"son of Kartikey, the god of war"
Origin: Sanskrit
Language: Sanskrit
Karthikeya
Does Karthikeya flow with your last name?
Born of the stars, commander of the heavens
Indian
Hindu
Tamil
Telugu
Malayalam
Spiritual
Traditional
Strong
Royal
Bold
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
Share
Similar Names
Names Like Karthikeya
Same sound, same style — different options
Nicknames
Nicknames for Karthikeya
3 shorthand options for every setting
Meaning & Origin
"nurtured by the six divine mothers"
Origin: Sanskrit mythology
Language: Sanskrit
Browse names with similar meanings:
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
Similar to Karthikeya
See all →What the Karthikeya report tells you
$9Personalized to your state, siblings, and priorities. Free playground safety preview included.
Is Karthikeya the #1 name in your state, or barely on the radar?
Enter your other kids' names. We score how well they sound together.
Downloadable PDF + nursery art
Everything in one printable report. Frame the name art.
Start with a free preview
Playground safety check is free. Full report is $9.
What do you want to do with this name?
Keep Karthikeya
Add it to your shortlist. Not losing this one.
Compare names
Put Karthikeya head-to-head with your other picks.
Start comparing →
Nickname ideas
See what Karthikeya actually gets called.
Browse nicknames →
What kind of baby name person are you?
3 minutes to find names that fit your style.
Take the Quiz
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.
Historical Record
Karthikeya first appeared in US Social Security records in 2004.
Over 337 babies have been named Karthikeya in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Karthikeya is a hidden gem — rare but distinctive , currently ranked #5,222 for boy names in the US .
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
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
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
Names You Might Also Love
See all →
Eshan
Boy
"lord of the northeast, divine guardian"
#5,198
Rishav
Boy
"bull, strong one (Rishabhdev in Jainism)"
#5,109
Priyansh
Boy
"cherished part of the heart"
#5,202
Bhodi
Boy
"enlightenment, awakening"
#5,128
Anvit
Boy
"one who pursues virtue"
#5,174
Compare Karthikeya with:
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
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
Premium
Check how Karthikeya fits with existing sibling names — style, sound, and origin.
Enter sibling names above to see compatibility.
Similar Names
See all names like Karthikeya →For Parents
amz
Start a baby registry
Free welcome box on Amazon
The Baby Name Wizard
Names that age well — book
Nursery name sign
Personalized wooden letters
We may earn a commission from these links.
Compare Karthikeya with...
Same Origin Names (Indian)
See all Indian names →Can't decide?
Start a tournament bracket with Karthikeya and other names you're considering.
Start a TournamentLike this name?
Check how Karthikeya sounds with your surname and test for potential nicknames.
Analyze This NameExplore More Generators
-
🧝
Fantasy Name Generator
Create names for D&D and RPG characters
-
🐾
Pet Name Generator
Find the perfect name for your furry friend
-
🎭
Character Name Generator
Names for fictional characters across genres
Names You Might Also Like
View all →
Eshan
Boy
Sanskrit/Hindu origin
"lord of the northeast, divine guardian"
#5,198 in US
Rishav
Boy
Sanskrit origin
"bull, strong one (Rishabhdev in Jainism)"
#5,109 in US
Priyansh
Boy
Sanskrit origin
"cherished part of the heart"
#5,202 in US
Bhodi
Boy
Sanskrit origin
"enlightenment, awakening"
#5,128 in US
Anvit
Boy
Sanskrit origin
"one who pursues virtue"
#5,174 in US
Aayush
Boy
Sanskrit origin
"long life, vitality, lifespan"
#5,211 in US
Varun
Boy
Vedic Sanskrit origin
"the all-encompassing one"
#5,344 in US
Karthik
Boy
Sanskrit origin
"born in the month of Kartik"
#5,386 in US
Save Your Name Card
Download a shareable image with Karthikeya's meaning, origin, and popularity. Ready for Instagram, Pinterest, or texting to your partner.
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.
What boy names are similar to Karthikeya?
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.
Keep Exploring
Sanskrit Names
Browse all names with this origin
K
Names Starting with K
More boy names like Karthikeya
Unique Names
Uncommon names with character
Name Personality Quiz
Find names that match your style
Name Swiper
Swipe through names, build a shortlist fast
Browse All Boy Names
Full list with filters and sorting
Recommended for Parents
amz
Start a registry
Free welcome box on Amazon
Baby Name Wizard
Names that actually age well
Nursery name sign
Personalized wooden letters
We may earn a commission from these links.
Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis