Keshav is a masculine given name of Sanskrit origin, derived from the Hindu epic, the Mahabharata. It means "Lord of the Universe" or "God of Wealth and Prosperity." According to Hindu mythology, Keshav is one of the many names of Lord Krishna, an avatar of Lord Vishnu, the preserver of the universe.
In Hinduism, Keshav is often used as a name for boys born into families who worship Lord Vishnu. It is also commonly found among people practicing the Vaishnavism sect of Hinduism, which reveres Vishnu and his avatars, including Krishna. The name Keshav has been popular in India for centuries and can be traced back to ancient Hindu texts.
Historically, Keshav was used as a title by many Indian rulers and nobles due to its religious significance. It also gained popularity among the educated elite during the British Raj when many Indians adopted English names alongside their traditional ones.
Today, Keshav continues to be popular in India and among the Indian diaspora around the world. It is often given to boys with the hope that they will grow up to be prosperous, wise, and godly, reflecting the qualities associated with Lord Vishnu and his avatar Krishna. Despite its religious origins, Keshav can be used by people of any faith or background who appreciate its unique meaning and sound.
In conclusion, Keshav is a masculine given name of Sanskrit origin that holds significant religious and historical importance in India. With its profound meaning and timeless appeal, it continues to be chosen by parents for their sons, carrying with it the blessings of Lord Vishnu and the promise of prosperity and wisdom.
The name Keshav has been quite popular among parents in the United States over the past few decades, with a total of 1,302 babies given this name between 1987 and 2023.
According to the data provided, the popularity of the name Keshav began to rise in the mid-1990s. In fact, the number of births for this name more than doubled from 12 in 1995 to 24 in 1997. This trend continued into the new millennium, with a peak of 64 births recorded in 2023.
It's interesting to note that there were two periods where the number of births for the name Keshav saw significant increases: from 2000 to 2001, when the number of births jumped from 33 to 41, and again from 2021 to 2022, with a jump from 45 to 46. This suggests that there may have been specific factors influencing parents' choice of name during these years.
Overall, while the popularity of the name Keshav has fluctuated over time, it has remained relatively steady since the late 1990s. It will be interesting to see if this trend continues in the coming years and whether the number of births for this name remains high or declines.