Home › Baby Names Directory › Agastya

Agastya

♂ Boy

Pronounced uh-GUS-tyuh /əˈɡʌs.tjə/High

Meaning: From Sanskrit Agastya, one of the Saptarishi (seven great sages) in Hindu tradition; possibly meaning thrower of mountains (from aga, mountain, and as, to throw) or he who humbles the Vindhya mountains; a legendary sage associated with South Indian culture and Tamil literatureHigh

In 30 seconds: Agastya is a Sanskrit name meaning one who humbles mountains, borne by one of the most revered sages in Hindu tradition — credited with bringing the Sanskrit language and Vedic culture to South India and with authoring foundational texts of Tamil literature.
💕 Browse more names
Origin HighSanskrit
MeaningFrom Sanskrit Agastya, one of the Saptarishi (seven great sages) in Hindu tradition; possibly meaning thrower of mountains (from aga, mountain, and as, to throw) or he who humbles the Vindhya mountains; a legendary sage associated with South Indian culture and Tamil literature
U.S. rank (2025)#929 ↗ Rising
2025 U.S. births253 boys (0.01% of U.S. boys)
Peak year2025
Total births (all-time)≈ 1,608

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 202520022025

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

History & Origin

Agastya is one of the Saptarishi — the Seven Great Sages — in Hindu tradition, revered as among the most powerful and learned beings in the cosmos. The name is most often derived from Sanskrit aga (mountain) and as (to throw), meaning thrower of mountains or one who humbles the Vindhya mountains. According to mythology, Agastya commanded the Vindhya mountain range to stop growing (the Vindhyas were blocking sunlight) and traveled south, never returning, so the mountains waited in submission forever. This act made Agastya the patron saint of South India.

Agastya is closely associated with South Indian culture — particularly Tamil, Kannada, and Telugu traditions — where he is credited with creating or transmitting the Tamil language and literature. The Agastya Muni temple tradition is spread across South India and Southeast Asia. As a given name Agastya is used in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and across the South Indian diaspora. In the broader Indian diaspora it carries immense spiritual prestige as the name of a cosmic sage, chosen by parents who want a name of extraordinary mythological depth.

Did you know? Agastya is credited in Hindu mythology with drinking the entire ocean in a single sip to help the gods defeat demons hiding in its depths — making this name belong to a sage of such extraordinary power that even the ocean fell within his capacity, a metaphor for boundless spiritual achievement.
Overall data confidence 87%
Behind the Name — Agastya — Sanskrit etymology and Hindu mythology

Variations

AgasthyaAgastia

Nicknames

AguAg

Famous Bearers

  • Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Agastya…

Valmiki— another of the great Sanskrit sages, author of the Ramayana, with comparable spiritual prestige
Atri— one of the Saptarishi sages sharing Agastya's ancient Vedic cultural pedigree
Kasyapa— a Saptarishi sage in the same mythological tradition as Agastya
Vishwamitra— a great Vedic sage with comparable legendary power and South Asian cultural significance

Frequently Asked

What does the name Agastya mean?

Agastya comes from Sanskrit meaning thrower of mountains or one who humbles the mountains; it is the name of one of the Saptarishi (seven great sages) in Hindu tradition.

How do you pronounce Agastya?

It is said uh-GUS-tyuh — three syllables, stress on the second.

Who was Agastya?

Agastya is one of the seven great sages of Hindu tradition, credited with bringing Vedic culture to South India, creating or transmitting Tamil literature, and performing legendary feats including drinking the ocean.

Is Agastya a South Indian name?

Yes, Agastya is especially revered in South India and is a popular given name in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and the South Indian diaspora.