Shiv Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
The name Shiv originates from Sanskrit, meaning auspicious or kind, and is associated with the Hindu deity Shiva. It has evolved through various historical forms and is widely used in modern India. Its traits are often linked to strength and benevolence. There is no biblical relevance associated with the name.
The name Shiv is most popular in New Jersey, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Boy name among the Generation Alpha generation in the Northeast region. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is gaining popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, Shiv has been stalled for male in MidWest, too falling for male in Northeast, stalled for male in South, too falling for male in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for male in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for male in South, stalled for male in West. Across generations, 'Shiv' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 3904th out of 16616 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 2061st out of 24088 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 1941st out of 23106 names. Discover how the name 'Shiv' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Shiv"
Pronunciation
/ʃɪv/
Origin
Sanskrit
Etymology
The name Shiv is derived from the Sanskrit word 'Shiva,' which means 'auspicious' or 'kind.' In Hinduism, Shiva is a major deity, revered as the 'Destroyer' in the Trimurti, alongside Brahma the 'Creator' and Vishnu the 'Preserver.'
Meaning
Auspicious, kind
Language Evolution
Sanskrit: शिव (Shiva), Prakrit: शिय (Siya), Hindi: शिव (Shiv), Bengali: শিব (Shib)
Historical Usage
The name Shiv has been used since ancient times in India, particularly among followers of Hinduism. It gained popularity as a personal name in the 20th century, reflecting the cultural significance of Lord Shiva.
Variants & Derivatives
Shiva, Shivaji, Shivendra, Shivam
Modern Popularity & Image
Shiv is regarded positively in contemporary culture, often associated with strength and benevolence. It remains a popular choice for boys in India and among the Indian diaspora.
Famous People
Shiv Khera (Author and Motivational Speaker), Shivaji Maharaj (Maratha King and Warrior), Shiv Thakare (Indian Reality TV Star)
Explore More Shiv Name Visualizations
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Shiv"
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History of "Shiv"
"Shiv" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 3904th of 16616 | 209 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 2061st of 24088 | 956 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 1941st of 23106 | 936 |
Regional Popularity of "Shiv" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- |
48.92% 2189th/4475 |
- |
55.42% 3501st/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
41.29% 1892nd/4582 |
25.54% 1319th/5164 |
29.39% 2149th/7313 |
27.75% 2071st/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
47.41% 1889th/3984 |
26.34% 1182nd/4487 |
29.36% 2003rd/6822 |
26.27% 1649th/6276 |
Regional Popularity of "Shiv" by Generation for Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
State-by-State Popularity of "Shiv"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Shiv" across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.