Karthik
A boy's name with 1,475 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
At 7 letters and two syllables, Karthik hits the middle ground most parents look for: long enough to feel complete, short enough for everyday use. It has been used as a boy's name in the U.S. since 1977, with 1,475 total recorded births.
Currently ranked #5320, Karthik is familiar enough that people will recognize it but not so common that your child shares it with three classmates.
In the most recent SSA release, Karthik ranks #5320 among U.S. boy names — distinctive enough to stand out.
Karthik is a boy's baby name of Sanskrit origin, a variant of Karthikeya — the name of the Hindu god of war and victory, Murugan. The name derives from the Krittikas (the Pleiades star cluster), meaning 'born of the Pleiades' or 'bestower of happiness.'
One of the most popular masculine names in South India, Karthik is also the name of a sacred Tamil month and festival. It carries both celestial and divine significance across Hindu traditions.
EtymologyShow more
The ending of a name often carries more etymological information than the beginning. Karthik's final sounds are crisp, punchy — giving the name a decisive, no-nonsense quality. In English-language naming, masculine names frequently end on harder consonants or closed syllables, creating a sense of decisiveness and strength. Karthik follows that masculine pattern.
Explore the ending-based name pages on this site to find names that share Karthik's suffix pattern — names with similar endings often share a style and era, even when they come from different linguistic backgrounds.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Karthik was #2620 twenty years ago and has since drifted to #5320, but its charm endures.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 117 | ▼ |
| 2010s | 561 | ▲ |
| 2000s | 500 | ▲ |
| 1990s | 221 | ▲ |
| 1980s | 71 | ▲ |
| 1970s | 5 | — |
The Story of Karthik
A Gen Z name
Peaking in 2010, Karthik is a name that defines a generation. Boys named Karthik are most likely born between 2000 and 2020.
How rare is Karthik?
Only about 1 in every 200,000 babies born in 2024 was named Karthik — a truly uncommon choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1977, gained momentum through the mid-century, peaked in the 2010s with 561 births that decade, and has gracefully settled into a quieter chapter.
Karthik by the numbers
- Would fill 31 school buses
- Meeting one Karthik per day would take 4 years
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(44 years, 1977–2024)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 18 | #5320 |
| 2023 | 21 | #4808 |
| 2022 | 26 | #4140 |
| 2021 | 20 | #4854 |
| 2020 | 32 | #3454 |
| 2019 | 36 | #3224 |
| 2018 | 37 | #3135 |
| 2017 | 41 | #2921 |
| 2016 | 57 | #2318 |
| 2015 | 56 | #2335 |
| 2014 | 63 | #2167 |
| 2013 | 64 | #2101 |
| 2012 | 69 | #2024 |
| 2011 | 59 | #2220 |
| 2010 | 79 | #1847 |
| 2009 | 56 | #2334 |
| 2008 | 57 | #2304 |
| 2007 | 62 | #2176 |
| 2006 | 57 | #2235 |
| 2005 | 44 | #2545 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Karthik a boy's or girl's name?
When was Karthik most popular?
How popular is the name Karthik?
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1977–2024