Abhinav is a male given name of Sanskrit origin. It is composed of two words: "Abhi" which means "towards" or "till", and "Nava" which means "new". Therefore, the literal meaning of Abhinav is "towards the new".
The name Abhinav has been used in India for centuries, with notable figures bearing this name throughout history. One such figure is Abhinavagupta (950-1020 AD), a renowned scholar and philosopher from Kashmir who was known for his works on aesthetics and philosophy.
In Hinduism, Abhinav is also the name of a sage who appears in the ancient Indian epic Mahabharata. This character is revered as one of the seven sages or Rishis who are believed to have authored the Vedas, the holy scriptures of Hinduism.
Today, Abhinav continues to be a popular name among Indians and those with an interest in Sanskrit names. It is often chosen by parents for their children due to its meaningful translation and historic significance.
The name Abhinav has seen a significant rise in popularity over the past three decades in the United States. According to the statistics provided, the number of babies named Abhinav increased from just 8 in 1990 to a peak of 133 in 2008. This marked a 16-fold increase in popularity within those eighteen years.
The name's popularity continued to grow throughout the early 2000s, reaching its peak between 2005 and 2008. However, since then, there has been a steady decline in the number of babies named Abhinav each year. In 2023, only 21 births were recorded with this name, which is a significant drop from the peak seen fifteen years ago.
Overall, looking at the data from 1990 to 2023, there have been a total of 1938 births in the United States where Abhinav was chosen as the baby's name. Despite the recent decline in popularity, it is clear that this name has made a significant impact on the naming trends in the U.S. over the past three decades.
It's fascinating to observe how the popularity of names can fluctuate over time, reflecting changes in cultural trends and preferences. Names like Abhinav, which experienced a surge in popularity and then a decline, provide an interesting glimpse into these shifts.