Declining since 2000, #7,679 for boys today.
Popularity of Kartik since 1973
Babies named Kartik per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1970s | 13 |
| 1980s | 44 |
| 1990s | 101 |
| 2000s | 169 |
| 2010s | 99 |
| 2020s | 69 |
Meaning & origin
Kartik has been in use in the United States since 1973, but it remains a rare choice, ranking 7,679th in 2025 with about 1 in 170,808 boys given the name. Its peak popularity came in 2000, after which it has been in decline. The name is deeply rooted in Hindu tradition, derived from the god Kartikeya. While not common, it carries cultural significance and is a recognizable name within Indian communities.
Kartik is a Sanskrit name, a shortened form or variant of Kartikeya, the name of a Hindu god of war, also known as Murugan. The name is derived from the Sanskrit Krittika, referring to the Pleiades star cluster, as the god is said to have been nursed by the six Krittika maidens. Kartik has been a common given name among Hindu families in India and the diaspora.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Kart, Karti
Sibling names for Kartik
Names that share Kartik's style, for a brother or sister.
