"Auspicious; benevolent"
Origin: Sanskrit
Language: Sanskrit
Shiva
Pronunciation: [ sh-EEV-uh ]
Does Shiva flow with your last name?
A sacred Sanskrit name meaning auspicious and benevolent
Indian
Hindu
Persian
Spiritual
Cultural
Strong
Divine
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Nicknames
Nicknames for Shiva
4 shorthand options for every setting
Meaning & Origin
"Charming; playful"
Origin: Persian
Language: Persian
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Things to Know About This Name
- shares name with the Hindu destroyer deity, which may be significant in some contexts
The Story of Shiva
Shiva comes from the Sanskrit root shiv meaning auspicious, benevolent, or kind. As a given name it carries profound spiritual weight in Hinduism, where Shiva is one of the principal deities of the Trimurti. In Iran and among Sephardic Jewish communities, Shiva also appears as a feminine given name. The Jewish mourning practice of sitting shiva shares a separate Hebrew root meaning seven.
Historical Record
Shiva first appeared in US Social Security records in 1968.
Over 284 babies have been named Shiva in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Shiva is a hidden gem — rare but distinctive , currently ranked #23,315 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Shiva is one of the most worshipped deities in Hinduism, representing destruction and regeneration in the cosmic cycle.
- In Persian, Shiva is a popular female given name meaning charming or playful, completely separate from the Hindu deity.
Popularity Over Time
#23,315
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
Hidden Gem
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Shiva
S
Shiva Rose
Actress/Wellness advocate
1969
American actress and wellness advocate known for her work in Hollywood and her natural living platform.
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Compare Shiva with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #23,315
- Total SSA Count
- 7
- Cultural Origins
- Indian Hindu Persian
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Alternative Spellings
Nicknames
Shi
Shy
Shie
Shikins
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, extended 2-3 combo
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Classic pairing, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, spiritual style, extended 2-3 combo
-
Classic pairing, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Shiva
3 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Boy Name
Shiva is also used as a boy name, ranked #5599.
View Shiva as a boy name →Similar Names
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Frequently Asked Questions About Shiva
What does the name Shiva mean?
"Auspicious; benevolent" (from Sanskrit). "Charming; playful" (from Persian). Shiva comes from the Sanskrit root shiv meaning auspicious, benevolent, or kind. As a given name it carries profound spiritual weight in Hinduism, where Shiva is one of the principal deities of the Trimurti. In Iran and among Sephardic Jewish communities, Shiva also appears as a feminine given name. The Jewish mourning practice of sitting shiva shares a separate Hebrew root meaning seven.
What is the origin of the name Shiva?
Shiva has Sanskrit, Persian, Indian, and Hindu origins. In Sanskrit, it means "Auspicious; benevolent". In Persian, it means "Charming; playful".
Is Shiva a boy or girl name?
Shiva is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #23315. As a boy name, it is ranked #5599. Shiva is more commonly used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Shiva?
Shiva is pronounced sh-EEV-uh.
How popular is the name Shiva?
Shiva is currently ranked #23315 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Shiva?
Common nicknames for Shiva include Shi, Shy, Shie, and Shikins.
What are good middle names for Shiva?
Popular middle name pairings include Shiva Priya, Shiva Devi, and Shiva Lata.
What are good sibling names for Shiva?
Names that pair well with Shiva as siblings include Parvati, Lakshmi, and Durga.
How many syllables does Shiva have?
Shiva has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Shiva a common or rare name?
Shiva is an uncommon name, ranked #23315 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What girl names are similar to Shiva?
Are there other spellings for Shiva?
Related spellings include Shivani.
About the Name Shiva
Shiva is a girl name with Indian, Hindu, and Persian origins . The name means "Auspicious; benevolent" in Sanskrit .
Is Shiva a boy or girl name? Shiva is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #23,315 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #5,599. Shiva is more commonly used as a boy name.
Shiva is currently ranked #23,315 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Shiva has 2 syllables and is pronounced sh-EEV-uh, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Shiva include Shi, Shy, Shie, and Shikins. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Shiva include Shivani . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
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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