Onkar first name popularity, history and meaning

Find out how popular the first name Onkar has been for the last 19 years (from 1999 to 2017) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Meaning of Onkar

A masculine name of Sanskrit origin meaning "divine sound or the primal vibration".

Popularity of Onkar by gender

Based on the last 19 years of data, Onkar is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2017, there were 6 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Onkar.

Year Male Count Female Count
2017 6 0
2009 5 0
1999 5 0

The history of the first name Onkar

The name Onkar has its roots in the Sanskrit language, which is an ancient Indo-Aryan language originating from the Indian subcontinent. The word "Onkar" is derived from the sacred Hindu sound "Om," which is considered the primordial sound of the universe in Hindu philosophy.

Onkar is a combination of two Sanskrit words: "Om" and "Kar," where "Om" represents the divine, universal consciousness, and "Kar" means "to create" or "to manifest." Thus, the name Onkar signifies the manifestation or creation of the divine, reflecting the belief that all creation stems from the primordial sound of Om.

The name holds significant importance in Hindu scriptures, particularly the Upanishads, where the syllable "Om" is revered as the embodiment of the ultimate reality. The Mandukya Upanishad, one of the principal Upanishads, delves into the symbolic and spiritual significance of the syllable "Om," establishing its profound connection with the divine.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Onkar can be found in the ancient Hindu texts, such as the Vedas and Puranas. In these sacred texts, the name is often associated with deities and spiritual figures, reflecting its sacred connotations.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Onkar, including:

  1. Onkar Singh (1882-1942), an Indian revolutionary and freedom fighter who participated in the Indian independence movement against British colonial rule.
  2. Onkar Nath Tiwari (1926-2018), an Indian politician who served as the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand.
  3. Onkar Kulkarni (born 1981), an Indian cricket umpire and former cricketer who played domestic cricket for Maharashtra.
  4. Onkar Ghate (born 1957), an Indian classical vocalist and exponent of the Jaipur-Atrauli gharana.
  5. Onkar Sahay (1907-1986), an Indian freedom fighter and politician who served as a member of the Constituent Assembly of India.

The name Onkar has transcended its religious origins and has been adopted by people across various cultures and regions within India, symbolizing its enduring spiritual and cultural significance.

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

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

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"Onkar first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on May 27, 2025. http://namecensus.com/first-names/onkar-meaning-and-history/.

"Onkar first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/first-names/onkar-meaning-and-history/. Accessed 27 May, 2025

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

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