Home › Baby Names Directory › Harish

Harish

♂ Boy

Pronounced huh-REESH /həˈriːʃ/Medium

Meaning: Harish is a Sanskrit name usually parsed as Hari plus isha, 'lord Hari', a title of Vishnu; some readings connect it to Shiva as well. Hari is a well-known name of Vishnu, and 'isha' means lord or ruler, so the whole reads as 'lord of the gods' or a divine epithet. It reached American records mainly through Indian immigrant families.Medium

In 30 seconds: Harish is a Sanskrit name meaning 'lord Hari', a title of the god Vishnu. It appeared in American records through Indian-American families (said 'huh-REESH').

💕 Browse more names

Origin MediumSanskrit

MeaningHarish is a Sanskrit name usually parsed as Hari plus isha, 'lord Hari', a title of Vishnu; some readings connect it to Shiva as well. Hari is a well-known name of Vishnu, and 'isha' means lord or ruler, so the whole reads as 'lord of the gods' or a divine epithet. It reached American records mainly through Indian immigrant families.

U.S. rank (2022)#13025 ↘ Falling

2022 U.S. births5 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)

Peak year2003

Total births (all-time)≈ 368

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

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

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Harish is a Sanskrit devotional name, Hari ('Vishnu') joined to 'isha' ('lord'). It entered American data through Indian immigration, especially from the seventies onward.

It appears from about 1974 and peaks faintly near 2003, reflecting the growth of Indian-American communities, with use continuing into the twenty-twenties. It has remained rare on the national scale throughout.

Did you know? Harish packs a whole divine title into two syllables: Hari, a name of Vishnu, joined to 'isha', lord - so a Harish is quite literally named for a form of God.

Overall data confidence 60%

References - Harish — Sanskrit Hari + isha, title of Vishnu; Indian-American

Variations

HareeshHarishaHareshHari

Nicknames

HariRish

Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Harish…

Heyansh— shares the -sh ending

Haneesh— a fellow Sanskrit choice

Hanish— a similarly popular pick

Hetansh— another Sanskrit name

Reyansh— echoes that soft -sh sound

Explore names like Harish

By themerare sanskrit indian devotional

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does the name Harish mean?

Harish is a Sanskrit name meaning 'lord Hari', a title of the god Vishnu.

How do you pronounce Harish?

It's said huh-REESH /həˈriːʃ/ - two syllables, stress on the second.

Is Harish a boy or girl name?

Harish is used as a boy's name.

How popular is Harish?

Harish has always been rare in the United States, appearing chiefly among Indian-American families.