Ganesh is a popular male given name of Sanskrit origin that is widely recognized in India and among the Hindu diaspora worldwide. It is derived from the Sanskrit word "gana," which means "group" or "crowd," and "isha," meaning "lord" or "leader." Thus, the name Ganesh translates to "Lord of the Group" or "Lord of Hosts."
The name Ganesh is deeply rooted in Hindu mythology and is associated with the elephant-headed god of the same name. According to legend, Ganesh was created by the Hindu deity Parvati, who shaped him out of turmeric paste from her own body and brought him to life. When Parvati's husband, Lord Shiva, returned home and saw this stranger guarding their home, he became angry and cut off Ganesh's head with his trident.
Parvati was devastated by her son's death and cursed Shiva for his actions. To appease his wife and restore balance, Shiva sent his ganas (attendants) to find the first living being they could see with its head facing northward. They returned with an elephant's head, which Shiva placed onto Ganesh's body, restoring him to life.
From then on, Ganesh was worshipped as the remover of obstacles and the god of wisdom and intellect. He is invoked before starting any new venture or journey, as he is believed to grant success and prosperity. Ganesh is also considered the patron deity of arts and sciences, and his elephant head symbolizes wisdom, prudence, and intelligence.
In India, Ganesh is celebrated annually during the festival of Ganesh Chaturthi, which falls on the fourth day of the waxing moon period in the month of Bhadrapada (August-September). During this time, beautifully crafted clay idols of Ganesh are immersed in bodies of water to symbolize his journey home after granting boons and blessings to his devotees.
As a given name, Ganesh continues to be popular among Hindus worldwide, with many parents choosing it for their sons in hopes that the divine qualities associated with the god will be bestowed upon them. The name is also known for its uniqueness and cultural significance, making it a popular choice for parents looking for distinctive names for their children.
The name Ganesh has been a relatively uncommon choice for newborns in the United States over the past four decades, with a total of 290 babies given this name since 1977.
The earliest record of the name's usage is from 1977, with five births that year. The number of newborns named Ganesh fluctuated annually, ranging from a low of five to a high of fourteen births in any given year.
The most popular years for the name were between 1993 and 2005, during which time it was consistently among the top ten names each year. In particular, 14 babies were named Ganesh in both 1993 and 2007, indicating a brief period of popularity.
However, after 2005, the usage of the name declined significantly, with fewer than ten births annually until 2021. Despite this decrease, there has been a recent resurgence in the name's popularity, with six births recorded in both 2017 and 2021.
Overall, while Ganesh may not be one of the most popular baby names in the United States, its usage has varied over time, with periods of increased popularity followed by declines. Nevertheless, it remains a unique and uncommon name choice for parents looking to give their child a distinctive moniker.