Name Meaning & Origin
"The brother of Madri (mother of Nakula and Sahadeva), as well as the ruler of the Madra kingdom in the Mahabharata."
Data last updated: 2025 SSA records
Shalya is a major character in the Mahabharata, one of two Sanskrit epics of Ancient India. He was a powerful king from the Bahlika clan, ruling over the Madra kingdom in the Northwest region of the Indian subcontinent. Although he was the brother of Madri, the wife of Pandu, Shalya sided with the Kauravas in the Kurukshetra War. Despite his allegiance, he supported the Pandavas and wished for their victory. While he initially fought as a key warrior for the Kauravas, he was made Karna’s charioteer and, following Karna’s death, was appointed as the commander-in-chief of the Kaurava forces. Shalya was killed by the eldest Pandava, Yudhishthira.
Shalya is a major character in the Mahabharata, one of two Sanskrit epics of Ancient India. He was a powerful king from the Bahlika clan, ruling over the Madra kingdom in the Northwest region of the Indian subcontinent. Although he was the brother of Madri, the wife of Pandu, Shalya sided with the Kauravas in the Kurukshetra War. Despite his allegiance, he supported the Pandavas and wished for their victory. While he initially fought as a key warrior for the Kauravas, he was made Karna’s charioteer and, following Karna’s death, was appointed as the commander-in-chief of the Kaurava forces. Shalya was killed by the eldest Pandava, Yudhishthira.
Life Path 3 — Creativity & Expression: Charismatic, artistic, and highly communicative.
Age breakdown · state data · decade charts · popularity trend — all on the full statistics page.
Root element "Shalya" emerges in Multiple origins tradition, carrying the core meaning "The brother of Madri (mother of Nakula and Sahadeva), as well as the ruler of the Madra kingdom in the Mahabharata.".
Used in English literary and religious texts, spreading through cultural exchange.
Carried across regions through trade, religion, and migration. Multiple spelling variants develop.
Standardized in its current form. Continues to be used across multiple cultures worldwide.
~27 people named Shalya in the US. Peaked in 1996 with 6 recorded uses.
The Life Path number for Shalya is 3, associated with Creativity & Expression. Soul Urge: 2. Personality: 1.
Shalya is Predominantly Female. Based on US data, 0% male and 100% female.
Approximately 27 people in the United States are named Shalya. The name peaked in 1996 with 6 recorded uses.
From Our Database
🔍 Look up another name's meaning