Find out how popular the first name Karthika has been for the last 11 years (from 2009 to 2019) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Karthika by gender

Based on the last 11 years of data, Karthika is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 2019, there were 6 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Karthika.

The history of the first name Karthika

The name Karthika has its origins in Sanskrit, an ancient Indo-Aryan language that has been widely used in the Indian subcontinent. It is derived from the Sanskrit word "Karthika," which means "little one" or "the one who completes." This name is closely associated with the Hindu goddess of fertility, Shakti, and is also the name of one of the nakshatras (lunar mansions) in Hindu astrology.

In Hinduism, the name Karthika holds significant religious and cultural importance. It is believed to be the birth name of Lord Kartikeya, the son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, who is also known as the God of War and the Commander-in-Chief of the celestial army. The name is mentioned in several ancient Hindu texts, such as the Puranas and the Mahabharata, which are considered sacred scriptures.

One of the earliest recorded examples of the name Karthika can be found in the Skanda Purana, an ancient Hindu text that dates back to around the 7th century AD. The text describes the birth and life of Lord Kartikeya, also known as Murugan or Skanda, and highlights the significance of the name Karthika.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Karthika. One such person was Karthika Thirunavukkarasu (1932-2018), a Sri Lankan Tamil writer and academic who made significant contributions to Tamil literature and language studies. Another prominent figure was Karthika Ratnam (1939-2005), an Indian classical dancer and choreographer who was instrumental in popularizing the Bharatanatyam dance form.

In the field of Indian classical music, Karthika Rajendran (born 1971) is a renowned vocalist and Carnatic music exponent, recognized for her exceptional performances and contributions to the art form. Karthika Somayaji (born 1983) is an Indian film actress and model who has appeared in various Tamil, Telugu, and Malayalam movies.

Additionally, Karthika Nair (born 1991) is an Indian politician and social activist who has been actively involved in addressing issues related to women's empowerment and environmental conservation.

These are just a few examples of notable individuals who have carried the name Karthika throughout history, reflecting its enduring cultural and religious significance within the Indian subcontinent.

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

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

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