Find out how popular the first name Sankara has been for the last 1 years (from 2020 to 2020) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Sankara by gender

Based on the last 1 years of data, Sankara is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2020, there were 8 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Sankara.

The history of the first name Sankara

The name Sankara is of Sanskrit origin and is believed to have originated in ancient India during the classical period, around the 6th century CE. It is derived from the Sanskrit words "sam" meaning "together" and "kṛ" meaning "to do or make," suggesting a meaning of "bringing together" or "unifying."

One of the most notable historical references to the name Sankara is its association with the revered Hindu philosopher and spiritual leader, Adi Sankara. Born in the year 788 CE in the village of Kaladi, in present-day Kerala, Adi Sankara was a prominent figure in the Advaita Vedanta tradition of Hinduism. He established several monastic orders and is credited with reviving and consolidating the teachings of Advaita Vedanta, which emphasizes the unity of the individual soul (Atman) with the Supreme Brahman.

The name Sankara also appears in several ancient Hindu scriptures and texts, including the Upanishads and the Bhagavad Gita. It is often used as an epithet or title for Hindu deities or spiritual leaders, particularly those associated with the concept of unity or oneness.

One of the earliest recorded uses of the name Sankara can be found in the writings of the 9th-century Hindu philosopher and scholar, Sankara Misra, who is also known as Vachaspati Misra. He was a prominent figure in the Nyaya school of Hindu philosophy and wrote several influential works, including the Tattvakaumudi and the Nyayavartika.

Another notable historical figure bearing the name Sankara was Sankara Nana, a 17th-century Marathi poet and saint from Maharashtra, India. He is known for his devotional poetry and his contributions to the Bhakti movement, which emphasized devotion and love for the divine.

In the 19th century, Sankara Bharadwaj was a renowned Sanskrit scholar and writer from Bengal, India. He is best known for his translations of several ancient Sanskrit texts into Bengali, making them more accessible to a wider audience.

Sankara Kurup, born in 1866, was a prominent Malayalam poet and playwright from Kerala, India. He is considered one of the pioneers of modern Malayalam literature and is renowned for his plays, including Kunji Kanan Nunakkatha and Mayalekhangal.

Sankara Saranam, a 20th-century Indian spiritual leader and philosopher, was another notable figure bearing the name Sankara. He was a proponent of the Advaita Vedanta tradition and founded the Sri Sankara Advaita Research Centre in Kalady, Kerala, dedicated to the study and propagation of Advaita philosophy.

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

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