Karthik Name Meaning, Origin, History, And Popularity (2025)

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Origin, Meaning, And History Of Karthik

Originating from Sanskrit, Karthik is a masculine name commonly used in southern India. It is often interpreted as ‘one who gives or bestows courage’ and ‘bestower of happiness.’ Etymologically, Karthik is a variant of the Hindi name Kartik, which comes from the Sanskrit term krttika. This Sanskrit term means ‘the cutters’ since it derives from the term krt, which means ‘to cut’ or ‘to divide.’ Krttika is also the name for the open star cluster of the Pleiades.

Karthik is also considered a variant of the Hindu name Kartikeya. As a derivation of the term krttika, it means ‘the cutters.’ However, it gained the meaning ‘of the Krittikas’ due to its association with the Hindu god of war. Kartikeya is the Hindu god of war whom the six Krittika sisters raised. This Hindu deity is also commonly known as Lord Murugan, which translates to ‘handsome.’

Karthik is also considered a variant of Karthikeya, an alternative spelling of Kartikeya. Another common variant of Karthik is the Indonesian name Kartika, which means ‘star.’ It is also the name of one of the months of Vikrama Samvat, the historical Hindu calendar. Additionally, the feminine variant of this celestial name is Karthika, which is a staple in Tamil and Malayalam cultures. Numerous adorable nicknames are also suggested for this versatile name, including Karthi, Kart, Karth, Karthy, Karthu, Kartho, Kari, and Kiki.

Therefore, Karthik connotes the celestial beauty of stars and the strength and beauty of a Hindu deity. The name is significant not just because of its connection to Hinduism but because of its connotations of bravery and happiness. It signifies the victory of good over all evil, making it a perfect match if you’re looking for a name with great significance in Indian culture.

How To Pronounce Karthik?

‘Karthik’ In QR Code

Here's a unique feature for the modern, tech-savvy, and curious parents – have your baby's name in a QR code. If you want your close circle to know your newborn's name, all you need to do is simply scan and share it. The code not only shows the name but its meaning as well; this means you don't have to painfully explain the meaning of your baby's name anymore! So, go ahead. Download, save, and share it with your family and friends, or use it to create personalized keepsakes for your little one.

Notable People Named Karthik

This section covers people who have made the name Karthik famous with their contributions in various fields. It indeed is a little more inspiration for you to choose the name for your baby, don’t you think?

• Karthik JayaramActor
• Karthik KumarActor and entrepreneur
• Karthik SubbarajFilm director and writer

Karthik On The Popularity Chart

Societal influences, family traditions, latest trends, and timeless appeal are a few criteria that shape the choices of parents in naming their newest family members. In this section, we show you how the popularity of Karthik has trended over the years in the US, in absolute numbers (per million) as well as in its ranking.

Popularity Over Time

As per the SSA, data covering the name Karthik spans 43 years, with the trend starting in 1980 and lasting until 2022. In 2010, the name reached its peak popularity, given to 79 in every million babies. The name had 20 records in 2021.

Source: Social Security Administration

Rank Over Time

Karthik's ranking has fluctuated over time, rising at intervals and then dipping, reflecting its varying popularity. In 1981, Karthik was ranked 4744, it was 2375 in 2003 and 4785 in 2023.

Source: Social Security Administration

Popularity Within US States

If you're living in the US, you might be curious about the popularity of Karthik in your own state, a state you're considering moving to, or one with which you have a connection. Use the drop-down menu below to select any US state and discover the name's popularity within that region.

California

Texas

Karthik Name’s Presence On Social Media

Before you finalize your baby’s name, you would want to assess if the name is rare or popular. Digital footprint of the name - it’s presence on the internet and social media platforms - can provide you with valuable insights on it’s popularity. A name’s online presence is an important metric for new parents to evaluate their options and make an informed choice. How many people are searching the name on Google, how many profiles are there on Facebook, does the name have a Wikipedia page? Such information surely tells you if the name is ubiquitous or unique. Here is how Karthik fares on that count.

Karthik’s Mention In Fictional Works

Names With Similar Sound As Karthik

If you liked the sound of Karthik but searching for a name with a different meaning, you may find that right one from our similar-sounding names.

Popular Sibling Names For Karthik

If you are looking for some matching sibling names that resonate with Karthik, check our suggestions here.

Other Popular Names Beginning With K

Looking for more baby names starting with the letter K to resonate with your family’s naming tradition or to rhyme with the sibling names? Find a range of alternative names starting with this letter.

Names With Similar Meaning As Karthik

Discover names synonymous with Karthik’s meaning. Explore alternatives, each with a unique charm but that mirrors the meaning.

Popular Songs On The Name Karthik

Acrostic Poem On Karthik

Dive into the lyrical charm of the name Karthik with this acrostic poem. Witness how each letter paints together a story, capturing the name’s individuality, strength, vitality, and sophistication. Inspiring, is it? Why not try a similar poem that describes what you think of your baby’s personality?

K

Knowledgeable and wise, you know no vice.

Adorable Nicknames For Karthik

Nicknames are an integral part of your communication with your baby. You tend to use several variations of your child’s name; some are meaningful, while others are simply adorable sounds. Here are a few nicknames you can begin with for the name Karthik.

• Karth
• Kari
• K-Tik
• Kartho
• Karkar

Karthik’s Zodiac Sign As Per Western Astrology

Western astrology includes the construction of a horoscope based on the person’s exact time of birth and location to understand the positions of the planet, stars, and zodiac signs at that time. However, in popular culture, it is often narrowed down to the sun sign, which depends on the person’s birth date.There are 12 zodiac signs, each having dominant traits, planetary rulers, elemental connection, and more.

Zodiac sign or Sun sign

The Earth’s orbit around the sun is divided into 12 zodiac signs covering 30-degree sectors. According to Western astrology, the zodiac or sun sign depends on the sun’s position in one of these sectors at the time of your birth. Starting from the sun’s position at the March equinox, the chart goes anti-clockwise from Aries, followed by Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius, and Pisces. These signs are ruled by planetary bodies - Mars, Venus, Mercury, Moon, Sun, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune. Furthermore, they are categorized into triplicities or elemental signs - fire, water, air, and earth - that govern their characteristics. Each of these zodiac signs features certain personality traits that may determine how a person presents themselves.

Why the date of birth matters

Each zodiac sign in Western astrology is linked to a specific range of dates in the year. Unlike Vedic astrology, where names can sometimes be used to infer astrological details, Western astrology relies entirely on the birth date.

To know more about your baby’s zodiac sign, choose the period in which your baby’s date of birth falls, from the options given below. This will give you a glimpse into the world of astrology tailored for your baby.

Karthik’s Zodiac Sign And Birth Star As Per Vedic Astrology

Karthik Personality Traits As Per Numerology

The numerology belief system envisages a relationship between a name and numbers. The related numbers are believed to give insights into a person’s character. We have researched this area to connect the numerology-based characteristic traits to the letters of the English alphabet. And the results are fascinating.

Numerology followers believe that each letter signifies attributes that can influence a person’s attitude and approach. Among these placements, the most significant are the first letter (Cornerstone) and the last letter (Capstone) of a name. Cornerstone highlights your primary personality traits and explains how you face challenges and opportunities in life. Capstone can tell you about your approach to work and how you complete them. Often, a letter may be repeated twice or more in a name. This repetition signifies the intensification or amplification of the traits associated with the letter in an individual’s personality.

Read to know what characteristics the name Karthik is known for in numerology. Here we have avoided repetition of letters and added them just once for a better reading experience.

Infographic: Know The Name Karthik‘s Personality As Per Numerology

Illustration: Momjunction Design Team

Karthik In Different Languages

Karthik In Fancy Fonts

Visualize your little one’s name in different captivating fonts. You can use these fancy styles on birth announcement cards, nursery decorations, personalized gifts, to name a few. Select the perfect font from these options for a touch of personalization.

• Double Struck Font

  𝕂 𝕒 𝕣 𝕥 𝕙 𝕚 𝕜

• Bold Script Font

  𝓚 𝓪 𝓻 𝓽 𝓱 𝓲 𝓴

• Fancy Style 35 Font

  κ α r † h ï κ

• Fancy Style 7 Font

  Ҝ Δ Ř Ŧ Ħ Ɨ Ҝ

• Love Font

  K♥ a♥ r♥ t♥ h♥ i♥ k♥

• Black Square Font

  🅺 🅰 🆁 🆃 🅷 🅸 🅺

• Hand Writing 2 Font

  K α ɾ ƚ ԋ ι ƙ

• X Above Bellow Font

  K͓̽ a͓̽ r͓̽ t͓̽ h͓̽ i͓̽ k͓̽

Liked our fancy fonts for Karthik? Why not go a step forward with these beautiful posters? They are perfect to download and use as display pictures or social media posts! You may also use them as part of decorating your child’s room. These personalized wallpapers celebrate the positive vibes of the name, offering a unique way to show how much this name means to you. What’s more! You have multiple options here to choose depending on your mood or occasion.

Karthik 3D Wallpaper

Illustration: MomJunction Design Team

Download

Karthik Birthday Wallpaper

Illustration: MomJunction Design Team

Download

‘I Love Karthik’ Wallpaper

Illustration: MomJunction Design Team

Download

Stylish Karthik Wallpaper

Illustration: MomJunction Design Team

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Karthik Name Initial Wallpaper

Illustration: MomJunction Design Team

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How To Communicate The Name Karthik In Sign Languages

In Nautical Flags

Karthik

In Sign Language

Karthik

In Braille Alphabet

Karthik

In Morse Code

Karthik

In Barcode

In Binary

01001011 01100001 01110010 01110100 01101000 01101001 01101011

Name Numerology For Karthik

33

Destiny Number

You influence others on spiritual empowerment. You play a key role in situations, which require emotional healing and recovery.

5

Personality Number

Community leaders, who are socially active and involve others. Adventurous, highly passionate, love traveling, and typically athletic. You are drawn to anything that is stimulating such as food, drugs, alcohol, sex and more.

1

Soul Number

Independent, and have a strong desire to become a leader in your respective field. You long to be in complete control of your destiny.

Baby Name Lists Containing Karthik

Read through our baby name lists that include the name Karthik and several other similar names. The wider the choice, the better your selection. Isn't it?

• Baby Boy Names With Meanings›
• Baby Boy Names That Start With Letter K›
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• Indian Baby Names Starting With Letter K›
• Indian Baby Boy Names, Starting With Letter K›
• Hinduism Baby Names With Meanings›
• Hinduism Baby Names Starting With Letter K›
• Hinduism Baby Boy Names, Starting With Letter K›
• 250 Modern Indian Baby Boy Names For 2024›

Karthik In Literature

Karthik has captured the imagination of storytellers over the years. Here’s a list of literary works carrying the name Karthik.

• By karthik gurumurthy - pro wicket: 1st (first) edition
• What's wrong with you, karthik?
• Fly, little fish! (hardcover) [hardcover] [jan 01, 2017] lavanya karthik
• Karthik delivers

Movie Titles Inspired By The Name Karthik

Discover the presence of Karthik in an array of films. Know about the various movies that have this name.

Movie title	Other titles	Release year
Detective Karthik		2023
Prematho Mee Karthik		2017
Karthik Calling Karthik	K.C.K., Karthik llamando a Karthik, Ligando para Mim, Картик звонит Картику, कार्तिक कालिंग कार्तिक	2010

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the meaning of the name Karthik?

The name Karthik means name of a hindu month, lord murugan, and demon slayer.

2. What is the origin of the name Karthik?

Karthik has an Indian origin.

3. How to pronounce the name Karthik?

Karthik is pronounced as kar-thik.

References

MomJunction's articles are written after analyzing the research works of expert authors and institutions. Our references consist of resources established by authorities in their respective fields. You can learn more about the authenticity of the information we present in our editorial policy.

1. Astrology, Hermes (2023); Astrology for Beginners.
   https://www.researchgate.net/publication/370635414_Astrology_for_Beginners
2. Shirley Lawrence; The Secret Science of Numerology: The Hidden Meaning of Numbers and Letters.
   https://www.academia.edu/97492675/The_Secret_Science_of_Numerology_The_Hidden_Meaning_of_Numbers_and_Letters_Shirley_Lawrence&nav_from=a3c5c3fd-555f-4584-b66d-4a3c8023402e&rw_pos=0
3. Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopaedia; “zodiac”; Encyclopedia Britannica.
   https://www.britannica.com/topic/zodiac
4. P.V.R. Narasimha Rao; Vedic Astrology: An Integrated Approach.
   https://www.vedicastrologer.org/articles/vedic_astro_textbook.pdf
5. Paulo Martins; A Concise History of Hindu Astrology and Indian Spirituality; Scholars Journal of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences.
   https://www.saspublishers.com/media/articles/SJAHSS_112_33-36_FT_MAEgJAB.pdf
6. International Phonetic Association.
   https://www.internationalphoneticassociation.org/
7. Adam Szczegielniak; Phonetics: The Sounds of Language; Harvard University.
   https://scholar.harvard.edu/files/adam/files/phonetics.ppt.pdf
8. Lalita K. Wani et al; Review of Scientific Analysis Of Sacred Sound OM (AUM); Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (JETIR), Novermber 2020.
   https://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2011207.pdf

Look Up For Many More Names

Do you have a name in mind and want to know more about it? Or want to find names belonging to a particular origin, religion, or having a specific meaning? Use our search tool below to explore more baby names with different combinations.

Phonemic Representation Of Karthik

Phonemics is the study of a language’s distinctive sound units (phonemes), as standardized by the International Phonetics Association. When choosing a name for your baby, knowing its phonemic pronunciation gives an idea about the name’s sound pattern and auditory appeal. You can assess the name’s ease of pronunciation, memorability, and softness. Here is the phonemic transcription of Karthik in American and British accents.

• In American English: /ˈkɑrθɪk/
• In British English: /ˈkɑːθɪk/

Pronunciation of names, in fact, any spoken word, involves the participation of various parts of the mouth, vocal cord, nose, and lungs. Underneath all the sounds we make is the airstream flowing from the lungs and moving up to the mouth. It’s incredible how lips, tongue, teeth, alveolar ridge, palate, glottis, and larynx work harmoniously to bring out the words. Studies have proved that positive sounds like OM (AUM) help maintain hormonal balance and mental health and reduce stress and anxiety. So, what parts does Karthik trigger? Find the details here; the sound of Karthik might bring in more positive vibes into your life!

Phoneme	Articulation
/k/	Raising the back of the tongue to the soft palate or velum. Airflow stops for a fraction of a second
/ɑ/	Tongue low back, open mouth. Airflow is continuous
/r/	Curling back the tip of the tongue behind the alveolar ridge. Causes some obstruction of the airstream in the mouth
/θ/	Putting the tongue between or against the upper and lower teeth. Severely obstructs the airflow and causes friction
/ɪ/	Tongue high front, less spread lips. Airflow is continuous
/k/	Raising the back of the tongue to the soft palate or velum. Airflow stops for a fraction of a second

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Dr. Khushboo Parth PancholiMSc, Diploma in Ayurvedic Medicines, Astrologer, Numerologist

Dr. Khushboo Parth Pancholi is an Ayurveda and alternative healing practitioner. She is the founder of Vedic Bliss, which offers online and offline consultation services in astrologer, numerology, palmistry, Reiki healing, Vastu and Fengshui.

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