Madhav
Meaningsweet as honey, Krishna · Sanskrit
Madhav is an Indian boy name meaning “sweet as honey, Krishna”, 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, Madhav would score 15 points, thanks largely to the H (worth 4).
- GenerationMadhav is having its moment right now. Most Madhavs 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 Madhav would very likely be the only one. About 1 in 50,251 baby boys got the name in 2025.
- HistoryMadhav first shows up in US birth records in 1992, the first year at least 5 babies got it. It has been in use for 33 years since.
US births per million boys, 1992–2025
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Popularity: U.S. Social Security Administration (babies with 5+ births per year).
About the name Madhav
Madhav is a boy name of Indian origin meaning “sweet as honey, Krishna”. 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 Madhav
What does the name Madhav mean?
Madhav means “sweet as honey, Krishna” and comes from Sanskrit. Other boy names with a similar meaning include Keshav (“long-haired, Krishna”), Shyam (“dark, Krishna”), Pradyumna (“son of Krishna”) and Brijesh (“lord of Braj, Krishna”).
What is the origin of the name Madhav?
Madhav 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 Madhav a boy or girl name?
Madhav is a boy name. In 2025, 34 US boys were named Madhav.
How popular is the name Madhav?
Madhav ranked #3,379 for US boys in 2025, given to 34 babies. Its best year was 2023, when it reached #3,347. Over the last five years it has climbed 1,856 places.
What names are similar to Madhav?
If you like Madhav, you might also like Keshav, Shyam, Pradyumna and Brijesh.
What should I know before naming my baby Madhav?
Madhav is an Indian boy name meaning “sweet as honey, Krishna”, 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.