Find out how popular the first name Shakya has been for the last 17 years (from 1993 to 2009) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Shakya by gender

Based on the last 17 years of data, Shakya is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 2009, there were 9 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Shakya.

The history of the first name Shakya

The name Shakya has its origins in the ancient Indian language of Sanskrit. It is derived from the word "Shakya," which refers to a clan or tribe that existed in the region of modern-day Nepal during the 6th century BCE. The Shakyas were a prominent clan of the Kshatriya varna, the second of the four social classes in Hinduism.

The name Shakya gained significant historical significance due to its association with Siddhartha Gautama, the founder of Buddhism. Born in the Shakya clan, he was also known as Shakyamuni, which means "the sage of the Shakya clan." This connection has made the name deeply embedded in Buddhist traditions and sacred texts.

One of the earliest documented instances of the name Shakya can be found in the Pali Canon, a collection of Buddhist scriptures dating back to the 5th century BCE. These texts recount the life and teachings of the Buddha, born as Siddhartha Gautama to the Shakya clan.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Shakya. One of the most famous is Shakya Xavaire (1766-1839), a Tibetan Buddhist scholar and translator who played a crucial role in preserving and disseminating Buddhist texts in the 19th century.

Another prominent figure is Shakya Chogden (1428-1507), a Tibetan Buddhist master and teacher who founded the Ngor Monastery in central Tibet. He is renowned for his contributions to the Sakya school of Tibetan Buddhism.

In the realm of literature, Shakya Rinbochay (1598-1659) was a celebrated Bhutanese scholar and poet who authored numerous works on Buddhist philosophy and practices. His writings have had a lasting impact on the literary traditions of Bhutan.

The name Shakya also appears in the history of Nepal, with Shakya Raj Rajbhandari (1609-1670) being a prominent figure. He served as the Prime Minister of the Gorkha Kingdom and played a pivotal role in the unification of Nepal during the 17th century.

Lastly, Shakya Shri (1853-1919) was an influential Indian Buddhist monk and scholar who dedicated his life to the revival and propagation of Buddhism in India. He founded the Maha Bodhi Society, which aimed to restore and preserve Buddhist sites and teachings.

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

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

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