Rising since 2004, #3,450 for boys today.
Popularity of Karthikeya since 2004
Babies named Karthikeya per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 2000s | 34 |
| 2010s | 208 |
| 2020s | 128 |
Meaning & origin
Karthikeya has been recorded in U.S. data since 2004, a relatively recent arrival compared to many traditional Hindu names. Its popularity has been gradually rising, with a peak in 2016. The name is notably concentrated in Texas, reflecting the state's large South Asian community. While still rare nationally (ranked 3450th in 2025, with a 1-in-51760 occurrence), Karthikeya carries deep religious significance for Hindu families, linking the bearer to the deity of war and wisdom.
Karthikeya (also spelled Kartikeya) is a Sanskrit name derived from the deity Kartikeya, the god of war and son of Shiva and Parvati in Hindu mythology. The name is formed from 'Krittika,' the Pleiades star cluster, as Kartikeya was nursed by the six Krittika mothers. The name has been common in South India for centuries and has spread among the global Hindu diaspora.
Where Karthikeya is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Karthi, Karthik, Kittu
Sibling names for Karthikeya
Names that share Karthikeya's style, for a brother or sister.
