Dhanush
Meaningbow · Sanskrit
Dhanush is an Indian boy name meaning “bow”, 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 crisp and confident, it's simple to spell and say, and it pairs well with middle names of almost any length.
Did you know?
- Scrabble scoreIf names were allowed in Scrabble, Dhanush would score 14 points, thanks largely to the H (worth 4).
- GenerationDhanush peaked in 2011, which makes it a Gen Z name. The typical Dhanush you'd meet today is about 14 years old.
- Roll callIn a typical school of 500 kids, your Dhanush would very likely be the only one. About 1 in 344,828 baby boys got the name in 2025.
- HistoryDhanush first shows up in US birth records in 2003, the first year at least 5 babies got it. That makes it a fairly new name, younger than many of today's parents.
US births per million boys, 2003–2025
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Popularity: U.S. Social Security Administration (babies with 5+ births per year).
About the name Dhanush
Dhanush is a boy name of Indian origin meaning “bow”. Its two syllables give it an easy rhythm, and the consonant at the end gives it a confident finish. It's a fresh, modern name that only arrived in US birth records in recent decades and is still gaining fans. 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 Dhanush
What does the name Dhanush mean?
Dhanush means “bow” and comes from Sanskrit. Other boy names with a similar meaning include Ivar (“bow warrior”) and Iver (“yew bow warrior”).
What is the origin of the name Dhanush?
Dhanush 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 Dhanush a boy or girl name?
Dhanush is a boy name. In 2025, 5 US boys were named Dhanush.
How popular is the name Dhanush?
Dhanush ranked #12,008 for US boys in 2025, given to 5 babies. Its best year was 2011, when it reached #6,256. Over the last five years it has climbed 14 places.
What names are similar to Dhanush?
If you like Dhanush, you might also like Ivar and Iver.
What should I know before naming my baby Dhanush?
Dhanush is an Indian boy name meaning “bow”, 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 crisp and confident, it's simple to spell and say, and it pairs well with middle names of almost any length. Say it out loud with your last name and any middle names you're considering, and check the initials it makes.