Kartiki

Kartiki is a feminine given name used in India, Nepal, and among South Asian communities. It is derived from Sanskrit elements related to the Hindu calendar month Kartik and the name Kartika (or Kartikeya, the Hindu god Murugan). As such, the name is often associated with the month of Kartik, and in some contexts may be interpreted as meaning “born in Kartik” or “belonging to Kartika.” The spelling Kardiki or Kartika are common variants, with Kartiki representing a widely used transliteration in several Indian languages.

In contemporary usage, Kartiki appears as a first name for girls in various Indian languages and among the Indian diaspora. The name can be found across different communities and regions, with transliteration differences reflecting local scripts and phonology.

Notable people named Kartiki include Kartiki Gonsalves, an Indian documentary filmmaker. She directed The Elephant Whisperers (2022), a documentary that examines the care of two baby elephants and the bond formed with their caregivers. The film received international recognition, including winning the Academy Award for Best Documentary Short Subject at the 95th Academy Awards in 2023.

See also: Kartik, Kartika, and Kartikeya, names related in origin and cultural context to Kartiki, and variations in spelling and usage across languages.