Kartik

Kartik is a masculine given name of Indian origin that is widely used in India, Nepal, and among the Indian diaspora. The name is commonly linked to Kartikeya, the Hindu god of war and youth, who is also known as Murugan or Skanda. Because of this association, the name is often interpreted as invoking qualities such as courage, vitality, and strength. Kartik is one of several transliterations of the name; common variants include Karthik, Kartick, and Karik.

In contemporary usage, Kartik is used as a standalone first name and as part of longer names. It is also connected to the Hindu lunar month of Kartik, which roughly corresponds to October or November in the Gregorian calendar and is observed with various regional religious practices and festivals.

Notable people named Kartik include Indian actor Kartik Aaryan, known for his work in Hindi cinema, and Tamil film director Kartik Subbaraj. The name appears across different Indian languages and communities, sometimes with slight spelling variations such as Karthik, reflecting regional transliteration conventions.