Any person who is very dear to people in general is called a popular man.

As for Krsna's popularity, there is a statement in the First Canto, 11th Chapter, 8th verse, of Srimad-Bhagavatam that deals with His returning home from the capital of Hastinapur. While He had been absent from Dvaraka at the Battle of Kuruksetra, all the citizens of Dvaraka had become morose. Then, when He returned, the citizens joyfully received Him and said, "Dear Lord, while You were absent from the city, we passed our days in the darkness of night. As in the darkness of night every moment appears to be a long duration of time, so while You were gone every moment appeared to us like millions of years. Your separation is completely unbearable to us." This statement shows how popular Krsna was all over the country.

A similar incident occurred when Krsna entered the arena of sacrifice, arranged by King Kamsa for His death. As soon as He entered the place, all the sages began to cry, "Jai! Jai! Jai!" (which means "Victory!"). Krsna was a boy at that time, and all the sages offered their respectful blessings to Him. The demigods who were present also began to offer beautiful prayers to Krsna. And the ladies and girls present expressed their joy from all corners of the arena. In other words, there was no one in that particular place with whom Krsna was not very popular.