How Many People Are Named Shiva?
Complete statistics for the name Shiva: rarity score, gender breakdown, age distribution, historical popularity, worldwide data, meaning and origin.
Shiva means 'the destroyer' in Sanskrit, symbolizing transformation and renewal. Only 787 people in the US today share this very rare name, making up just 1 in 419,277 Americans. The majority, 68%, are under 30, highlighting its status as a modern, trendy choice.
📖 Meaning & Origin
Life-path number 5 represents freedom, adventure, and change.
🌍 Worldwide Usage
⚥ Gender Distribution
📊 Births by Age Group
Avg Cohort Age: 23All 802 recorded US births for this name, grouped by the age those individuals would be today. Not adjusted for survival, so the number living today is lower (see the living estimate above).
📈 Popularity Over Time
Peak: 2021Annual US births from SSA records · Trend: Slowly rising
🏆 Name Scorecard
Scores 0–100 based on statistical analysis of US and worldwide name frequency
📜 Shiva Through the Generations
Shiva has seen a steady rise in popularity, peaking in 2021 with 30 births. Today, there are 787 people named Shiva living in the US, with an average age of 23. The age distribution shows a significant skew towards younger individuals, with 545 under 30 and 257 between 30 and 60, indicating that Shiva is predominantly a name chosen by new parents.
📍 State Distribution (Top 10)
🌿 Related Names by Origin
Other names sharing Shiva's Sanskrit roots
📄 About the Name Shiva
How Many People Have the Name Shiva?
Based on Social Security Administration birth records and age-adjusted survival modeling, approximately 247 people in the United States currently share the name Shiva. That works out to roughly 1 in every 1,341,900 Americans, placing it in the Very Rare category.
Is Shiva a Common or Rare Name?
Shiva is classified as Very Rare. The rarity scale runs from Very Common (shared by millions) through Common, Uncommon, Rare, and Very Rare. Understanding where a name sits helps parents gauge uniqueness, genealogists narrow down records, and individuals settle debates about their own name's distinctiveness.
What Does the Name Shiva Mean?
Shiva means "the destroyer" and comes from Sanskrit origins. The name carries a life-path numerology number of 5.
Gender Breakdown
Of all recorded bearers of Shiva in SSA data, approximately 65% are male and 35% are female.
When Was Shiva Most Popular?
The name Shiva reached peak popularity in 2021, with 30 babies registered that year. Current trend: Slowly rising.
How Is This Data Calculated?
All figures are statistical estimates, not exact government headcounts. The underlying data comes from the SSA National Baby Names dataset. Full methodology is explained on the methodology page.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
How many people are named Shiva?
Approximately 247 people named Shiva live in the United States today. All-time US births on record total 247. That works out to roughly 1 in 1,341,900 Americans.
Is Shiva a rare name?
Shiva is classified as Very Rare in the United States. Approximately 1 in every 1,341,900 Americans has this name.
What does the name Shiva mean?
Shiva means "the destroyer" and comes from Sanskrit origins.
Is Shiva more male or female?
Based on SSA records, 65% of people named Shiva are male and 35% are female.
When was Shiva most popular?
Shiva peaked in 2021 with 30 births that year. Current trend: Slowly rising.
How accurate are these statistics?
All figures are statistical estimates based on SSA birth records and age-adjusted modeling. See the methodology page for full details.