Ganesh Boy
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: guh-NESH //ɡəˈnɛʃ//
Origin: Sanskrit
Meaning: Lord of the multitudes
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Ganesh is derived from the Sanskrit word "Gaṇeśa," which is a compound of "gaṇa," meaning "group" or "multitude," and "īśa," meaning "lord" or "master." This etymology reflects the name's association with the Hindu deity Ganesh, who is revered as the lord of beginnings and the remover of obstacles. The earliest references to Ganesh can be traced back to texts such as the "Ganapati Atharvasirsha," a Sanskrit scripture that dates to around the 1st millennium CE, which establishes his significance in Hindu worship and philosophy.
Historically, Ganesh's prominence grew during the Gupta period (approximately 4th to 6th centuries CE), when he became widely worshipped across various regions of India. The Puranas, ancient Hindu texts compiled between the 3rd and 10th centuries CE, further solidified his status, particularly in the "Mudgala Purana" and the "Ganesha Purana," which detail his birth, attributes, and the rituals associated with his worship.
His iconography, characterized by an elephant head and a human body, became standardized during this period, symbolizing wisdom and intellect. Culturally, Ganesh embodies various symbolic meanings, including the auspiciousness of new ventures and the importance of overcoming challenges.
He is often invoked at the beginning of significant events, such as weddings and business endeavors, reflecting his role as a harbinger of success. The festival of Ganesh Chaturthi, which celebrates his birth, has become a significant cultural event in India, showcasing the deep-rooted reverence for this deity.
The name Ganesh, along with its diminutive form "Ganu," continues to resonate within Hindu culture, representing not only religious devotion but also a rich tapestry of mythological and philosophical significance.
Famous people named Ganesh
In this section, you will find notable people named Ganesh. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Ganesh who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Ganesh who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.
Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.
Ganesh Chaturthi is a festival celebrated in honor of the Hindu god Ganesh, known for his elephant head and as the remover of obstacles.
Ganesh Sittampalam is a musician best known for his work in the Indian classical music scene.
Ganesh Hegde is a choreographer and singer best known for his work in Bollywood films and music videos.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Ganesh, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
Similar names
Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Ganesh. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Ganesh was first seen in the United States in 1977.
Ganesh has ranked as high as #1233 nationally, which occurred in 1993, and has been most popular in New York, and California.
In the past 5 years the name Ganesh has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Ganesh is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Ganesh was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Ganesh (2007)
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. In some cases, you may see four or five states listed. However, we only display states where the name represents a significant percentage of births, so the number of states shown can range from one to several.
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| CA | 5 |
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Ganesh.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2021 | 6 |
| 2020 | 5 |
| 2017 | 6 |
| 2015 | 8 |
| 2014 | 5 |
| 2013 | 7 |
| 2012 | 9 |
| 2011 | 5 |
| 2010 | 8 |
| 2009 | 12 |
| 2008 | 6 |
| 2007 | 14 |
| 2006 | 9 |
| 2005 | 12 |
| 2004 | 12 |
| 2003 | 8 |
| 2002 | 11 |
| 2001 | 9 |
| 2000 | 9 |
| 1999 | 11 |
| 1998 | 8 |
| 1997 | 8 |
| 1996 | 7 |
| 1995 | 8 |
| 1994 | 5 |
| 1993 | 14 |
| 1992 | 6 |
| 1991 | 8 |
| 1989 | 8 |
| 1988 | 8 |
| 1982 | 9 |
| 1981 | 7 |
| 1980 | 6 |
| 1979 | 6 |
| 1978 | 5 |
| 1977 | 5 |