Kartikeya

Meaning of Kartikeya

With roots in the ancient Sanskrit lexicon, the masculine name Kartikeya occupies a venerable position within Hindu tradition—where it denotes the deity also known as Skanda or Murugan, the youthful commander of celestial armies and the progeny of Shiva and Parvati—and etymologically derives from the term kṛttikā, referencing the celestial nymphs who nurtured the god, thereby encapsulating martial prowess, spiritual authority, and cultural continuity. When transposed into Anglo-American contexts, the name is articulated as /kər.tiː.ˈkeɪ.jə/, corresponding to its Hindi pronunciation kar-tee-KAY-yuh, and retains its associations with valour and devotion. Empirical data from the United States Social Security Administration reveal that Kartikeya first entered the national naming records in 2006 with seven occurrences at rank 876; since that time it has exhibited modest fluctuation, registering between five and nine births per year and maintaining positions between 876 and 938, a pattern indicative of its stable yet infrequent adoption among American parents seeking a name of mythological resonance and distinctive cultural heritage.

Pronunciation

Hindi

• Pronunced as kar-tee-KAY-yuh (/kər.tiː.ˈkeɪ.jə/)

• Karthik
• Kartik
• Karthikeyan