Charika first name popularity, history and meaning

Find out how popular the first name Charika has been for the last 14 years (from 1979 to 1992) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Meaning of Charika

A feminine name of Sanskrit origin meaning "graceful" or "charming".

Popularity of Charika by gender

Based on the last 14 years of data, Charika is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 1992, there were 5 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Charika.

Year Male Count Female Count
1992 0 5
1991 0 7
1989 0 6
1988 0 5
1987 0 6
1986 0 7
1985 0 6
1982 0 5
1981 0 6
1980 0 10
1979 0 6

The history of the first name Charika

The given name Charika is believed to have its origins in Sanskrit, one of the oldest Indo-Aryan languages spoken in ancient India. The name is derived from the Sanskrit word "charika," which means "wanderer" or "nomad." This suggests that the name was likely associated with a nomadic or itinerant way of life in ancient times.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Charika can be found in the ancient Hindu epic, the Mahabharata. In this epic, Charika was the name of a minor character, a Brahmin who played a role in a particular episode. This suggests that the name was in use during the time when the Mahabharata was composed, which is estimated to be between the 8th and 4th centuries BCE.

In the centuries that followed, the name Charika appears to have been relatively uncommon, but it did surface in various historical records and texts from time to time. For instance, Charika was the name of a renowned Indian poet and scholar who lived in the 12th century CE. This poet, known as Charika Kavi, was noted for his contributions to Sanskrit literature and his works on poetics.

Another notable figure with the name Charika was a Buddhist monk who lived in the 14th century CE. This monk, known as Charika Thera, was a respected teacher and scholar in the Buddhist tradition. He is said to have authored several important texts on Buddhist philosophy and teachings.

In more recent times, one of the most famous individuals to bear the name Charika was Charika Prasad Ghosh, an Indian freedom fighter and revolutionary who lived from 1888 to 1938. Ghosh played a significant role in the Indian independence movement against British colonial rule, and he was a prominent figure in the Anushilan Samity, a revolutionary organization active in Bengal.

Another notable Charika was Charika Devi, a renowned Indian classical dancer and choreographer who lived from 1905 to 1989. She was widely acclaimed for her contributions to the revival and promotion of the Bharatanatyam dance form, and she received numerous awards and honors for her work.

While the name Charika has its roots in ancient Sanskrit and Indian culture, it has also been adopted and used in various other cultures and regions over the centuries. However, the specific historical and cultural significance of the name may vary depending on the context and the time period.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Charika was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Charika, please contact us.

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"Charika first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on May 21, 2025. http://namecensus.com/first-names/charika-meaning-and-history/.

"Charika first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/first-names/charika-meaning-and-history/. Accessed 21 May, 2025

Charika first name popularity, history and meaning. NameCensus.com. Retrieved from http://namecensus.com/first-names/charika-meaning-and-history/.

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