Aniket is a name of Indian origin, derived from the Sanskrit language. It is composed of two words: 'An' and 'Iket'. 'An' means 'not' or 'without', while 'Iket' signifies 'difficulty' or 'hardship'. Therefore, the name Aniket translates to 'without difficulty'.
The name Aniket is associated with a popular Indian mythological figure, Lord Ganesha. According to Hindu mythology, Ganesha was born from the forehead of his mother Parvati when she created him using turmeric paste and breathed life into him. When Lord Shiva tried to cut off his head in a fit of rage, Goddess Parvati cursed Shiva for his actions. To appease her, Shiva sent his ganas (followers) to fetch the head of the first creature they meet that is facing northwards. Unbeknownst to them, Ganesha was facing northwards and thus, he became the first being they encountered. However, when they returned with Ganesha's head, Shiva decided not to take it back as it was his son's head. Instead, he placed it on Ganesha's body and brought him back to life.
In this context, Aniket is believed to be one of the names of Lord Ganesha, symbolizing his ability to remove obstacles from one's path without causing any difficulty or hardship. The name is often given to children born under specific stars or planetary configurations in Hindu astrology, as it is considered auspicious and brings good fortune.
In conclusion, Aniket is a name of Indian origin that translates to 'without difficulty'. It is associated with Lord Ganesha, the Hindu god known for removing obstacles and bringing good luck. The name is believed to bring prosperity and happiness to those who bear it.
The name Aniket had a noticeable peak in popularity between 2001 and 2004, with 18, 23, 29, and 17 births respectively during these years. However, there was a significant drop after 2004, with fewer than 20 births per year until 2016 when it rose again to 11 births. The most recent data shows a consistent decrease in the number of babies named Aniket, with only 5 births recorded in 2021 and 6 in 2023. Overall, from 1996 to 2023, there were a total of 326 babies named Aniket.