"son of Kartikey, the god of war"
Origin: Sanskrit
Language: Sanskrit
Karthikeya
Born of the stars, commander of the heavens
Indian
Hindu
Tamil
Telugu
Malayalam
Spiritual
Traditional
Strong
Royal
Bold
Meaning & Origin
"nurtured by the six divine mothers"
Origin: Sanskrit mythology
Language: Sanskrit
Browse names with similar meanings:
The Story of Karthikeya
Karthikeya (Sanskrit: कार्त्तिकेय) means 'son of the Pleiades' or 'nurtured by the Krittika stars,' from the Sanskrit 'Krittika' (the Pleiades constellation). According to Hindu mythology, when Shiva's seed fell into the Ganges River, it was carried to the reeds and received by six divine mothers called the Krittikas (represented by the Pleiades). Each nursed the infant, who then merged into one six-faced divine child. The full name Karthikeya is therefore deeply cosmological — connecting the child to celestial mothers, divine birth, and the stars themselves.
Karthikeya is primarily used in South India, particularly in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Kerala, where the god Murugan/Skanda/Karthikeya is especially venerated. The name is common in traditional Hindu families who wish to name their son after this powerful deity. Outside South India, the shorter form 'Karthik' is more commonly used in everyday contexts, while the full 'Karthikeya' retains a formal, devotional character.
In Hindu tradition, Karthikeya (also called Skanda, Murugan, Subramaniam, and Kumara) is the god of war, victory, wisdom, and love. He is the second son of Shiva and Parvati and is especially worshipped in South India, Sri Lanka, and among Tamil diaspora communities worldwide. His six faces represent the ability to see in all directions simultaneously — a symbol of divine omniscience. He is also the commander of the divine army that defeated the demon Tarakasura.
Fun Facts
- Karthikeya has more names than almost any other Hindu deity — over 108 names are recorded, including Skanda, Murugan, Subramaniam, Kumara, and Shanmukha
- The Pleiades (Krittika stars) are one of the oldest star clusters mentioned in human records, appearing in ancient Indian, Greek, and Babylonian texts
- Thaipusam, a major Hindu festival honoring Karthikeya, involves dramatic acts of devotion and draws millions of worshippers across South Asia and Southeast Asia
Karthikeya in Other Languages
Hindi
कार्तिकेय
Tamil
முருகன் (Murugan)
Telugu
కార్తికేయ
Sanskrit
कार्त्तिकेय
Sinhalese
කාර්තිකේය
Popularity Over Time
#5,222
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
Hidden Gem
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Famous People Named Karthikeya
K
Karthikeya (Hindu deity)
Religious
The Hindu god of war and victory, son of Shiva and Parvati, known by many names including Skanda, Murugan, and Subramani...
The Hindu god of war and victory, son of Shiva and Parvati, known by many names including Skanda, Murugan, and Subramaniam — one of the most widely worshipped deities in South India and Tamil diaspora communities
K
Karthikeya Murugesh
Other
Indian Kannada film actor known in South Indian cinema
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 5
- Popularity Rank
- #5,222
- Total SSA Count
- 19
- Cultural Origins
- Indian Hindu Tamil Telugu Malayalam
- Pronunciation
- Hard
- Formality
- Formal
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Low
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Karthi
Karthik
Kay
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
Sibling Names
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Frequently Asked Questions About Karthikeya
What does the name Karthikeya mean?
"son of Kartikey, the god of war" (from Sanskrit). "nurtured by the six divine mothers" (from Sanskrit mythology). Karthikeya (Sanskrit: कार्त्तिकेय) means 'son of the Pleiades' or 'nurtured by the Krittika stars,' from the Sanskrit 'Krittika' (the Pleiades constellation). According to Hindu mythology, when Shiva's seed fell into the Ganges River, it was carried to the reeds and received by six divine mothers called the Krittikas (represented by the Pleiades). Each nursed the infant, who then merged into one six-faced divine child. The full name Karthikeya is therefore deeply cosmological — connecting the child to celestial mothers, divine birth, and the stars themselves.
What is the origin of the name Karthikeya?
Karthikeya has Sanskrit, Sanskrit mythology, Indian, Hindu, Tamil, Telugu, and Malayalam origins. In Sanskrit, it means "son of Kartikey, the god of war". In Sanskrit mythology, it means "nurtured by the six divine mothers".
Is Karthikeya a boy or girl name?
Karthikeya is primarily used as a boy name.
How popular is the name Karthikeya?
Karthikeya is currently ranked #5222 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Karthikeya?
Common nicknames for Karthikeya include Karthi, Karthik, and Kay.
What are good sibling names for Karthikeya?
Names that pair well with Karthikeya as siblings include Ganesha, Lakshmi, Parvati, Subramanian, Vishnu, Indira, and Devi.
How many syllables does Karthikeya have?
Karthikeya has 5 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.
Is Karthikeya a common or rare name?
Karthikeya is an uncommon name, ranked #5222 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
About the Name Karthikeya
Karthikeya is a boy name with Indian, Hindu, Tamil, Telugu, and Malayalam origins . The name means "son of Kartikey, the god of war" in Sanskrit .
Karthikeya is currently ranked #5,222 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Karthikeya has 5 syllables, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Karthikeya include Karthi, Karthik, and Kay. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Karthikeya include Karter, Kartier . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.