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Shiv
Pronounced SHEEV /ΛΚiv/Medium
Meaning: The auspicious one (the god Shiva)Medium
Popularity in the U.S. Β· SSA data
U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880βpresent). Pink marker = peak year.
SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.
History & Origin
It comes from the Sanskrit word meaning auspicious or kind, and it names one of Hinduism's principal deities, Shiva. The fuller forms Shiva and Siva carry the same meaning, while Shib and Sib are regional spellings. As a personal name it places a child under one of the most revered figures in the Hindu tradition.
Short and strong at a single syllable, Shiv is a common given name across India; the businessman Shiv Nadar (born 1945) is a well-known bearer. The variants Shiva and Siva keep the god's name in its complete form.
Variations
Nicknames
Famous Bearers
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Shiv Nadar (1945βpresent)Male public figure listed on Behind the Name.
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Frequently Asked
What does the name Shiv mean?
Shiv comes from Sanskrit Shiva, meaning 'auspicious, gracious, benign', and is a name of the Hindu god Shiva. It is most often linked with Sanskrit, Hindi, and Marathi tradition.
How do you pronounce Shiv?
It's commonly said SHEEV /ΛΚiv/.
Is Shiv a boy or girl name?
In this batch and in recent U.S. usage data, Shiv is used as a boy name.
How popular is Shiv?
In 2024, Shiv ranked #1784 in the U.S. for boys, with 92 births recorded.