devi is the great mother goddess, the supreme female divine power worshipped in many forms such as Durga, Kali, and Parvati. The word can also be used more generally as a title meaning 'goddess'.
- The supreme mother goddess of Hinduism, worshipped in many manifestations such as Durga, Kali, and Parvati.
- A title or epithet meaning 'goddess', used for any divine female figure in Hindu tradition and sometimes appended to women's names as an honorific.
"During Navaratri, devotees across India honour Devi in all her forms."
"Pilgrims climbed the hill at dawn to offer prayers to Devi."
"The name Anandadevi combines the honorific 'devi' with a personal name."
Rarely needed in practice; used mainly when referring collectively to multiple goddesses or multiple women bearing the honorific.
"The scriptures speak of countless devis, each embodying a different aspect of the divine feminine."
Every major Hindu goddess — fierce Durga, dark Kali, gentle Parvati — is ultimately one figure: Devi, whose name shares an ancient root with English 'divine' and 'deity'.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of devi
The English word 'devi' comes directly from Sanskrit devī, meaning 'goddess' or 'queen', the feminine form of deva, 'god' or 'bright one'. This root reaches back to the Proto-Indo-European *deiwos, meaning 'celestial' or 'shining', which also produced the Latin deus ('god') and its English derivatives such as 'deity', 'divine', 'deify', and 'diva'. The word entered English usage through translations and scholarly writing on Hinduism during the colonial era, when accounts of Indian religion introduced terms like 'Devi' to Western readers.
How devi is actually used
The word carries reverent, religious connotations and appears mainly in discussions of Hinduism, Indian culture, and names. When capitalized as 'Devi' it refers specifically to the great goddess; lowercase 'devi' may appear as part of compound personal names in South Asia, where it functions as an honorific rather than a surname.
Easily confused with devi
'Davy' is an English given name or slang for an affidavit, whereas 'devi' is the Sanskrit term for a Hindu goddess.