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Home › Baby Names Directory › Shanmukh

Shanmukh

♂ Boy

Pronounced SHAHN-mook /ˈʃɑːn.mʊk/Medium

Meaning: From Sanskrit shanmukha, 'six-faced' (shash, 'six' + mukha, 'face') — a devotional name of Kartikeya, also called Murugan or Skanda, the six-faced Hindu god of war and son of Shiva.Medium

In 30 seconds: A devotional Sanskrit name: Shanmukh means 'six-faced', a name of the god Kartikeya (said 'SHAHN-mook'). We note the deity respectfully.
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Origin MediumSanskrit
MeaningFrom Sanskrit shanmukha, 'six-faced' (shash, 'six' + mukha, 'face') — a devotional name of Kartikeya, also called Murugan or Skanda, the six-faced Hindu god of war and son of Shiva.
U.S. rank (2024)#13873 ↘ Falling
2024 U.S. births5 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)
Peak year2022
Total births (all-time)≈ 43

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 202220102024

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

Shanmukh comes from Sanskrit shanmukha, 'six-faced', a devotional epithet of Kartikeya (Murugan, Skanda), the six-faced god of war and son of Shiva. It is especially common in South India, where Murugan devotion runs deep. We note the sacred association respectfully. Strong, resonant, and clearly Sanskrit (said 'SHAHN-mook').

In the U.S. it appears only rarely, carried by Indian-American families. Rare, devotional, and rooted.

Did you know? Shanmukh is one of the many names of Kartikeya, also known as Murugan — depicted with six faces, one for each of the six directions he watches over. We note the devotional root respectfully (said 'SHAHN-mook').
Overall data confidence 58%
References — Shanmukh — Sanskrit 'six-faced'; epithet of Kartikeya/Murugan

Variations

ShanmukhaShanmugamShanmuk

Nicknames

ShanMukh

Famous Bearers

  • Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Shanmukh…

Kartik— another name of the same deity
Skanda— a further name of Kartikeya
Arjun— a like Sanskrit classic for boys
Mayukh— echoes that soft -kh sound
Shriyan— shares Shanmukh's Sanskrit roots

Explore names like Shanmukh

By themesanskritindianhindudevotional
By meaningGod / DivineWarrior

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Shanmukh mean?

Shanmukh is Sanskrit for 'six-faced' — a devotional name of Kartikeya (Murugan), the six-faced Hindu god of war.

How do you pronounce Shanmukh?

It's said SHAHN-mook /ˈʃɑːn.mʊk/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Shanmukh a boy or girl name?

Shanmukh is a boy's name.

How popular is Shanmukh?

Shanmukh is a rare name for boys in the U.S., more familiar in South India.

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