Karthikeya Boy
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: KAR-thi-key-uh //ˈkɑːrθɪkeɪjə//
Origin: Sanskrit; Tamil
Meaning: Sanskrit: 'son of Karti'; Tamil: 'one who is brave'
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Karthikeya has its roots in ancient Indian languages, primarily Sanskrit. It is derived from the term 'Kārtikeya,' which is a combination of 'Kārtika,' referring to the Hindu month during which the deity is celebrated, and 'eya,' which denotes belonging or relation.
The name is associated with the Hindu god of war, Kartikeya, who is also known as Skanda or Murugan in various regional traditions. The etymological journey of Karthikeya reflects the linguistic and cultural evolution within the Indian subcontinent, where Sanskrit influenced many regional languages and dialects.
Historically, Karthikeya is significant in Hindu mythology and texts, with references dating back to ancient scriptures such as the Mahabharata and the Puranas, which were composed between the 4th century BCE and the 5th century CE. He is depicted as the son of Shiva and Parvati, embodying valor and martial prowess.
The worship of Karthikeya has been prominent in South India, particularly in Tamil Nadu, where he is revered in temples and festivals, such as Thaipusam, which celebrates his victory over the demon Soorapadman. Culturally, Karthikeya symbolizes victory, strength, and the triumph of good over evil, resonating deeply within Hindu traditions and narratives.
His association with the constellation of the Pleiades, known as Krittika in Sanskrit, further emphasizes his celestial connections. The name Karthikeya, along with its variations and diminutives, has endured through centuries, reflecting the rich tapestry of Hindu mythology and the reverence for divine figures in Indian culture.
Fictional characters named Karthikeya
The following list of fictional characters named Karthikeya is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.
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Karthikeya is a fictional character from Hindu mythology and various adaptations in literature and film. He is the god of war and the son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, often depicted as a powerful warrior riding a peacock.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Karthikeya, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Karthikeya was first seen in the United States in 2004.
Karthikeya has ranked as high as #6627 nationally, which occurred in 2016, and has been most popular in Texas, California, and New Jersey.
In the past 5 years the name Karthikeya has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Karthikeya 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 Karthikeya 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 Karthikeya.
| Year | Total Births | Boy |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 33 | 33 |
| 2024 | 19 | 19 |
| 2023 | 25 | 25 |
| 2022 | 14 | 14 |
| 2021 | 19 | 19 |
| 2020 | 18 | 18 |
| 2019 | 16 | 16 |
| 2018 | 21 | 21 |
| 2017 | 27 | 27 |
| 2016 | 39 | 39 |
| 2015 | 24 | 24 |
| 2014 | 32 | 32 |
| 2013 | 14 | 14 |
| 2012 | 13 | 13 |
| 2011 | 11 | 11 |
| 2010 | 11 | 11 |
| 2009 | 8 | 8 |
| 2008 | 5 | 5 |
| 2007 | 8 | 8 |
| 2006 | 7 | 7 |
| 2004 | 6 | 6 |
Top States for Karthikeya (2024)
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 |
|---|---|---|
| TX | 5 |