DeitiesScripturesTirthFestivalsPanchangAartisDirectoryBaby names

Names starting with Sh (श): 32 names from the scriptures

21 for boys and 11 for girls. With each name: its meaning, its number in the text, and the nakshatra pada and rashi of its first syllable.

In short

Here are 32 names starting with Sh (श): 21 for boys and 11 for girls. Each comes from the Shiva Sahasranama (Mahabharata), Vishnu Sahasranama, Lalita Sahasranama and was checked in two separate editions; with each name are its meaning, its number in the text, and the nakshatra pada and rashi of its first syllable by the Avakahada chakra (Aquarius (Kumbha)).

Edited by the SanatanBodh editorial teamLast updated: 8 sourcesDrafted with AI, checked against sourcesReport a mistake

Boys’ names starting with Sh (श) (21)

  • शंकर

    शङ्करShankarBoy

    Who brings welfare; the auspicious one

    Source
    Shiva Sahasranama (Mahabharata), name 440 (Gita Press); Pune edition, Anushasana Parva 17.80
    Deity
    Shiva
    Meaning based on
    Sanskrit dictionary: Monier-Williams p. 1054
    First syllable
    the Avakahada chakra counts श as स: सा → Shatabhisha pada 2 → Aquarius (Kumbha)

  • शतानंद

    शतानन्दShatanandBoy

    The one supreme bliss that appears as many

    Source
    Vishnu Sahasranama, name 617
    Deity
    Vishnu
    Meaning based on
    Shankara’s commentary
    First syllable
    the Avakahada chakra counts श as स: सा → Shatabhisha pada 2 → Aquarius (Kumbha)

  • शत्रुघ्न

    ShatrughnaBoy

    Slayer of the enemies of the gods

    Source
    Vishnu Sahasranama, name 412
    Deity
    Vishnu
    Meaning based on
    Shankara’s commentary
    First syllable
    the Avakahada chakra counts श as स: सा → Shatabhisha pada 2 → Aquarius (Kumbha)

  • शत्रुजित

    शत्रुजित्ShatrujitBoy

    Conqueror of enemies

    Source
    Vishnu Sahasranama, name 820
    Deity
    Vishnu
    Meaning based on
    Shankara’s commentary
    First syllable
    the Avakahada chakra counts श as स: सा → Shatabhisha pada 2 → Aquarius (Kumbha)

  • शरण

    SharanBoy

    The refuge who ends the sorrow of the suffering

    Source
    Vishnu Sahasranama, name 86
    Deity
    Vishnu
    Meaning based on
    Shankara’s commentary
    First syllable
    the Avakahada chakra counts श as स: सा → Shatabhisha pada 2 → Aquarius (Kumbha)

  • शर्व

    SharvBoy

    A Vedic name of Rudra-Shiva: the archer god

    Source
    Shiva Sahasranama (Mahabharata), name 598 (Gita Press); Pune edition, Anushasana Parva 17.99
    Deity
    Shiva
    Meaning based on
    Sanskrit dictionary: Monier-Williams p. 1057
    First syllable
    the Avakahada chakra counts श as स: सा → Shatabhisha pada 2 → Aquarius (Kumbha)

  • शांत

    शान्तShantBoy

    Tranquil, untouched by sense pleasures

    Source
    Vishnu Sahasranama, name 582
    Deity
    Vishnu
    Meaning based on
    Shankara’s commentary
    First syllable
    the Avakahada chakra counts श as स: सा → Shatabhisha pada 2 → Aquarius (Kumbha)

  • शाश्वत

    ShashwatBoy

    Who exists at all times

    Source
    Vishnu Sahasranama, name 56
    Deity
    Vishnu
    Meaning based on
    Shankara’s commentary
    First syllable
    the Avakahada chakra counts श as स: सा → Shatabhisha pada 2 → Aquarius (Kumbha)

  • शिव

    ShivBoy

    Auspicious, gracious and kind

    Source
    Shiva Sahasranama (Mahabharata), name 614 (Gita Press); Pune edition, Anushasana Parva 17.100
    Deity
    Shiva
    Meaning based on
    Sanskrit dictionary: Monier-Williams p. 1074; Apte p. 1046
    First syllable
    the Avakahada chakra counts श as स: सी → Shatabhisha pada 3 → Aquarius (Kumbha)

  • शिशिर

    ShishirBoy

    Cool like the winter season, soothing those troubled by the three kinds of pain

    Source
    Vishnu Sahasranama, name 913
    Deity
    Vishnu
    Meaning based on
    Shankara’s commentary
    First syllable
    the Avakahada chakra counts श as स: सी → Shatabhisha pada 3 → Aquarius (Kumbha)

  • शुभांग

    शुभाङ्गShubhangBoy

    Of handsome limbs

    Source
    Vishnu Sahasranama, name 586
    Deity
    Vishnu
    Meaning based on
    Shankara’s commentary
    First syllable
    the Avakahada chakra counts श as स: सू → Shatabhisha pada 4 → Aquarius (Kumbha)

  • शोभन

    ShobhanBoy

    Radiant, splendid and handsome

    Source
    Shiva Sahasranama (Mahabharata), name 445 (Gita Press); Pune edition, Anushasana Parva 17.80
    Deity
    Shiva
    Meaning based on
    Sanskrit dictionary: Monier-Williams p. 1092; Apte p. 1056
    First syllable
    the Avakahada chakra counts श as स: सो → Purva Bhadrapada pada 2 → Aquarius (Kumbha)

  • शौरि

    ShauriBoy

    Born in the line of Shura (as the son of Vasudeva)

    Source
    Vishnu Sahasranama, name 340
    Deity
    Vishnu
    Meaning based on
    Shankara’s commentary
    First syllable
    the Avakahada chakra counts श as स: सो → Purva Bhadrapada pada 2 → Aquarius (Kumbha)

  • श्रीकर

    ShrikarBoy

    Who gives shri to the devotees who remember, praise and worship him

    Source
    Vishnu Sahasranama, name 611
    Deity
    Vishnu
    Meaning based on
    Shankara’s commentary
    First syllable
    श्री is a conjunct: its first letter, श; the Avakahada chakra counts श as स: सा → Shatabhisha pada 2 → Aquarius (Kumbha) or keeping the vowel, शी: सी → Shatabhisha pada 3 → Aquarius (Kumbha)

  • श्रीधर

    ShridharBoy

    Who holds Lakshmi, mother of all, on his chest

    Source
    Vishnu Sahasranama, name 610
    Deity
    Vishnu
    Meaning based on
    Shankara’s commentary
    First syllable
    श्री is a conjunct: its first letter, श; the Avakahada chakra counts श as स: सा → Shatabhisha pada 2 → Aquarius (Kumbha) or keeping the vowel, शी: सी → Shatabhisha pada 3 → Aquarius (Kumbha)

  • श्रीनिधि

    ShrinidhiBoy

    Treasure-house of all powers (shri)

    Source
    Vishnu Sahasranama, name 608
    Deity
    Vishnu
    Meaning based on
    Shankara’s commentary
    First syllable
    श्री is a conjunct: its first letter, श; the Avakahada chakra counts श as स: सा → Shatabhisha pada 2 → Aquarius (Kumbha) or keeping the vowel, शी: सी → Shatabhisha pada 3 → Aquarius (Kumbha)

  • श्रीनिवास

    ShrinivasBoy

    On whose chest Shri, Lakshmi, ever dwells

    Source
    Vishnu Sahasranama, name 183
    Deity
    Vishnu
    Meaning based on
    Shankara’s commentary
    First syllable
    श्री is a conjunct: its first letter, श; the Avakahada chakra counts श as स: सा → Shatabhisha pada 2 → Aquarius (Kumbha) or keeping the vowel, शी: सी → Shatabhisha pada 3 → Aquarius (Kumbha)

  • श्रीपति

    ShripatiBoy

    Husband of Shri, Lakshmi; or lord of the supreme power

    Source
    Vishnu Sahasranama, name 603
    Deity
    Vishnu
    Meaning based on
    Shankara’s commentary
    First syllable
    श्री is a conjunct: its first letter, श; the Avakahada chakra counts श as स: सा → Shatabhisha pada 2 → Aquarius (Kumbha) or keeping the vowel, शी: सी → Shatabhisha pada 3 → Aquarius (Kumbha)

  • श्रीश

    ShrishBoy

    Lord of Shri, of fortune

    Source
    Vishnu Sahasranama, name 606
    Deity
    Vishnu
    Meaning based on
    Shankara’s commentary
    First syllable
    श्री is a conjunct: its first letter, श; the Avakahada chakra counts श as स: सा → Shatabhisha pada 2 → Aquarius (Kumbha) or keeping the vowel, शी: सी → Shatabhisha pada 3 → Aquarius (Kumbha)

  • श्रेयस

    श्रेयस्ShreyasBoy

    The highest good, which gives lasting bliss

    Source
    Vishnu Sahasranama, name 612
    Deity
    Vishnu
    Meaning based on
    Shankara’s commentary
    First syllable
    श्रे is a conjunct: its first letter, श; the Avakahada chakra counts श as स: सा → Shatabhisha pada 2 → Aquarius (Kumbha) or keeping the vowel, शे: से → Purva Bhadrapada pada 1 → Aquarius (Kumbha)

  • श्रेष्ठ

    ShreshthBoy

    The most excellent, above all

    Source
    Vishnu Sahasranama, name 68
    Deity
    Vishnu
    Meaning based on
    Shankara’s commentary
    First syllable
    श्रे is a conjunct: its first letter, श; the Avakahada chakra counts श as स: सा → Shatabhisha pada 2 → Aquarius (Kumbha) or keeping the vowel, शे: से → Purva Bhadrapada pada 1 → Aquarius (Kumbha)

Girls’ names starting with Sh (श) (11)

  • शर्वाणी

    SharvaniGirl

    Consort of Sharva, Shiva in his earth form

    Source
    Lalita Sahasranama, name 124
    Deity
    Lalita (the Devi)
    Meaning based on
    Bhaskararaya’s commentary
    First syllable
    the Avakahada chakra counts श as स: सा → Shatabhisha pada 2 → Aquarius (Kumbha)

  • शांकरी

    शाङ्करीShankariGirl

    Consort of Shankara; she who brings happiness (sham)

    Source
    Lalita Sahasranama, name 126
    Deity
    Lalita (the Devi)
    Meaning based on
    Bhaskararaya’s commentary
    First syllable
    the Avakahada chakra counts श as स: सा → Shatabhisha pada 2 → Aquarius (Kumbha)

  • शांता

    शान्ताShantaGirl

    Tranquil; in the words of the Upanishad, without parts, without action, tranquil (Shvetashvatara 6.19)

    Source
    Lalita Sahasranama, name 141
    Deity
    Lalita (the Devi)
    Meaning based on
    Bhaskararaya’s commentary
    First syllable
    the Avakahada chakra counts श as स: सा → Shatabhisha pada 2 → Aquarius (Kumbha)

  • शांति

    शान्तिShantiGirl

    Tranquillity

    Source
    Lalita Sahasranama, name 447
    Deity
    Lalita (the Devi)
    Meaning based on
    Bhaskararaya’s commentary
    First syllable
    the Avakahada chakra counts श as स: सा → Shatabhisha pada 2 → Aquarius (Kumbha)

  • शांभवी

    शाम्भवीShambhaviGirl

    Consort of Shambhu (Shiva); or mother of Shambhu’s devotees

    Source
    Lalita Sahasranama, name 122; also in the Durga Ashtottara Shatanama (name 31)
    Deity
    Lalita (the Devi)
    Meaning based on
    Bhaskararaya’s commentary
    First syllable
    the Avakahada chakra counts श as स: सा → Shatabhisha pada 2 → Aquarius (Kumbha)

  • शिवप्रिया

    ShivapriyaGirl

    Beloved of Shiva; or she to whom Shiva is dear

    Source
    Lalita Sahasranama, name 409
    Deity
    Lalita (the Devi)
    Meaning based on
    Bhaskararaya’s commentary
    First syllable
    the Avakahada chakra counts श as स: सी → Shatabhisha pada 3 → Aquarius (Kumbha)

  • शिवा

    ShivaGirl

    The auspicious one; the very will of the supreme Shiva

    Source
    Lalita Sahasranama, name 53
    Deity
    Lalita (the Devi)
    Meaning based on
    Bhaskararaya’s commentary
    First syllable
    the Avakahada chakra counts श as स: सी → Shatabhisha pada 3 → Aquarius (Kumbha)

  • शोभना

    ShobhanaGirl

    Radiant and handsome

    Source
    Lalita Sahasranama, name 462
    Deity
    Lalita (the Devi)
    Meaning based on
    Bhaskararaya’s commentary
    First syllable
    the Avakahada chakra counts श as स: सो → Purva Bhadrapada pada 2 → Aquarius (Kumbha)

  • श्रीकरी

    ShrikariGirl

    Giver of shri: success and prosperity

    Source
    Lalita Sahasranama, name 127
    Deity
    Lalita (the Devi)
    Meaning based on
    Bhaskararaya’s commentary
    First syllable
    श्री is a conjunct: its first letter, श; the Avakahada chakra counts श as स: सा → Shatabhisha pada 2 → Aquarius (Kumbha) or keeping the vowel, शी: सी → Shatabhisha pada 3 → Aquarius (Kumbha)

  • श्रीविद्या

    ShrividyaGirl

    The sacred knowledge; the Panchadashi mantra

    Source
    Lalita Sahasranama, name 585
    Deity
    Lalita (the Devi)
    Meaning based on
    Bhaskararaya’s commentary
    First syllable
    श्री is a conjunct: its first letter, श; the Avakahada chakra counts श as स: सा → Shatabhisha pada 2 → Aquarius (Kumbha) or keeping the vowel, शी: सी → Shatabhisha pada 3 → Aquarius (Kumbha)

  • श्रुति

    ShrutiGirl

    The Vedas (shruti)

    Source
    Lalita Sahasranama, name 539
    Deity
    Lalita (the Devi)
    Meaning based on
    Bhaskararaya’s commentary
    First syllable
    श्रु is a conjunct: its first letter, श; the Avakahada chakra counts श as स: सा → Shatabhisha pada 2 → Aquarius (Kumbha) or keeping the vowel, शू: सू → Shatabhisha pada 4 → Aquarius (Kumbha)

Names with Sh (श): questions and answers

What is the rashi of a name starting with Sh (श)?

In the Avakahada chakra the rashi of the nakshatra pada a name’s first syllable belongs to is the name rashi. The first syllables of the names on this page: सा (Shatabhisha pada 2, Aquarius (Kumbha)): शंकर, शतानंद, शत्रुघ्न, शत्रुजित and others. सी (Shatabhisha pada 3, Aquarius (Kumbha)): शिव, शिवप्रिया, शिवा, शिशिर. सू (Shatabhisha pada 4, Aquarius (Kumbha)): शुभांग. सो (Purva Bhadrapada pada 2, Aquarius (Kumbha)): शोभन, शोभना, शौरि. This is the name rashi; the birth rashi is the Moon’s rashi at birth, found from the birth panchang.

What does the number next to the source mean?

It is the name’s place in the text: 1 to 1000 in the Vishnu and Lalita Sahasranamas, 1 to 1008 in the Mahabharata’s Shiva Sahasranama as the Gita Press counts it, and 1 to 108 in the Durga Ashtottara Shatanama. Where a name comes more than once, the first number is given.

Must the name begin with the syllable of the birth nakshatra?

Many families keep the custom of giving a name that begins with the syllable of the Moon’s nakshatra pada at birth. That is a matter of family custom. This page gives the pada of each name’s first syllable so the match can be made; the birth pada comes from the birth panchang. Ask your family purohit about the naming rite itself.

Sources

  1. Shiva Sahasranama (Mahabharata): Mahabharata, vol. 6 (Anushasana Parva), Gita Press: numbered, with a Hindi gloss
  2. Shiva Sahasranama (Mahabharata): Mahabharata, Pune critical edition (BORI), Anushasana Parva, sanskritdocuments.org
  3. Vishnu Sahasranama: Mahabharata, vol. 6 (Anushasana Parva), Gita Press: numbered, with a Hindi gloss
  4. Vishnu Sahasranama: Vishnu Sahasranamavali, sanskritdocuments.org
  5. Vishnu Sahasranama: The Vishnu Sahasranama with the Bhashya of Sri Sankaracharya, tr. R. Ananthakrishna Sastry (Theosophical Publishing House, 1927)
  6. Lalita Sahasranama: Lalita Sahasranamavali, sanskritdocuments.org
  7. Lalita Sahasranama: Lalita Sahasranama with Bhaskararaya’s Commentary, tr. R. Ananthakrishna Sastry (2nd ed., 1925)
  8. Name syllables: Brihad Avakahada Chakram, Shatapada Chakra verses 9–15; Pt. Sitarama Sharma, Ati Brihat Avakahada Chakram (1932), pp. 22–26

Something wrong? Report a mistake