Find out how popular the first name Harsh has been for the last 36 years (from 1988 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Harsh by gender

Based on the last 36 years of data, Harsh is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 5 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Harsh.

The history of the first name Harsh

The name Harsh is derived from the Sanskrit word "harsha," which means joy, happiness, or delight. This name has its roots in ancient Indian culture and can be traced back to the Vedic period, around 1500-500 BCE.

The name Harsh was popular among Hindu communities in the Indian subcontinent. It gained prominence during the Gupta Empire, which ruled over a significant part of the Indian subcontinent from the 4th to the 6th century CE. During this period, Sanskrit literature and culture flourished, and the name Harsh was often associated with scholars, poets, and intellectuals.

One of the earliest known references to the name Harsh can be found in the Hindu epic poem, the Mahabharata. The epic mentions a character named Harsh, who was a renowned sage and teacher. Additionally, the name appears in various ancient Hindu texts, such as the Puranas and the Upanishads.

Throughout history, there have been several notable figures who bore the name Harsh. One of the most famous was Harsh Vardhan (c. 590-647 CE), an Indian emperor of the Pushyabhuti dynasty who ruled over present-day northern India. He was known for his military conquests, patronage of the arts, and promotion of Hindu culture.

Another prominent figure was Harsh Narain (1639-1701), a Hindu philosopher and poet from the Mughal Empire. He wrote several works on Vedanta philosophy and is considered one of the most influential thinkers of his time.

In the 20th century, Harsh Vardhan Shringla (born 1962) is a notable Indian diplomat who served as the Foreign Secretary of India from 2020 to 2022. He played a crucial role in India's diplomacy during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Harsh Vardhan (born 1955) is an Indian politician and former Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare, known for his role in India's COVID-19 response.

Harsh Mahajan (born 1980) is an Indian actor and television personality, known for his roles in popular soap operas and reality shows.

The name Harsh has a rich cultural heritage and has been borne by numerous influential figures throughout history, reflecting its association with joy, happiness, and intellectual pursuits in ancient Indian culture.

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 Harsh was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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