Atharva
Meaningname of a Veda · Sanskrit
Atharva is an Indian boy name meaning “name of a Veda”, with Sanskrit roots. Sanskrit names are rich in meaning, often drawn from nature, virtues or Hindu tradition. A meaning like this gives a child something to grow into, and a good story to tell when someone asks about their name. It sounds flowing and melodic, it's simple to spell and say, and it pairs well with a short middle name.
Did you know?
- Word funAtharva starts and ends with the same letter, A. A neat little bookend.
- Scrabble scoreIf names were allowed in Scrabble, Atharva would score 13 points, thanks largely to the H (worth 4).
- GenerationAtharva is having its moment right now. Most Atharvas are still in diapers or at preschool, so picture a Gen Alpha or Gen Beta kid.
- Roll callIn a typical school of 500 kids, your Atharva would very likely be the only one. About 1 in 23,697 baby boys got the name in 2025.
- HistoryAtharva first shows up in US birth records in 1999, the first year at least 5 babies got it. It has been in use for 26 years since.
US births per million boys, 1999–2025
Similar names
Save adds it to your list. Vote moves it up the top voted names.
Popularity: U.S. Social Security Administration (babies with 5+ births per year).
About the name Atharva
Atharva is a boy name of Indian origin meaning “name of a Veda”. With 3 syllables it has a flowing, lyrical sound, so a short middle name balances it nicely. It's a fresh, modern name that only arrived in US birth records in recent decades. It's rarely heard today, so it stands out while still being a real, established name.
Origin:Indian names
More Indian boy names
- Unisex name: Makai · toward the sea
- Boy name: Arjun · bright, shining
- Boy name: Zain · beauty, grace
- Unisex name: Idris · possibly studious
- Boy name: Aarav · peaceful, calm
- Unisex name: Rohan · ascending
- Unisex name: Aryan · noble
- Boy name: Ishaan · lord, ruler
Questions about the name Atharva
What does the name Atharva mean?
Atharva means “name of a Veda” and comes from Sanskrit. Other boy names with a similar meaning include Julius (“Roman family name”), Sergio (“Roman family name”), Julio (“Roman family name”) and Agastya (“name of a revered sage”).
What is the origin of the name Atharva?
Atharva is Indian in origin, and its meaning traces back to Sanskrit. Other Indian names to consider are Makai (“toward the sea”), Arjun (“bright, shining”), Zain (“beauty, grace”) and Idris (“possibly studious”).
Is Atharva a boy or girl name?
Atharva is a boy name. In 2025, 72 US boys were named Atharva.
How popular is the name Atharva?
Atharva ranked #2,056 for US boys in 2025, given to 72 babies. Its best year was 2020, when it reached #1,937. Over the last five years it has slipped 119 places.
What names are similar to Atharva?
If you like Atharva, you might also like Julius, Sergio, Julio and Agastya.
What should I know before naming my baby Atharva?
Atharva is an Indian boy name meaning “name of a Veda”, with Sanskrit roots. Sanskrit names are rich in meaning, often drawn from nature, virtues or Hindu tradition. A meaning like this gives a child something to grow into, and a good story to tell when someone asks about their name. It sounds flowing and melodic, it's simple to spell and say, and it pairs well with a short middle name. Say it out loud with your last name and any middle names you're considering, and check the initials it makes.