Karthikeya

“The son of Lord Shiva; a god of war.” — Associated with victory and strength

India origin · Boy name

♂ 97% boys♀ 3% girls

#4279US 2023

25Births / yr

↑Rising

260All-time births

📅 Since 200400

What does Karthikeya mean and where does it come from?

Karthikeya (कार्तिकेय) is a prominent name in Hindu mythology, referring to a deity known as the God of War and the son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. He is often depicted riding a peacock and is associated with victory and strength. The worship of Karthikeya is especially common in South India,

Cultural significance

Karthikeya has been a cherished name across cultures, particularly in India-speaking communities, where it reflects values of the son of lord shiva; a god of war..

Peak popularity

Reached #3046 in 2016 — currently #4279 in the US.

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What middle names flow best with Karthikeya?

Karthikeya works best with short, strong middle names — one or two syllables keep the full name from becoming a mouthful

Karthikeya Grace

How popular is Karthikeya right now?

Rising fast — up 2038 spots — currently #4279 in the US out of 135.5k tracked names

US Trend 2010–2023#4279 · Top 3.2%

2010

2015

2020

2021

2022

2023

Year	US Rank	Births	vs Prior Year
2023	#4279	25	▲ up 2038 · +79% births
2022	#6317	14	▼ down 1294 · -26% births
2021	#5023	19	▲ up 120 · +6% births
2020	#5143	18	▼ down 874 · -25% births
2015	#4269	24	▲ up 3243 · +118% births
2010	#7512	11	—

Name Popularity Timeline

Popularity Statistics for Karthikeya

Best Year2015Rank #4269

Peak Count25

Average Rank#5424

Current Trend↗Rising

Data Range2010 - 20236 years

The story of Karthikeya

Karthikeya is a relatively modern name, first appearing in US records in 2004. With 260 total births recorded, Karthikeya remains relatively uncommon. The name has grown more popular over time, rising from #7512 in 2010 to #4279 in 2023.

Names that peaked alongside Karthikeya in 2016:

Noah Liam William Mason James

Karthikeya by decade

Karthikeya peaked in the 2010s. See all 2010s names →

Decade	Births
2000s	34
2010s ★	208
2020s	18

💎Karthikeya has only 260 total recorded births since 2004 — rarer than 99% of names in our database.

What are good nicknames for Karthikeya?

Common

KarKaEya

What names sound and feel like Karthikeya?

Based on sound, origin, and style — parents who love Karthikeya also consider these

India · Absolute, ultimate liberation

Aprameya

India · Incomparable

Kavya

India · poetry, literary work

Kanya

India · a young girl

Ameya

India · Boundless, Limitless

Common questions about the name Karthikeya

What does the name Karthikeya mean?

Karthikeya means "The son of Lord Shiva; a god of war." — a name rooted in India tradition that carries both historical depth and timeless appeal. The meaning reflects values that have made this name endure across generations.

How popular is the name Karthikeya?

Karthikeya is currently a distinctive and less common name as a boy name in the US and is rapidly gaining popularity — searches for Karthikeya have increased significantly in recent years.

What is the cultural origin of Karthikeya?

Karthikeya originates from India tradition. India names tend to carry strong cultural heritage and have spread across the world through migration, literature, and religion over centuries.

What sibling names go well with Karthikeya?

Karthikeya pairs beautifully with sibling names that share a similar India heritage or complement its melodic and flowing sound. Names with a similar vibe create a cohesive sibling set without matching too closely.

Is Karthikeya trending right now?

Karthikeya is currently on the rise — it has gained significant momentum in recent years as parents discover its appeal.