shankar

Shankar is a male given name that is also found as a surname in India. It derives from the Sanskrit Śaṅkara, meaning “beneficent” or “one who brings auspiciousness.” In Hindu tradition Śaṅkara is an epithet of Lord Shiva, which gives the name religious and cultural resonance in many communities.

The name is widely used across Indian languages, including Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, and Bengali. It is commonly transliterated as Shankar, Sankar, or Sankara, and may appear as a standalone given name, part of a longer name, or, less frequently, as a middle name or surname.

Shankar has historical and philosophical significance as well. It is associated with Adi Shankaracharya, the 8th-century philosopher who consolidated Advaita Vedanta; the title Shankaracharya is used for the heads of the four monasteries he founded. In modern times, Shankar remains a common given name for men and appears across literature, film, science, politics, and public life in India and among the Indian diaspora.

Variants and related forms include Sankar, Sankara, Shankara, and, when used as a title, Shankaracharya. The name’s enduring appeal reflects its auspicious associations and its integration into diverse linguistic and cultural contexts.