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Home › Baby Names Directory › Mahadev

Mahadev

♂ Boy

Pronounced muh-hah-DEV /mə.hɑˈdɛv/Medium

Meaning: From the Sanskrit, 'the great god' (maha, 'great', + deva, 'god') — a name of the Hindu god Shiva; a deity name; we note the deity nameLow

In 30 seconds: The great god: Mahadev is Sanskrit. Lyrical, devout, and warm (said 'muh-hah-DEV').
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Origin LowSanskrit
MeaningFrom the Sanskrit, 'the great god' (maha, 'great', + deva, 'god') — a name of the Hindu god Shiva; a deity name; we note the deity name
U.S. rank (2025)#9399 ↘ Falling
2025 U.S. births8 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)
Peak year2024
Total births (all-time)≈ 50

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 202420062025

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

Mahadev comes from the Sanskrit, 'the great god' (maha, 'great', + deva, 'god') — a name of the Hindu god Shiva (a deity name; we note the deity name). A lyrical, devout name (said 'muh-hah-DEV').

In the U.S. it appears in Hindu families. Rare, the-great-god at the root, and devout.

Did you know? Mahadev means 'the great god' in Sanskrit (maha, 'great', + deva, 'god') — a name of the Hindu god Shiva — lyrical and devout (we note the deity name; said 'muh-hah-DEV').
Overall data confidence 38%
References — Mahadev — deity name noted

Variations

MahadevaMahesh

Nicknames

Dev

Famous Bearers

  • Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Mahadev…

Devansh— a sound-neighbor Dev- Sanskrit boys' name
Shivansh— a fellow Shiva-linked boys' name
Dev— a short 'god' form
Aviraj— another Sanskrit name
Agasthya— another Sanskrit name

Explore names like Mahadev

By themesanskritsouth-asiandeity-name
By meaningGod / Divine

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Mahadev mean?

Mahadev is Sanskrit for 'the great god' — a name of the Hindu god Shiva. We note the deity name.

How do you pronounce Mahadev?

It's said muh-hah-DEV /mə.hɑˈdɛv/ — three syllables, stress on the last.

Is Mahadev a boy or girl name?

Mahadev is a boy's name.

How popular is Mahadev?

Mahadev is a very rare name in the U.S.

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