As a deity name
Name 91 of the Surya Sahasranāma — Bhavishya Purana, as taught by Lord Brahma / Sages
As a Hindi name
No reading on this path — this spelling has no entry in our Hindi sources, and no near neighbour is attested there either. We say so rather than invent one.
As a Sanskrit word
Meaning
child-loving, affectionate towards offspring (ā with or scil. go or dhenu, a cow longing for her calf)
Scripturally attested Verified split — attested membersMultiple readings (6)Why this matches what you typed
M1 · same meaning "vatsalāya" is the dative of "vatsala" — the same word in a different grammatical case.
M3 · meaning shifts "vatsala" is derived from "vatsa" with the lac suffix — a related word whose meaning shifts, so both meanings are shown.
vatsa m. (prob. originally, ‘yearling’, fr. a lost word vatas) a calf, the young of any animal, offspring, child (voc. vatsa often used as a term of endearment = my dear child, my darling), RV. &c. &c.
a son, boy (see bāla-v˚)
vatsala mf(ā)n. child-loving, affectionate towards offspring (ā f. with or scil. go or dhenu, a cow longing for her calf), MBh.; R.; BhP.
kind, loving, tender, fond of or devoted to (loc. gen. acc. with prati, or comp.), MBh.; Kāv. &c.
Related forms
Dictionary citations
vatsala mf(ā)n. child-loving, affectionate towards offspring (ā f. with or scil. go or dhenu, a cow longing for her calf), MBh.; R.; BhP.
kind, loving, tender, fond of or devoted to (loc. gen. acc. with prati, or comp.), MBh.; Kāv. &c.
vatsa m. (prob. originally, ‘yearling’, fr. a lost word vatas) a calf, the young of any animal, offspring, child (voc. vatsa often used as a term of endearment = my dear child, my darling), RV. &c. &c.
a son, boy (see bāla-v˚)
Alternative readings
More than one analysis survives full verification. That ambiguity is real, so we show every reading rather than pick one silently.
Caveats
Sources contain errors and engines have limits; every claim above carries its citation so you can verify it. This is guidance about names and their sources — not religious or astrological consultation. How we work · Our sources