MallowbyNames

Chetan

चेतनCHAY-tahn · Consciousness or perception, an epithet of the Hindu god Shiva.

2025 rank (boys)
#12,008
Babies named in 2025
5
Peak popularity
2012
2025 frequency
1 in 341,615 boys
Usually for
Boys
Trend
Declining since 2011

Declining since 2011, #12,008 for boys today.

Popularity of Chetan since 1972

Babies named Chetan per year in U.S. Social Security records.

71421198020002020Most births 2012Boys
Data table (by decade)
DecadeBoys
1970s50
1980s92
1990s58
2000s115
2010s123
2020s40

Meaning & origin

Chetan is a masculine name of Sanskrit origin, directly related to the word for consciousness and an epithet of the Hindu deity Shiva. It has been recorded in the United States since 1972, though it remains rare, ranking 12,008th in 2025 with a frequency of 1 in 341,615 births. Its usage reached its peak popularity in 2012, after which it has been on a declining trajectory. The name is primarily used within Indian-American communities and reflects a connection to Hindu philosophical concepts. No U.S. states showed a concentrated popularity for Chetan, indicating its broad but sparse use across the country.

Chetan is a Sanskrit word meaning 'consciousness' or 'perception.' It is used as a masculine given name in India, particularly among Hindi and other North Indian language speakers. The name is also an epithet of the Hindu deity Shiva, who is associated with supreme consciousness. It has been in consistent use since the late 20th century, especially following India's modernization.

Nicknames & variants

Nicknames: Chet, Chintu

Variants: Chaitanya, Chetana

Sibling names for Chetan

Names that share Chetan's style, for a brother or sister.

Sisters: Anika, Isha, Kavya, Neha, Priya

Brothers: Arjun, Dhruv, Rohan, Vikram, Amit

A parent animal hugging its little one, the personalized name page

C is for Chetan, our favorite little boy.

C is for Chetan…”

In a Mallowby alphabet book, Chetan's letter becomes Chetan's page: hand-illustrated, printed hardcover or paperback, made just for them.

Make Chetan's book

Books for siblings or grandkids? The second book is 15% off.

Questions parents ask

What does Chetan mean?
Chetan means 'consciousness' or 'perception' in Sanskrit and is an epithet of the Hindu god Shiva.
How popular is Chetan?
Chetan was ranked 12,008th in the U.S. in 2025, with approximately 1 in 341,615 baby boys given the name. Its peak popularity was in 2012.
Is Chetan a boy or girl name?
Chetan is primarily a masculine name, used predominantly for boys.