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Updated June 9, 2019

Boy name origins & meanings

  • Hindi : He who gives happiness

How Popular Is The Name Shankar

Family name origins & meanings

  • Indian (southern states) : Hindu name from Sanskrit šankara ‘one who brings about happiness or prosperity’ (from Sanskrit šam ‘happiness’, ‘prosperity’ + -kara ‘causing’). This is an epithet of the god Shiva. It is a variant of Sankaran among people who have migrated from Kerala and Tamil Nadu. In India it is found only as a male personal name, but has come to be used as a family name in the U.S. among South Indians.

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