Mahavir
Meaninggreat hero · Sanskrit
Mahavir is an Indian boy name meaning “great hero”, 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?
- Hidden namesLook closely: Mahavir has the name Avi hiding inside it.
- Scrabble scoreIf names were allowed in Scrabble, Mahavir would score 15 points, thanks largely to the H (worth 4).
- GenerationMahavir peaked in 2018, which makes it a Gen Alpha name. The typical Mahavir you'd meet today is about 7 years old.
- HistoryMahavir first shows up in US birth records in 2018, 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, 2018–2025
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 Mahavir
Mahavir is a boy name of Indian origin meaning “great hero”. 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 Mahavir
What does the name Mahavir mean?
Mahavir means “great hero” and comes from Sanskrit. Other boy names with a similar meaning include Dylan (“great tide”), Grant (“tall, great”), Magnus (“great”) and Kabir (“great”).
What is the origin of the name Mahavir?
Mahavir 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 Mahavir a boy or girl name?
Mahavir is a boy name.
How popular is the name Mahavir?
Mahavir is rare: fewer than 5 US boys got it in 2025, and it was last given to 5 or more in 2018. It peaked at #12,156 in 2018, so it's a name with history that few kids share today.
What names are similar to Mahavir?
If you like Mahavir, you might also like Dylan, Grant, Magnus and Kabir.
What should I know before naming my baby Mahavir?
Mahavir is an Indian boy name meaning “great hero”, 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.