Kartini
/K-AA-R-T-IH-N-IH/
Derived from the Javanese and Sanskrit root kartika (कार्त्तिक), meaning the month of Kartik (the bright autumn month in the Hindu lunar calendar associated with light and new beginnings) or more broadly radiant, auspicious star — the name shares its root with the Pleiades star cluster called Kartika in Sanskrit. It was borne by Raden Adjeng Kartini (1879–1904), whose letters advocating education for Javanese women made her the founding figure of the Indonesian women's emancipation movement.
See Kartini scored for your familyQuick — what every parent wants to know about Kartini:
Yes — Kartini is a Muslim girl name of Indonesian origin, meaning “Derived from the Javanese and Sanskrit root kartika (कार्त्तिक), meaning the month of Kartik (the bright autumn month in the Hindu lunar calendar associated with light and new beginnings) or more broadly radiant, auspicious star — the name shares its root with the Pleiades star cluster called Kartika in Sanskrit. It was borne by Raden Adjeng Kartini (1879–1904), whose letters advocating education for Javanese women made her the founding figure of the Indonesian women's emancipation movement.”.
How well does Kartini fit your family?
This page tells you what Kartini means. The app tells you whether it's right for your baby — scored against the names already in your family, your heritage, and your baby's exact birth star.
Unlock Kartini's score — free
Six signals — scored for your family, not in the abstract:
Meaning & origin
Kartini is a girl's name of Indonesian origin, traditionally used in Muslim families. The name means "Derived from the Javanese and Sanskrit root kartika (कार्त्तिक), meaning the month of Kartik (the bright autumn month in the Hindu lunar calendar associated with light and new beginnings) or more broadly radiant, auspicious star — the name shares its root with the Pleiades star cluster called Kartika in Sanskrit. It was borne by Raden Adjeng Kartini (1879–1904), whose letters advocating education for Javanese women made her the founding figure of the Indonesian women's emancipation movement." and belongs to the Light cluster — names meaning radiance, illumination, and hope.
Common among Indonesian, Javanese, Singaporean families, Kartini carries cultural weight that goes beyond its dictionary definition — it's a name with a story and a community.
What would a baby named Kartini look like?
NameRoot imagines a one-of-a-kind AI baby portrait for every name, shaped by its heritage — the features, the colouring, the feeling a name like Kartini carries. No two are alike.
See Kartini's portrait — and its full score — the moment you open the app.
See Kartini's baby portrait →What does Kartini's numerology say?
Numerology assigns each name a single-digit destiny number by summing its letter values. Different schools use different mappings — NameRoot computes both so you can see how Kartini resonates in either tradition.
Kartini's destiny number is 1 — but a number only matters in context. The app matches it to your family's own numbers for a real compatibility read. See Kartini's full reading →
Does Kartini go with your family's names?
Kartini breaks into 7 sounds: /K-AA-R-T-IH-N-IH/. The real test isn't how it sounds alone — it's how it sounds beside the names already in your family: yours, your partner's, and any brothers or sisters. NameRoot scores that harmony, so Kartini sits naturally next to a Mum and Dad like Michael & Anna, or a big sister named Gianna — no awkward clashes, no two names that blur together. Hear Kartini beside your family's names →
Names similar to Kartini
If Kartini resonates with you, these names live in the same world — drawn from the same tradition, sharing the same meaning, or echoing a similar sound.
From the same tradition
Other Muslim girl names, common in Indonesian families
Sharing the same meaning
Other Muslim girl names from the Light cluster
Names that sound similar
Muslim girl names that open with the same syllables as Kartini
Explore more names
Keep exploring names like Kartini — by tradition, by meaning, or by first letter.
Common questions about Kartini
What does the name Kartini mean?
Kartini means "Derived from the Javanese and Sanskrit root kartika (कार्त्तिक), meaning the month of Kartik (the bright autumn month in the Hindu lunar calendar associated with light and new beginnings) or more broadly radiant, auspicious star — the name shares its root with the Pleiades star cluster called Kartika in Sanskrit. It was borne by Raden Adjeng Kartini (1879–1904), whose letters advocating education for Javanese women made her the founding figure of the Indonesian women's emancipation movement.." It is a girl name of Indonesian origin, traditionally used in Muslim families.
Is Kartini a boy or girl name?
Kartini is most commonly used as a girl name.
What is the origin of the name Kartini?
Kartini is of Indonesian origin, used in Muslim tradition, commonly among Indonesian, Javanese, Singaporean families.
Is Kartini a Muslim name?
Yes. Kartini is a girl name traditionally used in Muslim families, of Indonesian origin.
What does Kartini mean in Indonesian?
Kartini originates from Indonesian, where it means "Derived from the Javanese and Sanskrit root kartika (कार्त्तिक), meaning the month of Kartik (the bright autumn month in the Hindu lunar calendar associated with light and new beginnings) or more broadly radiant, auspicious star — the name shares its root with the Pleiades star cluster called Kartika in Sanskrit. It was borne by Raden Adjeng Kartini (1879–1904), whose letters advocating education for Javanese women made her the founding figure of the Indonesian women's emancipation movement.."
What is the numerology of Kartini?
Kartini has a Pythagorean destiny number of 1 — leadership and pioneering spirit.
See how Kartini scores for your family
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