Shiva Unisex
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: SHEE-vah /ˈʃiː.və/
Origin: Sanskrit; Hindi
Meaning: Sanskrit: Auspicious; Hindi: The auspicious one
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Shiva has its roots in the ancient Sanskrit language, deriving from the word 'śiva,' which means 'auspicious' or 'kind.' In Hindu tradition, Shiva is one of the principal deities, forming part of the Trimurti alongside Brahma and Vishnu. The name has been used in various forms across different languages and cultures, often retaining its original connotation of benevolence and auspiciousness.
The transition of the name into English occurred through the transliteration of Sanskrit texts, particularly during the colonial period when interest in Indian philosophy and religion grew in the West. Historically, Shiva is a significant figure in Hindu mythology, with references dating back to the Vedic texts around the 2nd millennium BCE.
He is depicted as the destroyer and transformer within the cosmic cycle, embodying both asceticism and sensuality. The Puranas, composed between the 3rd and 10th centuries CE, further elaborate on his character and stories, solidifying his role in Hindu worship.
Notably, the 'Shiva Purana' and 'Linga Purana' are key texts that detail his attributes and legends, contributing to the name's enduring significance in religious contexts. Culturally, Shiva symbolizes the duality of creation and destruction, embodying the cycle of life and death.
His associations with meditation, yoga, and the arts have made him a central figure in various cultural expressions, including dance and music. The name Shiva is often linked to various festivals, such as Maha Shivaratri, which celebrates his divine presence.
Additionally, diminutive forms like 'Shiv' are sometimes used, reflecting the name's adaptability and resonance across different regions and communities. Overall, the name Shiva carries profound spiritual and cultural weight, deeply embedded in the fabric of Hindu tradition.
Famous people named Shiva
In this section, you will find notable people named Shiva. 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 Shiva who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Shiva 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.
Shiva Ayyadurai is an entrepreneur and inventor best known for developing email and founding EchoMail.
Shiva Keshavan is an Indian luger best known for competing in the Winter Olympics.
Shiva Rea is a yoga teacher and author best known for her work in vinyasa yoga and her DVDs.
Shiva Natarajan is a musician best known for his contributions to Indian classical music.
Fictional characters named Shiva
The following list of fictional characters named Shiva 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.
You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.
Shiva is a fictional character from the video game series Mortal Kombat. He is a powerful warrior known for his strength and ability to manipulate fire.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Shiva, 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 Shiva. 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 Shiva was first seen in the United States in 1980.
Shiva has ranked as high as #1339 nationally, which occurred in 2021, and has been most popular in California, New York, and Texas.
In the past 5 years the name Shiva has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Shiva 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 Shiva was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Shiva (2021)
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 | 9 |
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 Shiva.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 17 |
| 2023 | 23 |
| 2022 | 12 |
| 2021 | 24 |
| 2020 | 12 |
| 2019 | 13 |
| 2018 | 20 |
| 2017 | 13 |
| 2016 | 13 |
| 2015 | 7 |
| 2014 | 15 |
| 2013 | 15 |
| 2012 | 16 |
| 2011 | 8 |
| 2010 | 13 |
| 2009 | 11 |
| 2008 | 10 |
| 2007 | 17 |
| 2006 | 15 |
| 2005 | 19 |
| 2004 | 11 |
| 2003 | 17 |
| 2002 | 22 |
| 2001 | 20 |
| 2000 | 16 |
| 1999 | 13 |
| 1998 | 13 |
| 1997 | 18 |
| 1996 | 12 |
| 1995 | 12 |
| 1994 | 9 |
| 1993 | 7 |
| 1992 | 7 |
| 1991 | 12 |
| 1990 | 9 |
| 1989 | 8 |
| 1988 | 6 |
| 1983 | 7 |
| 1980 | 6 |