Karthik Boy
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: KAR-thik /ˈkɑːrθɪk/
Origin: Sanskrit; Indian
Meaning: Sanskrit: Lord Krishna; Indian: One who is intelligent
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Karthik has its roots in ancient Indian languages, particularly Sanskrit. It is derived from the word 'Kārtika,' which refers to the Hindu month of Kartika, typically falling between October and November.
The name is associated with the deity Kartikeya, the god of war and victory, who is often depicted as a youthful warrior riding a peacock. This connection to a significant figure in Hindu mythology underscores the name's cultural and religious importance in India.
Historically, Karthikeya is revered in various texts and traditions, with references found in ancient scriptures such as the Mahabharata and the Puranas, which date back to several centuries BCE. The worship of Kartikeya has been a part of Hindu practices for millennia, with temples dedicated to him existing across India and in other countries with Hindu populations.
The name Karthik has thus been carried through generations, symbolizing valor and strength, traits associated with the deity. Culturally, the name Karthik resonates with themes of bravery and leadership, often embodying the qualities of a protector and a guide.
In addition to its religious connotations, the name is celebrated during festivals such as Kartika Purnima, which marks the full moon in the month of Kartika and is a time for various rituals and celebrations in honor of deities. The name may also have diminutive forms like Karthikeya, which further emphasize its divine connections.
Overall, Karthik is a name steeped in rich historical and cultural significance, reflecting the values and beliefs of the societies that have embraced it.
Famous people named Karthik
In this section, you will find notable people named Karthik. 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 Karthik who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Karthik 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.
Karthik Kumar is an actor and comedian best known for Saroja, Kavaludaari, and his stand-up comedy performances.
Karthik Muthuraman is an actor best known for his roles in Kaadhal Kiligal and Kannan Varuvaan.
Karthik Naren is a filmmaker best known for his films Dhruvangal Pathinaaru and Naragasooran.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Karthik, 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 Karthik. 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 Karthik was first seen in the United States in 1977.
Karthik has ranked as high as #4150 nationally, which occurred in 2010, and has been most popular in California, Texas, New Jersey, New York, and Illinois.
In the past 5 years the name Karthik has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Karthik 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 Karthik was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
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 Karthik.
| Year | Total Births | Boy |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 20 | 20 |
| 2024 | 18 | 18 |
| 2023 | 21 | 21 |
| 2022 | 26 | 26 |
| 2021 | 20 | 20 |
| 2020 | 32 | 32 |
| 2019 | 36 | 36 |
| 2018 | 37 | 37 |
| 2017 | 41 | 41 |
| 2016 | 57 | 57 |
| 2015 | 56 | 56 |
| 2014 | 63 | 63 |
| 2013 | 64 | 64 |
| 2012 | 69 | 69 |
| 2011 | 59 | 59 |
| 2010 | 79 | 79 |
| 2009 | 56 | 56 |
| 2008 | 57 | 57 |
| 2007 | 62 | 62 |
| 2006 | 57 | 57 |
| 2005 | 44 | 44 |
| 2004 | 41 | 41 |
| 2003 | 45 | 45 |
| 2002 | 52 | 52 |
| 2001 | 45 | 45 |
| 2000 | 41 | 41 |
| 1999 | 38 | 38 |
| 1998 | 38 | 38 |
| 1997 | 30 | 30 |
| 1996 | 23 | 23 |
| 1995 | 17 | 17 |
| 1994 | 24 | 24 |
| 1993 | 16 | 16 |
| 1992 | 14 | 14 |
| 1991 | 12 | 12 |
| 1990 | 9 | 9 |
| 1989 | 10 | 10 |
| 1988 | 12 | 12 |
| 1987 | 11 | 11 |
| 1986 | 7 | 7 |
| 1985 | 8 | 8 |
| 1984 | 9 | 9 |
| 1982 | 6 | 6 |
| 1981 | 8 | 8 |
| 1977 | 5 | 5 |
Top States for Karthik (2020)
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| NC | 5 |